1 10 7 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/3170e7ec2cb7269ef44508fc51cb3a6c.pdf d7bf0d39c6ceb0d0a798f903179fa960 PDF Text Text I \ . St Doaatio11 VREET ur Progressive News Souli BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONL DECEMBER 2002 ~ Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �I / / rv l}~i,~' ~ December 2002 Huntington Meadows: Low-income housing complex saga continues Real Estate Developer Offer Rejected Everyi!lmily within the 1, 165 unit Huntington Meadows housing complex was recently evicted to make way for a project that will house middle and upper-middle class people. The current plan calls for tearing down all 58 affordable apartment buildings on the 65 acre parcel and build new homes for people who are more wealthy. The Huntington Meadows complex was deemed uninhabitable by the previous owners citing abestos and other problems with the buildings, which resulted in the eventual mass eviction ofall the low­ income tenants. The leaky pipes and abestos problems at Huntington Meadows were fixable. Budget Real Estate has owned several properties similar to Huntington Meadows around the country. The offer they made to purchase the housing complex was comparable to another company's offer. The difference is that Budget Real Estate would keep Huntington Meadows as affordable housing. Jorge Newbery, Budget Real Estate representative, also stated that he could double his offer with no problem, but doubted that it would be becuase the City w:as attempting to block the property from being used for affordable housing. There is further documentation in terms ofthe offer and the capability of Budget Real Estate Inc. to handle such a project as Huntington Meadows. Budget Real Estate has already ~ purchased the CQunterpart to Huntington Meadows, located in Columbus, called Woodland Meadows. Jorge Newbery, of BudgetReal Estate wrote: Our visit to Cincinnati on September 19th was very enhghtening. After meeting with the Vtce Mayor Alicia Reese s office and the Community Development ChiefPeg Moertl, we discovered that the City ofCincinnati is intent on limiting the supply ofaffordable housing within the City limits, · which, in my experience, appears to be a policy contrary to just about eve1y major city in the US. The City seems to hope that Huntington Meadows is demolished completely and converted to townhomes and single1amily residences, which will attract higher-income families ·and reduce the "burden" that the Oty feels saddled with when poor people reside within its borders. Thus, the City has apparently impressed upon Fannie Mae that they want to see a developer who shares the City~· vision for Huntington Meadows to be the purchase1: Therefore, Fannie Mae is reportedly proceeding with another developet: Honestly, even if the other developer were to f alte1; I do not believe that Fannie Mae would sell to Budget or any other affordable housing developer, unless the City s stance were to change. who has a track record ofturning I was in Columbus, Ohio around troubled projects. [on} Friday October 19, touring For me, I personally would the Woodland Meadows _have preferred making the deal in Apartments, which, as you know Cincinnati. However, we do not were owned by the same group as Huntington Meadows and suffered feel we were doing business on a level playing field in terms ofhow a shockingly similar fate. We intend to pursue the acquisition of · our offer was being evaluated. Thus we felt that business-wise the Woodland Meadows, using the most logical choice was to }ind financing which we had lined up another project and Woodland for Huntington Meadows. Jn dire Meadows appears to fit that bill contrast to Cincinnati, the sellers and City [of Columbus] appear to well. I wish you and the City be welcoming to a new affordable luck, especially the low-income housing develope1; particularly one residents ofCincinnati, as the challenges ofbeing poor appear to be compounded by living in a city that does not want you. The Huntington Meadows complex was deemed uninhabitable by the previous owners citing abestos and other problems withthe buildings, which resulted in the eventual mass eviction ofall the low­ income tenants. The leaky pipes and abestos problems at Huntington Jimmy Heath photos Meadows were fixable. Homeless Man Dies After He Was Set on Fire in Springfield by John Cartwright Dennis R. Wade, 47, suffered severe third-degree bums over 80 percent ofhis body as he slept on the front porch ofan abandoned house on August 13, according to Springfield Police Chief David Walters. Wade died from his injuries after eight days in the hospital. Walters said that he believed that Dennis Wade was doused with gasoline or lighter fluid and then set afire by person or persons unknown at that time. The flames on Wade were extinguished before the Springfield, Ohio, Fire Department arrived on the scene. ~ Dennis Wade reportedly told paramedics at the scene, "I can't believe they set me on fire." His brother, Johnny Wade, told the Springfield News-Sun newspaper immediately after the incident that he didn't expect his brother to survive the third-degree burns over 80 percent ofhis body. Wade's brother held out little hope that his brother would survive, and Dennis Wade died on August 21. ''He has no skin. The damage· is. done. He is not going to make it," Johnny Wade said onAugust 14. Johnny said that he had been asked to sign a do-not-resuscitate order by the staffat Miami Valley Hospital. "That is the choice they are giving Springfield paper. "This burn is not me." He told the reporter. "I don't trying to kill you, it's putting you in want to lose him. I can't bury him. I misery.". can't afford it. I'll figure something Reprintedfrom the August out." 2002 issue ofCleve/ands Dennis Wade was reportedly Homeless Grapevine. John sleeping on the porch ofan Cartwright is a former volunteer abandoned house in Springfield with the Northeast Ohio Coalition because be had nowhere else to go. for the Homeless. Springfield Police ChiefWalters said Hate Crimes Against the that the incident is being treated as a Homeless homicide, and are investigating the Over the past several years, circumstance to see if it is connected advocates and homeless shelter to another suspicious fire on August workers from around the country 3, 2002. "I can see people doing a lot ofthings to people, but this ... bum is Cont. on page 3 mi.sery." Johnny Wade said to the Hate Crimes.... GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS �STREETVIBES December 2002 Page 2 The ''Giving'' Season by Jimmy Heath During the holiday season, we see the spirit ofgiving manifest itselfin many ways. Here at the Homeless Coalition office in Over­ the-Rhine people ask us how they can volunteer to help the homeless. Every year it's the same; as the holidays approach, the volunteers start to pour in. One homeless man who stopped by the office recently for a cup ofcoffee remarked, "who are these people [the volunteers] and where are they the rest ofthe year, during the summer, or in the dead ofwinter after the holidays?" His question was not lost on me. Don't get me wrong - I think that all volunteers are important. The volunteers learn first­ hand and·are able to spread the word to their community. They take what they have witnessed back to the suburbs. And they lend a helping hand during part ofthe busiest winter months. But a staff member at a local shelter told me that after the season of giving has passed it is all they can do to keep the shelter running, especially during the summer months, when donations drop drastically, and volunteers disappear. During the winter, especially holiday time, they are booked up solid with folks.who want to come in and "serve food to the homeless." She had a complaint about the type ofdonations they receive at the shelter - used underwear, tom coats, furniture that was headed for the dump, spoiled food. "They think because it'.,c; for looking for a way ·to spot the unworthy beggars, and they are asking me to tell them how to do it. It's hard to give a straight answer anyway because I don't like to tell people how to give. How we give is a decision that needs to be made by the individual and the circumstances. What I stress in my conversations is that the real point ofcharity is not in judging the recipient, or giving with strings attached. When we encounter people on the street, these are real opportunities for us. People cross our paths for different reasons and we should be open to the possiblities ofthese chance encounters. The money we give them doesn't matter. Sometimes there are expectations that reinforce stereotypes - that come with the giving ofgifts to the less fortunate. We expect that the money we give won't be used for "getting high", that the receiver of the gift will be eternally grateful ~d ev!n~ submissive and that somehow we can change this person's life with 50 cents or a dollar or a bowl _afs rtainly people need those things, u o deep is our commitment ­ how do these small acts of Jimmy Heath photo giving address the fOQt .­ was painful to watch as my CaySes?-HOW-are-We to rffake a disheveled friend in his tattered deeper, more sustainable impact in clothes and confused state struggled the way our society treats the less to put on the coat while self­ fortunate? consciously posing for the man's We need to continue our camera. I've often wondered what small acts ofcharity and giving at the became ofthat photo and what was it shelters and on the street. It begins used for. with our individual encounters with When I talk to people about the stranger on the street. And in my work there is always the giving with grace, without strings attached, because it is the right thing inevitable question as to whether we should be giving money to to do. One question to ask yourself panhandlers. I think that some is not how much, or to whom, but why. people who ask that question are the homeless, we should be grateful for anything. They clean out their garages and bring it over here instead ofto the garbage." This exploration ofgiving also extends outside ofthe shelters. There is a young man I know who has a mental illness and spends a lot ofhis time on a bench in Washington Park. A while back, I watched as he was approached by a man who wanted to give this friend a new coat - but first he wanted to snap his picture wearing the new clothing. It · Streetvibes Vendor Code Each vendor must sign and agree to abide by the following code of conduct... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed for a $1 voluntary ..... donation. I agree not to ask for donations of more than $1. I also understand that I will be able to keep 80 cents ofeach dollar collected. 2. Streetvibes may onJy be purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH). Purchasing or selling unauthorized papers, or from other vendors, will result in termination from the program. 3. I agree that I will not ask for donations or attempt to vend after 12 midnight. 4. I agree to treat others with respect - other ven­ dors, customers, and GCCH personnel. 5. I will not sell Streetvibes while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 6. I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel threatened. 7. I agree not to deceive the pubµc by saying that I am collecting for a not-for-profit charity or that I am collecting for the "homeless" in general. I will be honest in stating that all the profits from the sale ofStreetvibes will go to the individual vendor. Falsely stating intent or otherwise misrepresenting is a violation of a.city ordinance and may be cause for arrest. 8. I will always present my badge when purchasing papers, and I will display my badge at all times while vending. Replacement badges are $5 each. 9. There are no territories. I agree that I will not contest territories with other distributors. I will not sell on private property without permission. 10. I understand that Streetvibes strives to be a self­ supporting paper created by people who are homeless or formerly homeless. To help in this effort, I will try to spread the word and write stories if possible. 11. I understand that failure to comply with any of the above statements will result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate a vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. �STREETVIBES December 2002 Page 3 North American Homeless Hate Crimes .... campus newspaper the Daily Trojan Cont. from page 1 News Digest (www.dailytrojan.com), the money byMolly Rhodes St. Alban'sEpiscopal Church in Southern California, has decided to take on the city ofEl Cajon rather than give up a Tent City on its property. The city wants the makeshiftencampment removed from the church parking lot, and is threatening to fine the church for various municipal code violations, according to the San Diego Union Tribune (signonsandiego.com). The church countered that there are no other places for the people livmg in the camp to go. The rector o.(St. Alban's, the Rev. John Conrad, approached the city council about the lack ofhomeless services in the area this summer, in response to which the council passed a non­ binding resolution to build two -­ shelters. Nothing has been done to create these shelters since then. 'The very moment there is alternative shelter, I will direct (the homeless) there," Conrad told the Union Tribune, "and physicallymove them myselfif! have to." Homeless peopleliving near UniversityofSouthern California will no longer get food through the recently defunct program·that had allowed USC students to use unused meal points at campus eateries to buy non-perishable food for local LOsAngeles shelters. Students who had formerly worked with the three­ year-old Feed with Flex program balked at the idea that USC's Hospitality Servjces, which runs the flexible meal point system, was trying to control how students spent their points, even ifit was on food for needy people. According to the on- Call for all Witnesses and video Tape ­ We need any and all witnesses who witnessed or video taped any of the arrests at the anti-war protest while President Bush was in Cincinnati .. Please contact: Brian Garry 236-4180 or by email at bgarry@fuse.net will now go to fund other Hospitality Services areas, such as overhead costs and keeping products in stock. Yet while LA-area homeless are losing a collegiate source offood, New Haven-area homeless are poised to gain one through local Yale University. According to the Yale Daily News (www.yaledailynews.com), the Yale College Council recently created the BringingReliefEvery Day program, or BRED, designed to give leftover dining hall food to the inhabitants ofa Tent City that has sprung up on New Haven Green next to campus. SophomoreLeila Rastegar beljeves giving the unused food to homeless people would be a better use for the food than to chuck it all away. The food will be picked up seven days a week by different meal programs throughoutthe city, incluclingtheYale Hunger and Homelessness Action . Project pantry and the Harmony Place CommunityCenter. Humanservices officials in Portland, ME, don't think they can carry on like they are much longer. Because the city offers the only homeless shelters and an emergency overflow plan in the state, their shelters are frequently filled to capacity with people who come from outside the city. City officials are lookingto other neighborhoods in the state to pick up some ofthe slack. The city'~ primary shelter has reached capacity 12 times since September, and the Preble Stteet Resource's soup kitchen has seen the number ofpeople it services every morning climb from 240 to morethan300. A one-night count ofthe homeless people this month in Edmonton, Canada, revealed there are more people living on the streets than in any other time in the city's history, according to · edmonton.cbc.ca. Although the exactfigures will not be released until the end ofNovember, the preliminary results from the work of almost 200 volunteers showed the greatest increase in the number of children who call the streets home. The total figure is expected to be more than 5,000. crimes/violence against homeless people, there is no systematic method ofcollecting and documenting such reports. Many ofthese violent acts have seen an alarming increase in go unpublisizedor unreported, making reports ofhomeless men, women and it difficult the true situation. Often, even children being killed, beaten, homeless people do not reportcrimes and harassed. In 1999, the National committed against thembecause of Coalition for the Homeless, along fear ofretaliation, mental illness, with its Civil Rights Work Group, a substance abuse, past incidents, or nationwide network ofcivil rights and frustration with police. homeless advocates, responded to The National Coalition for the this concern and produced the first Homeless is urging the Justice compilation ofhate crimes against the Department to maintain a database homeless. Cincinnati is one ofnine that addresses the issues ofviolence regional Civil Rights Organizing sites against the homeless population to in the U.S. better identify this growing trend. People who are forced to live The NCH is committed to creating and sleep on the streets are in the systemic and attitudinal changes extremely vulnerable situation, and necessary to end homelessness, but a the NCH feels that it is unacceptable major component ofthese changes that they are not protected by hate must include the societal guarantee of crime prevention laws. safety and protection and a Hate crimes are commonly commitment by lawmakers to combat called bias-motivated crimes, violent acts and hate crimes against referring to the prejuclice ofpartiality people who experience ·o fthe perpetrator against the victim's homelessness. Currently, there is no real or perceived grouping or federal criminal prohibition against circumstance. The National Coalition violent crimes directed at individuals for the Homeless (NCH) and the because oftheir housirig status. Cincinnati Regional Site relies on For more information visit news reports and homeless shelters the NCH website at around the country for the data and www.nationalhomeless.org, or call the documentation that it includes in the Greater Cincinnati Coalition its reports. Although the NCH acts for the Homeless, 421-7803 as the nationwide repository ofhate ~ationa1 f.fomeless Civil Rights Ol'ganizing Project (NHCROP) 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 hom~lesscivi lrights@yalioo.com f513) 421-7803 Presenting Our Volunteer Staff by Pat Mitchell, Volunteer Outreach Worker PatMitchell Send letters or comments to: Streetvibes@J~no.com,.''· or write the Coalition office attn: SheetvibesLetters, I506 Elm Sheet Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 I'd like to introduce myself My name is Pat Mitchell and I am a volunteer outreach worker at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, working with Cheryl Ware. on the Speakers Bureau and Streetvibes program. I have worked here before, doing the same job. I left to work at a homeless shelter, so I am capable ofhelping our vendors with referrals for food, furniture and housing, or whatever they might need. Ifyou are in need ofsome assistance, please contact me. �STREETVIBES Decem·b er 2002 THERE ISA NEW#lIN TOWN!! "New Number I vendor"? Frederick told me; d1ping his orientation he could "easily sell 900 papers in a months time." I told him to do it, and lo and behold he did! Frederick said he had New Vendor, New observed a female selling papers to a Number 1!! gentleman on the street. After the transaction, Frederick asked the man by Cheryl Ware ifhe could see the paper. Unfortunately, it was a City Beat "Hey Cincinnati", there is a newspaper; which we all know is new Number 1 Vendor in town; his FREE!!!. Later Frederick name is Frederick Morris. Frederick encountered one ofour Streetvibes came to Cincinnati by way of vendors and observed her selling Chicago. He hopes to return to technique. He asked how many Chicago sometime next year. papers she had, and bought two of Fredrick came to the them. He suggested to her to try coalition October 7 and signed up to talking to her customers about the be a Streetvibes vendor. Who knew content ofthe paper. He also asked when he came in the door, that less .how he could become a vendor. She than one month later he would be our told him about the coalition and how OfPain and Fabulous Wealth by Martha Stephens Coming home one day from the trial ofLynn Watts, (see A Day Jn Court, page 16) who was acquitted, in the end, ofdisrupting a public meeting, I met up with two incidents that seemed curiously related to the day in court. · I made my way to the bus terminal, and near the Public Library I was approached by a woman asking for money. I attempted to turn away from her, but finally I could not. Her face was wracked with pain and severe fatigue. She needed $4.80, she said, to buy her infant grand-daughter a gallon ofsoy milk. The child is allergic to cow's milk, she said. This grandmother offorty-nine had come downtown to seek help from a certain agency, but help would be slow, she said. She tried to explain her difficulties. "I have not changed these clothes in three days," she said. She looked at me intently as if judging whether she could tell me such things or not. "I have no underwear on ..... I don' t have the money to wash things ... I need groceries ...." No one should_have to tell a stranger such things. I could go with her to buy the soy milk, she said, and she rolled up her sleeve to show me that she did not do drugs. I gave her the cash I had with me, about twenty dollars. For this modest sum she blessed me over and over again, and her face was a picture ofreliefand JOy. Such encounters are, of course, an everyday occurrence in Cincinnati- but surely they do not need to be. On the bus down Reading Road to Paddock I counted the riders: fifteen A:fiican-Americans, one white - myself; and I remembered that in court we had seen in the jury five white men and three white women, plus one woman who was black. I sat up front beside an elderly black rider who had a sticker on which said Help the Elderly: Vote Yes on Issue Six. Th1s woman had been to a meeting at Findlay Market led by Todd Portune, hoping to head offan attempt to de-fund senior centers in Mt. Auburn and Over-the-Rhine. "They're all some people have," she said. "Otherwise people just stay inside; they never leave their apartments. My own sister did that." This citizen had lived in Huntingdon Meadows, as it turned out. When the mass evictions came this summer, by most accounts the largest forced exodus we have had in this city, she had been away visiting in Georgia and had been phoned the news by her daughter. It seemed unbelievable, she said. She had been Page 4 to sign up. He then went down the · street and sold those two papers. He was offered $5. 00 each for the papers. On October 7.. he signed up here at the Hornless Coalition office, and the rest is history. By October 31 ", Frederick had sold 958 papers, making him our "NEW NUMBER 1, TOP SELLING VENDOR!!" When asked what his selling technique was, he said, "You first have io get the customer to smile." "Once you do that, you begin to talk to them about the articles in the paper." Frederick also talks about the organizations )isted on the back cover of Streetvibes, and encourages his customers to contact the coalition office to volunteer. Here at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless we offer incentives to our vendors to sell the paper. For every 300 papers they purchase, they will receive 50 fre papers the.following month. We also offer opportunities to earn free papers by volunteering to help out around the office, active participation in the Civil Right Work Group, or submitting stories, poems, etc for publication in ti Streetvibes. These free papers however do not count toward the 50 free. Other vendors who received free papers this month were Grady Cook 887 Earlene Moreland 507 William Johnson 420 Terrial Pratcher 343 Mary Ann B ravo 310 Congratulation to these and ALL of our vendors. citizens to be shot down in the content in Huntingdon Meadows; streets. If there were decent jobs at her place was good and in aliving wage, decent places to live, reasonable repair; it was hard to understand why she must leave. No decent prospects in life for all ofus, frightened young men would not need drugs in her building, she.said; to be tracked down by other upstairs there were "poor people," as she described them, but no drugs frightened young men ... down dark allies ofno return. or disorder. Many know better than I do She had found another -~==---apartment that she thought would be tnarsociety1tsetr-sho11\d-be-b.eJQ -.,._ responsible for all such deaths and all' all right, but many others had no unneeded suffering. The.death of place to go, she said, and no ~me knows today where they are. I don 't Timothy Thomas had been a theme in court that day, and ofcourse thiS--­ know much, but I know this - ai:d shoollng was a tragedy in and ofitself like many others, have known it a - this youngster was not even a long time- that this is not the way violent offender; but this death has for people to live ...not in a country also become a symbol for offabulous wealth. We don't need all the wrongs we see about us, on to be experts on economics; we need only to look around us, and we our ow.n streets, perhaps, within our own families; and we need symbols know that everything is wrong and that concentrate our anger, our fear, that things could be profoundly our sense ofthe unnecessary different from what they are. nightmares ofmodem life we see We do not need pain and every day in the half-ruined cities of poverty and mass eviction. We do not need unarmed the U.S. Dick, I'm sure it's your turn to do the dishes tonight. �STREETVIBES December 2002 Reader Hail Page 5 .~ Dear Streetvibes,· but, I'm not really ofa mind to go I just read your article. While running all over downtown to find a I do not advocate violence against · vendor.... This is, therefore, all in non-violent protesters, you must regard to the October issue. We would like to hear from you understand the anger ofthose ofus in I must say, I was delighted to - please address letters and the suburbs. This so-called boycott see your first story, the picketing of is ran by white-hating racists. Of SenatorDeWine's office. (October, comments to; course, the Lynch crowd will say that 2002, page 1) While the story Streetvibes, blacks cannot be racist. What a doesn't say so, l gather from the fact 1506 Elm Street, bunch ofcrap! that there were pickets that some Cincinnati Ohio 45202 The problem in the inner city people were not happy with his (or) email to: is the lack ofa two-parent family and governmental services. I was not too Streetvibes@iuno.com a violent rap culture. I heard a happy with what were his statistic on the radio that a black girl governmental services some time ago; Letters Challenge the is more likely to get pregnant than but, I would have looked rather small Protestors graduate high school. So, what white picketing alone. Mr.Heath, In regard to the editorial person made her do it? At the end ofyour column inquiry, comments about the boycott: While racism is a fact and a (Oktoberfest Draws Record problem (on both sides ofthe aisle), This may be one few people would Crowds, and Protestors Too, the black community would rather offer. I'm not originally from October, 2002, page 2) you asked blame whites than take personal Cincinnati; therefore, ~ don't think it is what we think about the boycott. responsibility and make something of my place to be telling the people From my point ofview the worst thing their lives. (natives) ofCincinnati what to do about the boycott is that nobody As long as black leaders about THEIR town. It is THEY who understands it. When the media asks continue to blame the white man and will have to live with what they "people on the street" about it, no one not advocate personal responsibility decide. can answer. I am sure the media can in the.black community, folks like me On page 3 you had an take part ofthe blame but the will not care! interesting feature c.alled "Homeless organizers need to work harder at Regards, Steve · News Digest" which I thought "nifty" education. Isn't there at least and something you should continue. someone in the media who could help Among other things, it said a inform everyone? The public's image Where are the Streetvibes homeless woman is running for office Vendors? ofthis has become one ofchaos and (either directly or indirectly) against disruption. A couple ofthoughts for you Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Great I have tried to find out about to look over, answer, or whatever: idea. It should be duplicated, the boycott but haven't any more clue Could you not, with very little expanded or some such thing. about it than anyone else. What are effort, make sure there is a vendor There might be a couple of the exact goals? How do they regularly - like the first two days of more thoughts worth including here; the month or some such thing - at measure progress? Or lack ofit? but, this will take up enough space. What did they try before the boycott? certain pre-determined locations? Good issue. Hope you get the How much ofthe goals need to be Perhaps a half-dozen places already computer you want. met before they stop boycotting? frequently covered? Carolyn Meszaros Why did they pick the downtown? There was a person on a Merchants and festivals? What is the certain comer promptly at the first of editor responds; background ofthe problems that led every month for some time. Evidently In regards to your request to the situation they are upset about? the man managed to get a job, since for the placing ofvendors at a The questions could go on and on. .this month he was gone and no one predeterminedplace or time in the Thanks for taking time to read my replaced him until the 18th. I rather downtown area - we don 't manage concerns. like the newspaper and ifI can get territories for the vendors, we Jeff Hahn one I usually share it with a friend; leave it up to them to find their Support your local Street vibes Vendor! Know Your Rights Brochure Available! The Know Your Rights Brochure is now available at the Coalition's office. The brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati's homeless and covers a person's basic rights when interacting with the police, as weU as some local •i ft · laws that might be of interest to the ~' homeless population. If you are a ~1.t homeless person or if you work ~ · with homeless people and would ·.· like to obtain free copies of the •, brochure for yourself or your agency, please call 421-7803, or stop by the Coalition office and pick '' one up. ff f Your vendor keeps 80 cents of every dollar..... own placesfor selling Streetvibes. It may difjic_ull to sometimesfind a vendor and we are always worhng on ways to make the paper available to as many people as possible. One way to get Streetvibes is through a subscription, which will be mailed directly to your home, or you can stop by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless office in Over-the-Rhine at 1506 Elm Street. Pea/see Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine also has Streetvibes available for purchase. Each person has inside a basic decency and goodness. If he listens to it and acts on it, he is giving a great deal of what it is the world needs most. It is not complicated but it takes courage. It takes courage for a person to listen to his own goodness and act onit. Pablo Casals . Through Gandhi and my own life experience, I have learned about nonviolence. I believe that human life is a very special gift from God, and that no one has a right to take that away in any ca use, however just. I am convinced that nonviolence is more powerful than violence. Cesar Chavez Write Usl We'd like to hear f r om you .... · ., Send letters or comments to: Street vibes@Juno.com, or write t he Coalition off ice attn: Streetvibes Letters, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 �STREETVIBES December 2002 Page 6 Exploring issues of Homlessness In Our Nation's Capitol Xavier University Urban Academic Service Learning Group Get Firsthand Experience.in Washington, DC ~o w wants fair housing and better, more Afghanistan and will be spent in Akiem. He moved to the U.S. do you learn first-hand from Korea 10 years ago. accessible human services so his Iraq. And I wonder how much about the struggles of life in an family can have a chance ofgetting money is spent for the poor? Although he speaks very broken inner-city community like Over­ It was very ironic that after off the street. Before I could ask English and has been homeless tbe-Rhine? Xavier University Nicholas more about him and his spending an entire day since he moved here, he is filled devoted to Professor Bill Daily believes that homeless awareness with other with hope and gratitude. He liv ing and working in a community, life on the stre,ets, he turned the conversation to 01e, where I go to Xavier students, my friend Jon and spends his time being thankful for and having discussions with com­ what he has, instead ofworrying munity leaders and neighbors, is the school, what I study and what I like I were eating dinner at an Indian restaurant. Shortly after receiving and dislike. By the ti01e he finished about what he does not have. It is best way to learn and help a com­ asking all about me, I had to go our food, a lady approached us funny that by our society's munity make positive strides. It is asking where the closest homeless materialistic standards, I have a Jot catch up with my group. a great opportunity too for· the shelter was. Strangely enough, our more than Akiem, but, on a deeper I feel as ifthat five-minute students who work as volunteers conversation lasted two seconds. I group just returned from the largest level, he has so much more than I helping several neighborhood non­ do. profits do their work. The students know that it will stay with me for a homeless shelter in Washington lifetime. And even ifNicholas While I am truly grateful for D.C. Even though we gave her the learn about life in the community never gets to share his story with directions and that she was from all of the work being done to and are able to spread the message the world, he shared a tiny fraction the area, she insisted that we take educate our society, I am infuriated about the positive work going on, her that homelessness exists! I am ofhis life with me .... and challenged to the shelter ourselves. Jon as well as enrich their own lives and I once again explained to her me to be a voice for the voiceless. learning more facts, hearing more through the experience. Xavier stories and seeing more faces of how to use the public transporta­ University's Urban Academic Unsettling Dichotomy tion system and how easy it would homelessness. I am finding myself Service Learning Group maintains by Zakariah Wernecke angry and speechless that in such a be to find the building. We com­ an apartment on Race Street in Washington D .C. is such an promised settling on taking her and rich country and in our nation's Over-the-Rhine where the students ironic city. You walk around as a her belongings to the Metro stop capital, homelessness is a make their home for a semester. In tourist and you see the Capital, the (where she needed to get on). I am monumental problem that many do October, nine of the Urban Aca­ White House, the Lincoln and demic Service.Learning Group sure that she fou.nd her way to the not even see. In a nation built on Jefferson Memorials, and the shelter. equality, we are taught that the students got the opportunity to Washington Monument (such homeless are the exception to the travel ·to Washington DC, with rule. We are taught to ignore them Streetvibes editor Jimmy Heath and 01assive and expensive structures). Infuriated and Inspired Then you contrast that experience by Danyce Saul · to the point where they have Dr. Bill Daily. The purpose of the by exploring other parts of the I just spent five days in - become invisible! trip was to compare and explore district and you start seeing the -Washington, D.C. leaming about In D.C. , I learned that we are issues ofhomelessness in our homelessness. I am left confused, homeless resting in alleyways, all part_of the problem, so we nation's capitol. Here are the overwhelmed, heartbroken, sitting on benches in parks, and should all be part of the solution. I reflections of three of the travel­ wrapped in blankets on the sides of infuriated and inspired. It is am left asking, what is my role in ers... inspiring to see so many people streets. What an unsettling di­ ending homelessness? It is such a Nicholas' Story motivated and dedicated to ending chotomy. It is so hard to justify huge task, so I need to start simple. by Katie Meyer how America as a nation can stand homelessness! It was incredible to I have begun to see people without When I was in Washingfon, hear stories from people who have for the ideals of freedom and homes as individuals. Like Akiem, DC a few weekends ago, I met a made it out of homelessness and democracy when it can not even each person has their own story, young man named Nicholas. who are spending their time their own lessons to teach. All it help the well being ofits own Nicholas is 27, intelligent, educating others about their people. How can such a country takes is looking each person in the charming,handso01e,and with such a visible homeless experiences. Formerly homeless, eye, learning their name and homeless. This blonde-haired, as well as people who are currently speaking with them to recognize proble01 fight in a war over seas blue-eyed firecracker sleeps on the homeless, 4ave so much wisdom to that they are just like me. They, when it has problems that it needs street with his mother and brother. to first address at home? Billions share with us. too, deserve to be treated with By 8:30PM on a cold Saturday While walking in a park, I met respect and dignity. and billions ofdollars were spent in night, the three of them are huddled together under heavy-duty blankets on top of the closest beat grate they can find. While other 20-somethings are out bar-hopping or theater-going or doing any other Saturday night activity, Nicholas is trying to get some sleep and t1ying to keep his mother safe and warn1. He graduated from high school in DC and never went to college. After his mother and father separated when he was about sixteen, it was all he could do to work his butt off to help support his mother and brother. The three of them have been in and out of run down apartments, around the. block with slum landlords, and more-or-less homeless since Nicholas was 19. I asked Nicholas if he stays in any shelters in DC. He rolled his eyes, flashed me a sarcastic smile and told mw, "The warlords that run the shelters are no better than Donald Whitehead, (center), Executive Director ofthe National Coalition for the Homeless, walks the halls people who are in prison." He ofCongress with Xavier University group. �ST R EETVIBES December 2002 · Wish List - Can You Help? Streetvibes newspaper is published.monthlKon a shoe-string budget from. the offices ofthe Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Can you help us with some of the following items'? Page 7 A Great Holiday Gift.... Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine Limited Edition Print o Electric Stapler - Heavy duty o Blank CD-RW ,l)isks - For Streetvifjes. o Supplies for Vendor's Loun~e (~apertowels, cream and sugar, snack's, etc.) ··· · Cleaning Supplies o Office Supplies - floppies, copier paper and otl1er o supplies Now available, 18" X 24" poster-size print: Washington Park,. Over-the-Rhine, Wlntt:r 1999. Each print is individually signed by photographer . Jimmy Heath. Purchase benefits the children's Literacy Through Photography program at Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine. Posters are $10 each, plus $3 for shipping. Send your order and check to: ' Area Company Makes Generous Offer to Streetvibes Vendors Edwards & Kelcey Holiday Hug­ toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hats A-Vendor Program Kicks Off and gloves. Gifts will be delivered by Cheryl Ware, Streetvibes Vendor and distributed the week before Coordinator Christmas. Peaslee Neighborhood Center One afternoon late in Thank you to Edwards & ' ,· Attn: Photography Program Kelcey, and every one else.who October our organization was 215 East Fourteenth Street have donatedJto the Coalition to contacted by a young lady stating help the homeless of Greater she and the company she worked Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati all year long. In closing, for would like to buy gifts for the .._ or call (5! 3) 621-5514 for more information please allow me to remind you that Streetvibes newspaper vendors. She identified her selfas Sheri those in need, are in need year Johnson and the company was round, not just during the holidays. National Homeless Civil Rights Organ.izing So in a couple of months when the Edwards & Kelcey. Christmas gifts have lost their Each holiday season Project (NHCROP) luster, and the batteries are dead, Edwards·& Kelcey chooses an -1506 Elm Street organization to help out during the and you are ready to pitch items Cincinnati, OH 45202 holidays. We are blessed and you have lost interest in, stop and this year they chose the if someone else could use or thankful think homelesscivi lrights@yahoo.com benefit from it and donate it to your Greater Cincinnati Coalition for (513) 421-7803 favorite charity. the Homeless and the Streetvibes vendors. Edward & Kelsey is lo­ cated on Fair Lane, with a staff of approximately 30 people. Thirty people, with generous hearts wiWng to give to strangers to make sure they (our vendors) have something for Christmas. Sheri Johnson, spokesperson for the firm stated in the past they have do­ nated to an Over-the-Rhine church and a residential home for AIDS patients. Vendors who are actively selling the newspaper, and support­ ing Streetvibes and the coalition have been selected to receive the necessities they need for the holidays. .Many need what we take for granted everyday; personal care items, long johns, blankets a1;1d food. I was surprised the requests were minimal, many vendors asked for very littJe. They simply need the bare necessities. They do not need name brand, "Right now I'd settle_for some Homeland Job Securitv." high-end expensive items, merely ____________________________________________ �STREETVIBES December 2002 Page 8 Sell Cleveland to Settle Ohio's $4 Billion Deficit Dispatch from Cleveland Cleveland Homeless Grapevine by Brian Davis Ohioans have heard the projections for a $4 billion deficit by the end ofthe next fiscal year, and we have not heard very many credible solutions. As a public service, The Homeless Grapevine newspaper has come up with a solution: Sell Cuyahoga and surrounding cou_nties to Michigan for $5 billion. We have recently sent a letter to Michigan governor John Engler asking what steps we would need to take to initiate this change within the political boundaries. Michigan is the best state to buy Northeast Ohio because they are familiar with having a non­ contiguous geography. Lake County has a couple offine lighthouses, and Michigan is the the greatest hardship, with the state state with the Jargest number of budget balanced on the backs of lighthouses. Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the poor people. world and wquld only be The truth is that those of us augmented by Cuyahoga and Lake in Northeast Ohio have more in Counties. Michigan has some common with Michigan than we do wonderful city names including with Ohio. We are much more Bad Axe, Eden, Hell, Paradise, socially responsible than our strip Podunk, and Slapneck. Best of all, mining friends ofSouthern Ohio. it is iliegal in Michigan to kill a dog We are a union friendly environment, as is Michigan. We do using a decompression chamber. not understand how the state house The reality is that we face was hijacked by rural farmers and declining tax revenue in Ohio, in used car salesmen who don't give a part because in years past our crap about poverty. legislature gave surplus money Ohio has a larger population, back to taxpayers instead of but only 68% of the population own building the capital and infrastructure needed. The Ohio homes. Michigan has a 73% legislature is terrified ofthe words homeownership rate. With only 175 "tax increase," and has a court. people per square mile versus mandated I.O.U. to the schools. In overcrowded Ohio's 277 people per square mile, there is much more 2002, Ohio solved its deficit problem by raiding one-time-only space in Michigan for our homeless pools of funds (tob~cco settlement, population. Michigan had more housing starts in 2000 compared to rainy day fund, welfare surplus, Ohio despite their smaller etc.) When they go to the population, again benefiting our cupboard this year, however, they will find it bare. We anticipate that homeless population. We would move to a state poor and homeless people will face Local Schizophrenia/Schizo-affective Research Study * Financial Compensation * 45 years and over * Symptoµis of depression * 13 visits (513) 861-3100 ext 4187 or toll free (888) 267-7873 ext 4187 that does not have the death penalty, treats its welfare recipients with a little more respect, and does not have the problem of routinely allowing federal dollars to bypass the state. We are proposing that Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Medina Counties become the lower peninsula ofMicliigan. We anticipate beginning a petition drive to put this on the ballot in March, well before the end of the Ohio fiscal year. The Ohio legislators tell us that .we need to treat the Ohio budget more like our personal budgets and cut when times are tough. This is ~ctually not how the real world works. When times are tough we not only cut our expenses, but we get second jobs and have a garage sale. Since it is unlikely our legislators will get second jobs to raise $4 billion, we will need to stage the largest garage sale in history: we' ll sell Cleveland. Reprinted from the August 2002 issue ofClevelard's Homeless Grapevine. The GCCH would like to thank these Starbucks loeations for their generous donation of coffee and pastries: 11379 Montgomery Road (513) 469-1111 3366 Erie Avenue East Hyde Park (513) 533-3402 7896 Montgomery Road (513) 891- 7740 "May we borrow your credit card? We 're having trouble meeting the ayroll this week." �Page 9 STREETVIBES D ecember 2002 1Bienvenidos! by Samantha Broclifield vivienda perrnanente, los servicios medicos, los servicios sociales, los lugares donde Ud. puede obtener comida, y los servicios de salud mental. Nosotros creemos que es importante que Ud. sepa cuales son sus derechos civiles como p.trsona sin hogar. Tenemos folletos que los explican. Nos gustaria que Ud. nos visitara algun dia para que le podamos dar servicios mejores. Para reunirse con La Coalicion: 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 www.cinci.com/ gcch Ahora Streetvibes esta dedicando una pagina .a su comunidad. Este es el peri6dico escrito para crea.r una conciencia de las personas sin hogar, la injusticia social, y la pobreza en nuestra cuidad. Es la hora que se oye la voz de usted. lHa pasado algo emocionante en su vida recientemente? l Tiene Ud. unas ideas que quiere publicar? lHa escrito algun tipo de poesia? Streetvibes quiere publicar sus historias, su poesia, su prosa, y sus pensarnientos. Hay personas que Para ayuda, llame- Su Casa pueden ayudarle a escribir y Ministerio Hispano preparar todo para redactarlo. (513) 761-1588 Tarnbien, Ud. puede ser un 115 W. Seymour Ave vendedor de Streetvibes y ganar Cincinnati, Ohio 45216 dinero. La Coalici6n de Greater Cincinnati provee el peri6dico San Damiano House- Los para las personas sin hogar en -Hermanos de Las Personas Pobres Over-the-Rhine. El meta de la (513)241-8585 coalici6n es elirninar la situaci6n de 923 Bank St personas sin hogar, con respeto a la Cincinnati, Ohio dignidad y diversidad de sus 45214. miembros, las personas sin hogar, y Tambien, hay una lista de lugares (para el refugio, la vivienda, el la comunidad. La Coalicion y sus miembros pueden darle a usted lo tratamiento medical, y otros siguiente: el refugio de emergencia, servicios) en la ultima pagina del peri6dico. las habitaciones provisionales, la Peaslee Neighborhood Center Presents A Holiday Concert and Boutique Saturday, December 14, 2002 at 3:00 P.M. At St. Francis Seraph Church, 1615 Vine Street (NW corner o.f Liberty & Vine Streets-Over-the­ Rhine) Featuring The Over- the-Rhine Youth Steel Drum Band The Peaslee Piano Players The Mallet Music Makers And Peaslee Poets A $5 or Affordable Donation Appreciated Be sure to visit the "boutique" fable before and after the concert for crafts and other items for holiday gift-giving! Call 621-5514 For More Information The Music Programs at Peaslee Neighborhood Center are funded in part by The City of Cincinnati. The Ohio Arts Council. The Keyboard Club and The Fine Arts Fund. Extra! Extra! Advertise in Streetvibes! Reach thousands of downtown workers each month! Call 421-7803 for more information about how advertising in Streetvibes will work Jor your business_ We Can Be Proud! ,Judge MARK PAINTER Ohio Court of Appeals The Most-Published Hamilton County Judge Ever! Our own Judge Mark Painter has reached a milestone­ 250 of his decisions have been published nationally. He is the most~published Hamilton County judge ever, and one of the most-published Ohio judges in history. Judge Painter has: • Served on the Court of Appeals for seven years, after 13 years on Municipal Court. His opinions have been recognized as legal precedent more than 2000 times-­ in cases, textbooks, and encyclopedias. • Written 52 articles on appellate practice, sentencing, DUI, contempt, and legal ethics. He writes a monthly column on legal writing for Ohio Lawye!S Weekly. • Taught 85 seminars for judges, lawyers, and police officers, and is an Adjunct Professor of Law at U.C. • Authored the textbook Ohio DUI Law, now in its 12th edition. His other book. The Legal Writer: 30 Rules for the Art of Legal Writing, was published in June. www.Judgepainter.org f>•.id for by The Judge Painter CoMtnlttee, Greg Ruehtmann. Chair, 312 Walnut. St., Clndnnatl Volunteef:, · Opportunities at the Greater Cincinnati for Coalition .. the Homeless .... ... There are numerous opportunities for volunteers at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. We are willing to work wJth each individual in choosing a service opportunity that is right for them. The foJJowing are a few of the areas in which the Coalition could use your help: Desi'gning a web .site for .o ur National Civil Rights Organizing Project. This would include working with two Americorp Vista volunteers on how to prevent further criminalization ofl1omeless individuals as well as preventing the increasing hate crimes against them. To enhance our Streetvibes program, we are searching for volunteers to s~licit advertisements from local businesses. lf your business or a business you know o£would like to advertise in our paper, we offer very cornpetiti-~e rates for ads that .reach about 15,000 people per ·· _month! t>ur dream volunteer would be a self-motivated volunteer that would like to fundraise for our organization. This could include asking your friends and family for donations to researching anckwriting g rants for our excellent progn1ms. The Streehlibes newspaper project is always in need ofpeople interested in writing articles on social justice/poverty issues. We need help in the afternoons at the front desk, an~wering phones and handling tran~actions with our Streetvibes Vendors. This person will address the needs ofvisitors, having direct contact with homeless individuals and should.be available one afternoon a week. There is always a need for help with bulk mailings. For Streetvibes, .there are monthly mailings. Other mailings include the annual report, quarterly newsletter, and various capitol campaigns. lf you are interested in volunteering at th~ Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, please contact the office at 4~ 1-7803 , or visit us at 1506 Elm Street in Over-the­ Rhine. �STREETVIBES December 2002 Page 10 The-Peace Village The City Faces New Cha~lenges .in the Peace Process by Dr. Steve Sunderland councilpersons, and the mayor calling for _a cooling off period, a chance to My musings earlier last month reevaluate, and, a moving forward on got interrupted by a set of explosions the spirit ofthe agreement while in the peace process in Cincinnati. getting to know Dr. Kalmanoffand As many ofyou know, Cincinnati his staff. My letter and another one signed a peace treaty a few months were printed in our local newspaper, ago with its police, city government, "The Enquirer," and there has been the Black United Front, and, the no further news about either Dr. American Civil Liberties Union. The Kalmanoff, a meeting between all of treaty calls for implementation of a the parties, and/or any actions by the police-community agreement to both judge. problem solve and supervise What I have learned from this is relationships between police and another lesson in how difficult it is to citizen groups. All ofthese polices move into the substance ofpeace were to be supervised by a work. The signing ofthe agreement "monitor," eitherjointlyagreed upon occurred only because ofa by the parties or settled upon by the compromise by the City concerning Federal judge ifthe parties could not 'the payment ofthe plaintiffs lawyers' reach agreement. Following two fees. Now, the appointment ofthe extensions to permit the parties to supervisor ofthe peace process has reach agreement that were been placed in jeopardy for reasons unsuccessful, the judgefinally decided not all together clear. Developing a last month on Dr.Alan Kalmanoff, mutual and connected peace process University ofCalifornia Jaw professor ofall ofthe parties, including the and a team ofcriminal justice experts. police and the community groups, . Dr. Kalmanoff seems as difficult came to town, a step to achieve "The attitude ofthe city's met with the as anything. The mayor and the peace process, I leaders revealed such a council, suggested am learning, hostility to peace with that he needed requires a period Kalmanoff that little more time to see ofpeace work just how much where discussions seemedpossible... " time would be about issues in needed for full implementation, even conflicts, requires efforts and a time suggested that the extent ofhis work to make peaceful and trusting might even depend upon compliance relationships, and, most importantly, ofthe parties, and, le.ft town. The requires an attitude ofpeace, ifpeace arrival ofhis bill for 3 weeks work is to have a chance ofgrowing in the has been met with a firestorm of overheated and violated ground on protest by our mayor and the city which we all stand. I had the feeling council, charging Dr. Kalmanoff with that I had.lost this last point as the listing so many "horrors" as to month's actions seem to overwhelm endanger the agreement and the any thought that Dr. Kalmaiioffcould credibility ofthe council. So, in one be a positive force for peace in our ofthe..few unanimous actions in city. The attitude ofthe city's leaders recent history, the council and the revealed such a hostility to peac~ with mayor voted to immediately terminate Kalmanoff that little seemeCI possible. his contract and not pay his bill. Only the restoration ofsome other The immediate response ofthe perspectives by the Black l.::Tnited other parties were to accuse the city Front andACLU's spokespersons, council and mayor ofacting without seemed to change some ofthe consultation and inappropriately since climate. (ed note: Dr. Kalmanoff the agreement calls for all four parties has since resigned as monitor in to meet and discuss any problems. the federal settlement.) Dr. Kalmanoff has indicated he will The cross-burning and gay not continue to work unless he is bashing that took place surrounding paid. Thejudge has remained silent. Miami University had some important As many of news this week. you know, I have Four high "school "Dr. Kalmanoff has . been involved teens were 'indicated he will not with the police­ charged with the community continue to work unless cross-burning. conflict even Why these he is paid. The judge has before the riots of students.did these remainedsilent... " April, 2001, as actions is to be part ofthe ARIA explored and process to work on racial profiling. I whether they were connected to the continued to be involved after the hate email aimed at gays and lesbians, agreement was signed as chair ofthe is still to be determined. I am sure Citizens United for a Fair Settlement. that team members in Oxford, Ohio, I worked all week to get letters have more information and will give written to the judge, the us reports as they learn more going through our fear, through our information. distrust ofgovernment's·actions, These events go into the focal, through our anger at the regional and national news that adds incompetence ofour Democratic numbing fo our post-9/11 events and leaders, and going toward a spirt ofa feelings. Tcannot remember a time tender-hearted peace movement. when so many terroristic and Not to say this this would be easy or irrational events have seemed to avoiding tough issues. Ray spoke come at the same time. Making eloquently ofhis process ofbecoming sense ofsue}). events, even ifthere is a conscientious objector in WWII no conceivable connection, is a and how difficult it was to reach that daunting task, as each day brings a decision. I asked him about whether new story ofh.o rror. I feel that this he had ariy regrets, especially since recognition ofthe social numbing, so many ofEuropean Jews and accompanied by new assaults, may others were exterminated and even offer us some ofour most important more would have died ifthe allies had work as a Peace Village in the not stopped Htler's war machine. coming weeks and months. Ray did not hesitate with his tough Attending an answer: "The interfaith group, Peace-seekers, "/continued to feel that atrocities"could have driven me to chaired by Rev. tenderness was also suicide, but not to RayWoodruff . the military." made me smile needed, a kind of with wonder as a tenderness that could be "What an unusual statement of group came together to speak defined, built upon, and strength," I ofpeace, amidst expanded as a source of thought to myself Others suggested the storm ofall of resistance and as a that we look, too, our recent events. teachingfor a society · into Gandhi's It is too easy to tough non-violent minimize the that could turn to stances, and, of importance of productive acts of course, Martin such groups, cartng... " Luther King's especially when we have to deal approaches. with what seems like a call to the We continued to talk ofwhat might be needed in a peace president and congress for a more aggressive stance toward Iraq. Yet, I movement for today, with our complexities making it important that feel that the president has altered his we not lose sight ofthe horror facing plans for attack since the peace many people, both here and in other movement organized so many statements ofcaution, and resistance. parts ofthe world. I continued to feel that tenderness was also needed, a Who would have thought we would kind oftenderness that could be have seen the UN Security Council debate and vote just two months ago defined, built upon, and expanded as a source ofresistance and as a and/or to see the new Powell teaching for a society that could tum doctrine being implemented? The to productive acts ofcaring. Team peace movement, whatever we are, can take some credit for keeping the member Jane Yolen's two books on the holocaust war out ofthe were in my mind Middle East and, "Ifeel that this as I reflected on perhaps, other places in the recognition ofthe social how we can construct a peace world. We spoke numbing, accompanied movement that did at our little by new assaults, may not lose it's heart. meeting ofmany ofthe topics of I offer us some ofour most thought ofthe door in"The the day, agreed to important work as a Devil's meet again, and Peace VU/age in the Aritlunetic," that even sang a version of"God theyoung girl coming weeks and Bless America" walks out of, . months..." going from her with new lyrics by Monica and Ray comfortable l 990's Passover service, to the · Woodruff. ("God bless the whole streets ofa Polish village, in the early wide world, planet we love! Stand 1940s, about to be captured by the and guide us, through beside us, war's nigh to the light, filled with love. Nazis. In a powerful way, September 11 has been such a door FromAmerica, toAfghanistan, or to for me, as I find .myselfin a world that Tokyo, or to Rome, God guide us, everyone, tq make earth home! God with all, everywhere, .to make earth P('.ace Village.... home!") (Watch out Seegar family!) Cont. on page 13 I sensed that this meeting was . �STREETVIBES December 2002 Page 11 The Grea er Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless cordially invites yOu to attend their Annual Dinner "Many Missions, One Heart" Saturday, Dece1 mber 14, 2002 6:30pm Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church Kathy Wilson of CityBeat, Keynote Speaker Silent Auction , Split-the-Pot Raffle, Dinner, Fun To Be Added to the Guest List, Please send $15 Payable to: Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Ho~eless ..... 1506 Elm Street ­ Cincinnati, OH 45202 . . • Consider Sponsoring Dinner for a Homeless Individual-for a $15 donation or Have Your Company Sponsor A Table for $120 " . Please Call Brendan Goodwin at 513.421 .7803 with any questions �STREETVIBES December 2002 Page 12 Home Free: the Short, Happy Life of Tyrone Douglas Lewis by Davida G Breier Earlier this year my mother was reeling from another disastrous visit with my long-lost sister. We've been attempting to build a relationship for three years, with nothing more than a shaky foundation of blood relations. My mother was nearly broken from the attempts. She had seen a man standing around in Aberdeeµ, obviously homeless. He never begged, but he was visible on the highway and in the park behind the library. It was the start of a hot summer that would boast days upon days of temperature~ exceeding 90 degrees. The man, who was dressed in multiple layers of clothing, was noticeably suffering in the heat. She brought him some clean clothes, hoping this might help, but he simply added them to the layers. Concerned for his wellbeing, she began to stop and see him regularly, giving him cold drinks and a little cash here and there so he could get what he wanted from the convenience store. Then one day she decided to make a plate offood for him lild took it to him down at the park. He had been scared and shy around her, but this simple acknowledgement that he was hungry opened a door. He hadn't had food regularly until she started to bring him..dinner. They began to talk more and more. She would bring him at least one meal, sometimes two, snacks, and cold drinks. She'd continue to try and get him to take some of the layers offby bringing him new clothes, but they were either added to the huge duftle he .carried or tucked inside his jacket where he carried Photo Views Fountain Square, Downtown Cincinnati... Photo by Anthony Dent his soda and water bottles. He only asked for one thing : a small transistor radio. He would listen to it all the time, often playing classical music. She would learn his name was Tyrone, that he was from Connecticut, and that he was still suffering from gunshot wounds inflicted when he was asleep in his sleeping bag. At a distance Tyrone could appear imposing, standing over six feet tall and made bulkier by the multiple layers of clothes. He always wore a hooded jacket and knit cap pulled tight around his face. He had a dark complexion, and between that and his hood of his jacket, there were times his face was all but impossible to see. My mother looked straight past the exterior and saw a hungry, terrified man w ho needed both help and friendship. The Aberdeen police, three cops in particular, started harassing him. They chased him from place to place around town, threatening to arrest him if he didn't move on. The temperature was in the high 90s, and it was obvious he was both sick and suffering mental problems. My mother, who was in ·contact with a shelter in the next county, offered to drive him to a new location where he could be safe. They, like so many of the agencies she contacted, were a dead end. He disappeared over the Fourth ofJuly weekend. My mother was frantic. It took some doing but he was tracked down at the Harford County Detention Center. His crime: littering. When the police chased him from the small, seldom-used public park behind t~e library he was forced to leave behind the blanket my mother had given him. The police, eager to "get rid of the problem," charged him with littering and slapped a $50 fine on him that he obviously couldn't pay. They issued a warrant and arrested him. We arranged for him to be released into my mother's custody. This was July 9, 2002. Not knowing what el$e to do, she moved him into our home. I am going to admit there was some resistance to this arrangement, but she was detennined, no matter what, to help this man. In the weeks following his absorption into our home they became good friends. It became apparent he was autistic, with other unknown medical and physical problems. It turned out he loved watching movies as much as she did, so they frequently rented videos or went into Bel Air to catch a matinee. She told me he would often clap at the end of the movies. He liked Wesley Snipes action movies, as well as Robert Altman films. The more she got to know him, the more she saw he was like a child. He was a very gentle man. Sensing that my mother was having trouble crossing a high bridge (one of her fears), he offered to hold her hand. On another occasion he made her stop the car so he could place an inch worm on the ground where it would be safe. At the flea market one morning I caught him playing in a rain puddle. They were both survivors of childhood abuse. For Tyrone this meant an overriding fear of people. He would barricade his door and windows at night. My mother gave him a key for the bedroom door, so he could feel safe at night. He was afraid or shy around the rest of us, so we didn't get a chance to know him like she did. . He' d have good days and he' d have bad days. He loved my mother 's van and he'd often ask to go for a ride. She took him to a nearby state park and he said it was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. On other days he would hide in.the room, refusing to come out. He would often rock or tremor when. he was scared or nervous. ·He was ashamed ofthis and tried to hide it as much as he could. We realize now he probably had a seizure disorder, which is common in people with autism. It was obvious he needed to see a doctor but he refused. Far from being one-sided, their friendship helped my mother as well as Tyrone. In recent weeks my mother had taken a great deal of ribbing because she had begun to cook huge meals for him. None of us had ever seen her cook like this before. He didn't bat an eye when he found out he had been eating as a vegetarian for months. Tyrone told her he was in care of some kind as a child, state or·foster - it was never made clear. Recently he told her that this was the happiest he could remember being since he was a child. He bad never stayed at a motel until last month when she took him with her to an antique show in Virginia. He apparently had never had anyone care for him like this. She'd try to do a little something to make him happy each day, even if it was a simple little gift, and she did. They often spent the evenings watching movies in his bedroom. Last night my mother and I went out for a few hours, to spend a little time together. When we arrived home about 10:30 p.m. she knocked on his door, but there was no reply. Ifhe was having a bad day this wasn't unusual. She . came into my bedroom to talk to me about the situation. She feared his mental health was getting worse lately. He hadn 't wanted to leave the room for several days. She decided to get the other skeleton key and open the door. It looked like he was asleep on the bed. He didn't respond. He was cold to the touch. We called 911. The paramedics, who arrived a few m.inutes later, said he had been dead for abqut six to eight hours. They remembered picking_him up over the winter and taking him to the hospital. He had been living in a vacant lot, wrapped in three sleeping bags, exposed to the elements, and lying in his own waste. Though he refused treatment the first time, the second time he was unconscious and they were able to take him to the hospital. Tyrone had massive sores all over his body, and he had somehow interpreted these sores to be gunshot wounds. He spent months recovering in the hospital, explained the paramedic, wi.th an injury to his Achilles tendon so bad that he was left with a permanent limp. The paramedic was especially nice. The state trooper and coroner arrived next. Both were very compassionate. The coroner even started crying when she heard the whole story. She said it was the first time this had ever happened on a call. We have so many unanswered questions. His background is still a mystery. It is �STREETVIBES December 2002 · unknown how long he was on the streets and what aJI had happened to him. He was 47 years old, but his body appeared much older. His death may have been caused or mitigated by the heat, or from any one of many health problems. He said he wasn't feeling well, but he never said what was wrong or that he thought it was serious. It is also likely he was hiding how sick he was, so he didn't have to leave or go to the hospital. If my mother hadn't taken him in, it is likely he would have died on the street. His unclaimed, unknown body would have been donated to science, something this fearful, shy, modest man would have abhorred . We will have him cremated. He will be remembered. Most ofthe questions will remain - joined by sorrow. Last night about 4 a.m. my mother asked me to write about Tyrone. She wanted people to know who Tyrone was. She wanted people to stop and consider the person under the plastic tarp, 7 layers of clothing, or cardboard box. She is angry and mournful that Tyrone and people like him are invisible in our society. Most importantly, she wants people to know that this tragedy could have been avoided if someone had ·seen Tyrone and helped him sooner. Last week I gave a speech where I credited my mother with teaching me compassion. I think she could teach all of us a thing or two on the subject. Davida G Breier lives in Maryland. In Memory of Tyrone Douglas Lewis Peace Village.... Cont. from page 10 has little connection to the world just before the planes were . crashed. For many of us, at least as recorded jn so many posters, there has been a heart breaking experience of looking at the here and now as one serious act of terror after another, with the door opening even wider to show us the anthrax realities, the pressure of a "homeland defense, "the snjper, the war in Afghanistan, and the continuation of the war propaganda. Where is there room for tenderness, for acts of service that suggest a solidarity with the human condition that has been deeply violated, and, with others, perhaps many, who seek a non- Streetvib~s Page 13 In peace, shalom, salaam, vrede, military set of actions that are kiss to those who are wondering if grounded in the kind of affection our efforts really will make any Tubman .... so readily apparent in the many difference in the larger peace Dr. Steve Sunderland, effort. Choosing to "kiss" the activities ofthe Winton Place professor ofSocial Work at the figure of peace in our work, opens Youth Center, the Open House University ofCincinnati, is the efforts, the work of Doctors us to the chance to see the deeper Director ofthe Peace Village, possibilities for a kind of peace Without Borders, the work of a group ofindividuals from those in Nigeria for the orphanage that may not be ever obtained. the national and international for both Islamic and Christian Yet, we go on, one poster after community committed to another, one peace effort of youth, and in so many activities of examining all issues for peace friends working to understand the youth and adults continuing to in the world. Dr. Sunderland work in service? I feel that the efforts ofconscientious objection, also heads up Posters for one act of bringing respect to making of the posters is an act of Peace which engages people tenderness, a simple and gentle elders now in threatened symbol of some emotion that can be shared, within a group, and find by irrational expressing costs and respect, meaning,and support for their the questions of how to go dangers, one visions of act of through this door that has been peace, in operung our opened to us. Jane's book their own door to the describes the journey of someone words, orphans1 to going through the horror of the through Hplocaust as a young person, a the battered, the to the youth who grows up seeing ·creation prejudiced, horror replaced with individual ofposters. and to the acts of caring, before the forces of evil suffocate these acts and not isolated. of tenderness. Our the memory efforts within the Peace Village are also through this door, asking each of us what we can do, now, to make our time, a time. of young adults are invited to learn Peaslee Neighborhood Center, construction of the Peace Village 215 Bast 14th Street> hosts lots · basic photography skills through for all. Some of my old friend$ are coming back with some of arts opportunities for adults introd~ctory co,urses provided at strategies for making and children to learn skills Peaslee. Call the Center for organizations that might be such as playing a steel drum or class schedtiles. contributing to a kind of peace piano, photography, mafing that is not false, with justice, and, mosaic art, or writing. Any Wdting - :Any young person in without overriding fear, and resident of Over-the-Rhine or the Greater Cincinnati area may continual victimization. I am the West Enu is welcome! All submit poems and/or articles yia happy to reconnect with these email for publication :in sessions are FREE, including great thinkers and designers and ins~ction and materials. No Streetvibes. Content should be look forward to sharing their previous artistic experience related.to homelessness, ~ocial work, Lew, Al, Harry, Mel, Bill, necessary. Contact Brenda Z. · justice, or poverty-related Ron, Nurete, David, and others, issues. at 621-5514 for more with the Peace Village. Just as I want to hear more from Namaah's information. important work with the Reform Call For New Arts Advisory Jewish high school in Israel, OTR Steel prum Band -Learn Committee Me~bers! -The Emmanual's serious work with Arts Advisory Committee is how to play the steel drums in Jos, Nigeria, Tamara and Maria looking for representatives from an introductory series for and Lisette's important work in adults. Parents may bring their the neighborhood and the arts the Netherlands, and, the ongoing childien (age 9 and up) to·learn and business communify. -This work with the ·homeless ofJimmy, committee helps to formulate "together if they like. and the efforts of Steve to the direction and development Participants will learn steel connect, tenderly, the children of ofPeaslee's arts programs. dnuntechtrique,rhytlnns, and the affluent of Cincinnati with how to read music. those in greatest need. Looking For New Sta.f f - · We are through the door, friends, and as Thich Nhat Hahn Community Mosaic Art Peaslee is also looking for new ' reminds us, we are mindful of for the piano Project - Community members music instructors each step toward and in peace. are corrling together to make and the mallets program. This is There is a moment in Jane Yolen 's mosaic art for.the Over-the.. a wonderful opportunity to get "Briar Rose," when the "dead" Rhine neighborhood. The involved in teaching music in a Jewish girl, gassed and thrown in organizers ate looking for ideas fun and rew¥ding setting. a pile of bodies, is brought back to for the next project. 'Forward ' Anyone mterested in any of Life, through mouth to mouth your ideas to Brenda Z. these opportunities, contact breathing, a kiss, by a member of Brenda Z. at Pe«!islee, 215 East the resistance. It is another door Photography- Over-the-Rhine 14th'Street, Ov~r-the-Rhine, to think about as we go on with 621-5514._ and West End teenagers and our work, as we try and offer a ART, MUSIC, AND WRITING OPRORTUNITIES.! exists as a forum for the expression ofthe views and opinions ofour readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those ofthe Streetvibes staffor the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �STREETVIBE S Decem ber 2002 Art&Poetry Christmas Eve, 2001: 6. For the Travelers by Mike Henson 1. A Fall of Snow Outside my window, a crisp, silent snow, the first in this strange season. The kitchen light flares against the glass and I cannot see the snow, but moments ago I stood in the yard. Snow curtained the woods beyond the yard. Cold snow touched its·fingers to my cheek. The frosted grass cracked beneath my shoes. Deep in the woods, the deer shook out their coats, bent at the knees, and settled like Benedictines into their cold beds. 2. Poverty and Birth This is the season when we honor poverty and birth, when we tell a story of the homeless and the cold, small people hustled out onto the roads by the whim ofthe powerful. Tiberius Enron. This is an old, old story. 3. Sick at Heart Day by day, the television flares with images of a ruining world and children huddle in the rubl;?le of a half dozen nations, George Bush, dutiful son, conjures gifts for the Magi. We stumble through the portals of a brutal new century and I am sick at heart. And so, I have turned at this late hour to the silence ofthis fall of snow. 4. Midnight Mass When I was a child this was the hour when we bundled together for Midnight Mass. The church was crowded, pew by pew. I sat beside my father and we sang together, hymns to the plaster child in his bower of pine. 5. A Sign Sometimes I think Herod found his Jesus. Caesar bought him and brought him t6 Rome and left us with the painted plaster baby in the creche. But still the Innocents are slaughtered. So maybe that1s a sign. Ifyou want to find the Exile look to the. roads. A midnight car turns at the bend in the road . Fugit ive lights spider across the kitchen wall - quickly!­ and pass away. For the travelers We keep our tree lights burning and a line oflights along the fence. Page 14 This is a hard, hard story. ' To think that a child is born to be pierced hands and feet to die naked on a hill. I would like to think that this is a story of redemption. I would like to think that God erupts in every womb. 11. Journeys The hours scroll toward morning. I must rest. What I hope to feel at dawn is hope, 7. In the Woods that this solstice dark will bend to the light. The woods behind my house And perhaps there is reason for hope. are silent Even now, dark and gravid a woman of the Pushtun leads a mule as the inside of a womb. From my kitchen to the manger of a refugee station. And even now, you would think that all is still. But this is the winter wait. a girl of the South Bronx In each gray bud pulls back the blanket I hear to look once more a dim cellular tick, at the child in her arms. leafand flower cramp and coil. Hope walks hobbled. Pulsing Hope has the stony path. · in the doe, Hope is crossed the raccoon sow, by the shadow ofthe Kalashnikov. The Holy Families ofthe poor the pocketed opossum I see: still trek the cold Gallilean hills. the pale zygotic lights of their young. I do not hope for much of hope. But there is everywhere, 8. The Hard Births of the Poor in spite of all, defiant Too many are born hungry. inexplicable amid all that centurion clatter. Too m~y are born cold. Too many are born to the chatter of guns. and the smoke and clutter of war Too many are born who will not live out the the persistent human impulse. year. Again and again Too many are born under a chemical haze. the angel carries Too many are born who will never see a school. the word to the womb and there is birth. Too many are born to be beaten. Too many are born on the wrong side of a 12. And in the Morning border. Too many are born who will know too much. Snow still pitters against my window. Too many are born after ten straight days of ram. A few more minutes Too many are ~om and where wiJl we get the and I will go to seek a restless sleep. money for the medicine? We cannot know what.marches toward the hard new Bethlehems Too many are born and the blood is infected and I fear for those I love from the moment it is and all who fall into the pat h . · blood. of the pinstripe Herods. Too many are born who will not sing. But the old story tells us . . 9. Those I Love compassion survives in the mangers of the poor. So ifl want a blessing Those I love most closely in the morning lie asleep. If I go to the door I will go to see I can hear them breathe. outlined in snow the pallets of the bedded deer. Some I love are far off, spread like the drift of snow across a continent. And I cannot hear them at all. by Ron English Song ofPrayer 10. What is the Story? for God's Wisdom for sorrow of sin ­ _ of damnation, I ponder the story we tell each year: The angel speaks. for brother's peace and the virgin conceives. dream of sister A star blazes in the sky. Hope for Love and Respect The world is in awe Because ofFaith, at God in a stall. and Worship of Speech Then, poverty, exile, slaughter ­ and freedom of God's Creation �Art& Poetry STREETVIBES December 2002 The Day Before Xmas by Ron Carter It was the day before Xmas at the Progressive Day Car; Center, it was good and cold ' after all, it was winter. With Kirn in her kerchief ' and her children ·taking a nap, Also, with Vanessa holding, a child on her lap. I was monitoring the hall, As kool as I could be ' and just wondering when, this day would end for me. About that time, Diane came by, ~nd said Ron, it won't be long, m an hour and a half ' I'll be gone. Those words were close to my heart, because I knew time was getting short. Betty and Rebecca were busy with their infants ' trying to stop them from crying, and they were loud, and I am not lying. SNAKE Irregular Ode to Man by J M Pleasant Everyday, five times each day, on the fifth hour in the evening, I languidly climb these seven steps ofmy stoop --everyday. Each time, I slip on the fifth step and spiral down, my chin cracking on the seventh -every time. My upper and lower teeth rip through my lazy tongue, then collide into each other, shattering themselves into enamely shards. I smile at the kids and kiss the wife, with my bastard mouth overflowing thick, soft blood. Tanya and Sylvia were catching it too, so many toddlers, until they didn't know what to do. The ladies were trying to get them in order, but al they wanted was some water. .P age 15 Let me tell you about this girl named Sweet and Petite From heavens above you would by Gary Lehmann think A soldier's eyes slam open She is a precious gift. interrupting the dead ofnight But in reality, she makes me sick. like a bayonet in the belly. See, in her mind, she says she's a witch. Ancient fears, forgotten features. But down on earth we know her as His lady brings him wat~r. a trick. "It'll be all right now, honey." Like fire and thunder, she often makes em wonder. You know, like Stevie Wond~r Calling herself Queen Bee But in reality she lied to me. She's the devil's child, running wild makes herself an angel to light You know, smooth, like Dolomite. But it's out of date, she's always late Or, her name might be Gail, she'll put You in living hell. Post with no bail. Darkness by D-Von Sanders There is darkness on the surface of the deep But is the darkness really bad Because with light comes life then death and emotions She's too fat, she might break her Ofpain and suffering, for the things you've never had back. So is the darkness really bad? Thinks she goes lovey-dovey, We was born in darkness she'atell-o-tubby ofthewomb She'IJ cut you up with her eyes. Of our Mother Earth, and we wilJ · You got a date with cake and can't return be late. · to Darkness Until the dawn of our new birth No, in reality, she's just a snake. Thinking that her heart is made of So is the darkness really bad? No I don't think so steel. Because in the Darkness there is That girl needs to chill before peace somebody breaks her grill. From Heaven above and Hell She's bad for your health. Get that poison·off your chest and below leave her to rest. Shutter Speed by Jimmy Heath So Kim said let them all get a swallow, or two becau~e in one more hour this day is done, you can befieve ' it has been no fun. ' Well, as you know, my name is Ron, · ·and I wrote this little story for your delight, it all cam to me last night. Now, l know this story was written too soon because Xmas is still weeks away. But when we do get to that day, I hope it's a Merry One, OK? Dedicated t o the ladies that work at the Progressive Day Care Center in North Fairmount. Zieg/e~ Park Pool Soldiers Song Over-the-Rhine .. �STREETVIBES December 2002 News & Editorial Page 16 district, and had had my first meal A Day in Court downtown in many months. by Martha Stephens When I arrived at the court in mid-morning, a jury was still being impanelled, and a large group ofpeople milled about in the hallway outside the room. The scene had very much the look of an important trial. I had come as an observer, but people were easy to talk to, and I was able to learn something about them for this report. By 11:45 the jury was complete, but the court was adjourning for lunch. The defendant came out and joined her friends in the corridor. Her name is Lynn Watts. She is a slender, dark­ skinned woman of forty-two, a resident of a community on the outskirts of Cincinnati, the Village of Evendale. What crime was she being tried for - and why was this crime of so much interest to people? In a meeting of the city council of Evendale on May 2, 2002, Watts had persisted in speaking beyond the ninety-second limit imposed on that occasion by the Mayor. She had been escorted out by the police, arrested, and charged with "disrupting a lawful meeting.:' The story of this council meeting - the events leading up to it, its early adjournment by the Mayor, and its alleged disruption ­ would unfold in plenteous detail that afternoon in court. The trial of Lynn Watts would explore the limits of citiZens' rights to speak out and confront the authorities, to be angry at the authorities - rights which seem more and more fragile in a time when order and policing and the security of the homeland have become the ruling ideas. the Watts family have two boys, fourteen and eleven, and this trial would have a bitter subtext. An infamous Cincinnati event, the death of an unarmed young black man, Timothy Thomas, his shooting by Officer Stephen Roach, would not often be directly referred to in court, but that event would fo1m the impassioned backdrop of the proceedings. Court would reconvene, we were told, at 1:45, and people drifted away for lunch. I walked over to a nearby eatery, ordered a sandwich, looked over my new copy of Streetvibes, and went to work on some notes on the case. Later 1 realized I had completely forgotten about another reflex of the death of Timothy Thomas, the boycott of the central business under the First Amendment, Citizens, but ninety seconds. The wrote Mezibov in his briefs on Mayor had anticipated trouble at this meeting and had met that the case. If public bodies The intense interactions morning with his police establish a space for political among the supp01ters of Lynn Watts, their closeness and their department. A plan had been made speech, the guidelines for this racial mix, had seemed encouraging for speakers to be taken away if speech must be "reasonable." ­ they exceeded a limit ofninety "It is simply absurd to believe," that morning. I had counted seconds; but that such speakers he wrote, "that ninety seconds sixteen whites; ten other citizens would be arrested, the Mayor said, offers ample time for anyone - a were African-Americans like the had not been specifically agreed to. citizen or a politician - to defendant. It seemed curious to me that so many would-leave their A cable company was filming this meaningfully address political jobs to be present all day in court. of Council, only the meeting issues at a public forum." Indeed, they all came back second such meeting to be aired, At 3:30 in court that day, and lawyer Mezibov's contention the next day; and the evening the jury was sent home, but the was that the Mayor did not wish before the trial, a much larger Judge then heard two motions the residents to witness on t. v. a group had staged a silent vigil in from the defense: one to dismiss the Evendale amphitheater. the case, and the other to acquit long line of people attacking his actions regarding Officer Roach the defendant for lack of evidence The courtroom of and had expected to find a pretext to support the charge. We heard Municipal Judge David Stockdale, these motions explained by for canceling the meeting. on the first floor of the Hamilton Mezibov 's associate, John Lynn Watts bad been tbe County Courthouse, is small; it has first to speak on the evening of Feldmeier, and court was seats for only about thirty people, May 2. She had begun with adjourned. and so it was a close squeeze to get cursory remarks about the The next morning the everyone in. No one is allowed to recreation department, where she is Evendale citizens were back in stand, and I had a quick warning a volunteer, but had proceeded their hallway. At 11 :00 all were allowed to re-enter the from the bailiff when I attempted to with harsh, angry attacks on the Mayor's actions. When she was courtroom, and again the room rise in a corner of the room to of the council watch the video taken away for refusing to cease was filled. The Judge read his and desist after ninety seconds, the ruling on the two motions of the meeting in question. The defense of Watts was defense. One of these he second speaker rose, Watts' conducted most skillfully, most husband, as it happened, and he too rejected, and he did not dismiss carefully, it seemed to me, and I did fired fierce challenges at the Mayor the case, but then came a not know at first that I was and attempted to speak on after surprise: he was ruling to acquit watching the work of a well-known ninety seconds. the defendant. Emotional sounds criminal defense attorney, Marc It was at this point that the rose up from the onlookers and from the defendant, and there was Mezibov. The prosecutor, a young Mayor disbanded the meeting, and a general air of celebration. woman named Deborah Casey, it was at this intersection of events The attorneys caucused that Marc Mezibov inserted in was also well-prepared, tightly with the Watts family in the focused on her precise logarithm of court his most pointed attack on the charge against Lynn Watts. The corridor, and the witnesses they questions for Mayor Douglas Lohmeier. Lohmeier's questioning meeting had not been ended by her had not needed to call, and in lasted for several hours; he was the personal testimony; it had time I had a brief exchange with Marc Mezibov. Had he ever had proceeded through another only witness called by the state, a case like this before? No, no, and at the end of his testimony, the speaker, and thus the meeting had he said quickly, not like this. I not been disrupted by her. The state rested its case. said I had Mayor had wanted to disarm this The video of the May 2 intended just to look in on this meeting had oeen shown, and we political speech against him, it was trial, but had found it strangely argued, and had not wished to find had learned that sixteen members compelling. I am no expert on a way that night for conducting his of the Concerned Citizens of Evendale had signed up before the normal business. Mayor Lohmeier law, I told Mezibov, yet somehow I seem to end up writing on legal conceded, on the stand, that he meeting to speak on the return of affairs. "Everything is legal," he could have moved the Items of Officer Stephen Roach to the said - ')ust as everything is Citizens to the end of the program, Evendale streets. After the death after other matters had been political," and I felt I knew what of Thomas, Roach had been hired by Evendale, over serious attended to. he meant. Political speech is protected objections from citizens, but he had been assigned to a desk job Martha Stephens is a writer and a retired professor ofEnglish. Her most following a report by the City of recent book appeared last March and is available in stores and libraries: Cincinnati that he had lied about The Treatment: the Story of Those Who Died in the Cincinnati why he had fired that night. Radiation Tests. 0 .c a. The citizens who appeared .c .,; to speak on May 2 had been r angered at the opening of the meeting by two surprise announcements by Mayor Lohmeier: that Roach was already being returned to the streets, without further consultation with the citizens, and that the speakers would have, not the three minutes Martha Stephens generally allotted for Items from 0 Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression ofthe views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those ofthe Streetvibes staffor the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �STREETVIBES December 2002 News & Editorial Page 17 quickly; For the Senate the word is http://www.senate.state.oh.us/ of a very important event. It's simply "Senators," likewise for an Of course that's not all of been 99 years since man got off the alphabetical listing and some means the government. It IS enough to ground in what is called "manned to find one quickly. keep someone exploring for several flight" and someone interested in On to the states! For some background can find it at: hours ifhe/she is not familiar with by Carolyn Messaros frequent users, especially iflooking it, so SOME counties and cities http://www.aviationtrailinc.org/ and of special interest to the black will be listed some other time. In anywhere in the country, there's It 's called "The Information also a tip, below. the meantime: communities around the site (item Highway! " or, more commonly, the Tip for frequent users: # 2) leads to some information on Everyone should know Internet or Web. The days have people accustomed to going back about "Urban Legends." For those Paul L . Dunbar, the famous poet. come when almost anyone can get and forth with the back button A good many people know who have never found a source or on the information highway to find might find it handy to access the want another: http:// that there are homeless people's out things both important and newspapers around the country and site for Kentucky listed below as www.snopes.com/ (it is "the" nonsensical. one!). they have a national "umbrella" on the home page there is a link It seemed sensible to nicely marked "Other Web Sites" in Foreign news is important group (a site to be posted another provide some websites that people which there is a link marked "Other these days. The British time, possibly along with other might save for further reference. State Legislatures" which brings up Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is national organizations); but, not This is not so much with the everyone knows there is also an a U.S. map that connects to other a good source: http:// expectation of people sending (or state legislatures. news.bbc.co.uk/ should get one INTERnational group: http:// getting an answer!) by email. It's www.street-papers.com/ (and don't Otherwise, it's suggested there, although the web address more of a list to see what may be miss "dash" in "street-papers" !). that anyone somewhere else go one might find is longer and more "going on" somewhere or what's through the trouble of typing in complex. If copying it down, make They have postings, etc. , frorri claimed here or there. sure what's put is "co" not "com." around the world. The official their own state [something like: Some of these will government > state> (name of There are a number of good name is International Network of (logically) be repeated from time to state)] and find their own state sites for E-cards; this is just one if Street Newspapers. time; since they would seem to information. one needs some pretty nice Lastly, in case someone have some permanent value and didn't read the masthead of INDIANA postcards to send to friends and things do get lost.. .. Hoosierland does not lead others: http://bowcreek.com/ (that Streetvibes, http://cinci.com/gcch Another "great" election is the Greater Cincinnati Homeless someone directly to their "House" is, if one needs one or some in a time is over. Some "old" people Coalition's offerings on the web. It or " Senate," although it has both. hurrry! will have been voted out of office. Neither does it lead one to any December starts a year-long doesn't hurt to look in sometime to Some new people will take office, committees, although it seems rememberance in southwest Ohio see what's going on there. sit on committees, propose to unlikely there would be absolutely advise constituents on matters, and nothing equivalent somewhere. so forth. Government comes first What it does do is lead someone to and of that, the federal comes first. the political faction membership of U.S. House of Represen tatives: each branch of the legislature. http ://www.house.gov/ Possibly the best someone U.S. Senate: can do is locate their particular http://www.senate.gov/ representative or senator (or the Committees and sub­ one in the next district over) and committees are of major "explore" personally from there. importance since any legislation One can skip the state main page has to go through the committees. and go to the link below and click Both the U.S. House of on "legislators." Representatives and the U.S. Indiana General Assembly: http:// Senate have committees and sub­ www.in.gov/legislative/ cormuittees and both their names KENTUCKY and the names of the people who The Commonwealth calls it sit on them are listed different the Kentucky Legislature and it places. Be it committee or conveniently presents Committees, legislator, the various pages also Senate, and House of have different set-ups. Representatives one right after the So, in a search bar, for, other ifyou click on "Organization firstly, committees and sub­ & Administration" at the link committees, type in the appropriate below. Although the web link below, then: For the U.S. addresses are longer, frequent 'users m--+---+-'-'-""-¥---k..:._,_,__....M..-"'---~'---'--------...........--"""-'"--~----il.1 House of Representatives ofKentucky information might (Congressmen) click on want to list each part separately. "Committee Offices," then on one Again, one can skip the state main or the other of tb.e various pages. committees - somewhere in there Kentucky Legislature: http:// you should find committee www.lrc.state.ky. us/home.htm membership and sub-committees as omo well as other worthwhile Ohio likewise calls it a information; General Assembly, and again one For the U.S. Senate the can skip " official site," etc., and the first click word is simply governor's picture. One can also "Committees," then one picks one skip the confusing page marked from the Senate list of committees General Assembly and go directly to click on; and, again somewhere to the House of Representatives or in there one should find committee the Ohio Senate where both membership and sub-committees as members and committees are listed well as other worthwhile for each, however, one has to information. choose which way to "view" (that To get the websites of the is, by name, by district, or legislators themselves, use the whatever). same links: For the Ohio House of For the House of Representatives: Representatives click on "Member http://www.house.state.oh.us/ Offices" for an alphabetical listing For the Ohio Senate: and some means to find one A WORLD OF WEBSITES! �STREETVIBES December 2002 Page 18 Police Efforts Lead to Arrests of Homeless " I by Al Baker, NY Times Arrests of homeless people for offenses ranging from minor violations to felonies have sharply increased in the last month, reflecting a shift in the city's policy of dealing with what many h~ve labeled a rapidly growing homeless population. The arrest tally is, in part, a result of increased police attention to traditional homeless encampments and to complaints about homeless people violating public nuisance laws, police officials said. With the number of homeless people appearing to be on the rise, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said last month that such a conclusion was based more on perception than reality. But he later conceded that there probably were more homeless people and that the city has been pressed to find ways to move them off the str~ts. About a month ag~, the Police Department merged two units assigned to homeless outreach and assigned more officers to it. The merged unit has 80 officers, compared with about 50 in the separate units. But advocates for the homeless and others say that rather than trying to encourage the homeless to go to shelters, or to take them there forcibly in cold weather, the police have pursued a policy of making arrests. That has drawn an objection from the New York Civil Liberties Union. While officials in the Bloomberg administration and the Police Department acknowledged that there has been a sharp increase in the number of homeless people being arrested, they said the department's policy continues to be focused on outreach. "There is no question that the mayor and the police commissioner want more aggressive handling of homeless people in the streets and that's what is happening," said an aide to Mayor Bloomberg. "But there is no directive from City Hall to lock them up." Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said in an interview yesterday that the il'l:crease in arrests is a byproduct of more frequent interactions between homeless people and the police in the refashioned Homeless Outreach Unit, which now works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "I know our arrests are up,'.' Mr. Kelly said, "but our arrests are up because we have a lot more contacts and the contacts are up." Tlie latest statistics provided by -the police show that 580 homeless people were arrested for crimes and violations in the one-month period ending Nov. 11 , up from 499 in the previous month, a 16.2 percent increase. Of those, the total arrests directly attributed to police officers assigned to provide assistance to homeless people jumped to 172 from 142, a 21.1 percent increase. In nearly the same period, the police reported more than 30,000 arrests citywide. In the comparable month last year, 288 homeless people were arrested. Just 28 of those arrests were directly attributed to outreach efforts. Officials noted that the city was still reeling from the Sept. 11 attacks and that homeless enforcement had not been a priority. Michael P. O'Looney, Mr. Kelly's chief spokesman, pointed out that the number of contacts officers have made with homeless people has grown sharply, to 4,180 between Oct. 11 and Nov. 11 of this year, from 450 in the same period a year ago. Those contacts have resulted in more trips to intake and health facilities for the homeless, city officials said. Neither the city nor groups Vendor: 80 cents Printing and Production : 20 cents that advocate on behalf of homeless people keep a tally of the number of transient homeless people living on the city's streets, so it is difficult to say with certainty whether that population is rising, declining or holding steady. Over the last few years, the number of homeless people in · the city's shelters has surpassed records set in the 1980's and early l 990's, but it is believed that thousands of people shun the official shelter system. Police officials and other analysts have said that the homeless are more visible now because of the displacement that occurred on Sept. 11. Many qomeless people lost footholds in subterranean passages beneath the World Trade Center. Also, as the poli9e began patrolling beneath bridges and beside waterways for security reasons, they disturbed camps where homeless people lived, forcing them into public view. Still, some employees of the Police Department with firsthand knowledge of the Homeless Outreach Unit called the latest efforts misguided. "They want arrest numbers; it is that simple," one said. "They are discouraging services to be offered to the homeless. They are encouraging mass arrests. They want to try to change attitudes. They want to get the homeless to think twice about where they are going to put down roots." The arrests have drawn an objection from the New York Civil Liberties Union. The new approach is "selective law enforcement," said Donna _ Lieberman, the organization's executive director, who requested a meeting with Commissioner Kelly or his staff in a recent letter. "Being homeless isn't a crime, but what is a crime·is the policy of arresting people for being homeless," Ms. Lieberman said. Ms. Lieberman said the numbers of arrests belie the claim by the police that the increases are just a byproduct of more contacts. In the letter, she described how the organization was informed that officers were ordered to single out homeless people for arrests even if others who were not homeless were engaged in the same low-level 'criminal activity, such as being in a city park after closing time. Mr. Kelly said he had not yet seen the letter, but he said the iss':le was important and part of Mayor Bloomberg's effort to improve the city's quality of life by cracking down on noise, panhandling and other nuisances. "This is part of it," the police commissioner said. "We are committed to it." Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati , Ohio 45202 (513) 621-5514 Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Where Your Dollar ·Goes The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cos t so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more informa­ tion about the program. Many thanks for your support. Write Usl We'd like to hear from you .... 1~ Send letters or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com, or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 �Page 19 ;T REETVIBES December 2002 PRACNews Digest rhe weekly Food Research and \.ction Center (FRAC) News )igest highlights what's new on mnger, nutrition and poverty ssues at FRAC, at the U.S. )epartment ofAgriculture, iround the network of national, ;tate and local anti-poverty and mti-hunger organizations, and n the media. FOOD STAMP PARTICIPATION CNCREASES IN AUGUST ?002; IS 2.7 MILLION PERSONS ffiGHER THAN £N AUGUST 2000 Participation in the Food Stamp Program in August 2002 (the latest :lata available) increased by 353,483 persons from the previous month, to 19,696,785 persons, according to FRAC's analysis of preliminary data from USDA. The August 2002 level of Food Stamp Program participation represented a rise of more than 1.9 million persons compared to the August 2001 level, and of about 2.7 million persons compared to August, 2000. It was, on tbe other hand, more than 1.8 minion persons lower than the level five years earlier, in August 1997. Increases in participation in 2001 and 2002 likely have been driven by improved access to the program in a growing number of states, and by the weakened economy. http:l/www.frac. orglhtmllnews!fspl 02aug.html STUDY SHOWS THAT FOOD STAMPS BUFFER THE RISK OF FOOD INSECURITY (Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, October 2002) About one-third of the current and former TANF recipients in Illinois had difficulty feeding their families, according to the first two annual illinois Families Study surveys (in 1999-2000 and 2001). This proportion stayed the same between the two surveys despite drops in TANF and food stamp use over the time period. Also, the increased demand for emergency food assistance and other forms of informal support indicate a possible trend towards growing food insecurity in the future. The study found that families who consistently receive food stamps have reduced risk of food insecurity, while the loss of benefits may increase food insecurity. The report concluded that the Food Stamp Program can have a powerful impact on f arnilies making the transition from TANF to work. http://www.northwestem.edu/iprl researchlfoodinsecurity.pdf fAdobePDF) SENATE l)ESIGNATES DAY IN NOVEMBER FOR HUNGER AWARENESS (Senate Resolution, October 15, 2002) Senate Resolution 341, passed on October 15th, designates November 21, 2002 as "Feed America Thursday." The resolution notes that there are 33 million Americans who lack adequate food. The resolution, introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and others, hopes to build on the spirit ofThanksgiviilg and calls on Americans to give up two meals on that day and donate to anti-hunger charities the money they would have spent. http://thom.as.loc.gov/ (Type "S.R.S. 341" in search box.) SURVEY FINDS MORE THAN 2.2 MILLION FOOD INSECURE CALIFORNIA ADULTS (San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, CA, November 4, 2002) The California Health Information Survey, conducted by researchers from the University of California, finds that more than 2.24 million low-income adults in the state cannot always afford food and that one in three (658,000) of these adults experiences hunger. The high cost of living in the state has made the situation so bad that families are forced to choose between paying rent, utilities and medical bills or eating. Only 10 percent of the 4.9 million Californian adults who are eligible for the Food Stamp Program participate. The researchers suggest streamlining the application process for food stamps and eliminating the practice of fingerprinting applicants, which discourages many applications. http ://www. chis. ucla.edu/ ST. LOUIS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO, October 29, 2002) Operation Food Search, an anti­ hunger organization in St. Louis, helps host classes that teach children in local schools as well as low-income adults about healthy eating and food budgeting. The· classes are part of Share Our Strength's nationwide program, known as Operation Frontline, that dqtws chefs, nutritionists, and volunteers to provide the tools to make healthy and affordable food choices. The goal is to promote long-term solutions to hunger. Emergency food assistance providers in the St. Louis area are dealing with increased demand. http://makeashorterlink.com/ ?CJB731E52 FOOD BANKS IN MASSACHUSETTS SEE RISE IN DEMAND (Hampshire Gazette, Northhampton, MA, November 2, 2002) More than 400,000 people have visited food pantries in Massachusetts <?Ver the last year, many of them working poor. With food donations dropping and demand for emergency assistance rising, the boxes of food handed to needy people are getting lighter, according to food bank officials.> http://www.gazettenet.com/ 11022002/newsll474.htm IN omo, DEMAND INCREASES WHILE DONATIONS DROP (Toledo Blade, Toledo, Ohio, October 31, 2002) The Martin ·Luther King )r. Kitchen for the Poor in Toledo is currently having its toughest year out of 33 years of service. Attendance has swelled to 300-a-day from 200-a­ day four years ago as people are leaving TANF and losing food stamp benefits. http://www. toledoblade.com!appsl pbcs.dlll article?AID=2002JJ0310064 NUMBER OF HOMELESS AND HUNGRY PEOPLE INCREASES IN INDIANA (Star Press, Muncie, IN, November 1, 2002) High unemployment has resulted in record demand for rescue shelters and emergency food assistance in Muncie, Indiana. At the Muncie Mission, the shelter is full and people are sleeping on floors; "[i]t is the first time in 17 years that we had so many people," according to the mission's director.> http ://www.thestarpress.com/tsp/ news/loca/102/novl 11 OJ homelessnews.php INCREASED ·FOOD STAMP USE BOOSTS ECONOMY (Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, FL, November 3, 2002) The nationwide increase in Food Stamp Program participation over the past two years reflects the slowing economy. With an increase in food stamp users, "grocery stores sell more food, and farmers produce more food," says USDA Undersecretary Eric Bost. "That pumps more money, of course, into the economy." http:l/www.orlandosentinel.com/ news/nationworldlorl­ asecfoodstamps03110302nov03. story MORE PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMPS iN omo (WCPO-TV Channel 9, Cincinnati, OH, October 25, 2002) Food pantries in Ohio and surrounding-states are experiencing a huge increase in demand and hope to spread the word that many working poor individuals and families are still eligible for food stamps. Enrollment in the program has dropped in recent years because many people do not realize that they are eligible despite having earnings. http://wcpo.com/news/2002/local/ 10125/food. html REPORT: POOREST FAMILIES GET FEWER BENEFITS, INCLUDING FOOD STAMPS (Institute for Women's Policy Research, October 29> 2002) This report finds that children in extreme poverty (family incomes below 50 percent of federal poverty line) are living in deeper poverty in 2000 than they were in 1996. Cash assistance, health insurance, and food stamp programs that previously helped these children now are not as effective at reaching children in extreme poverty. The percentage of childr~n living in extreme poverty who are not receiving benefits increased by 32 percent for school-aged children and 44 percent for young children by the year2000. http://www.iwpr.org/pdf/d451.pdf (Adobe PDF) OIDOPROGMM SUBSIDIZES INTERNET ACCESS FOR BENEFITS (Federal Computer Week, October 25, 2002) Public housing residents in Indiana and Michigan are receiving free internet access and subsidized computers through a for-profit program called the Community Technology Network Project. One of the goals of the project is to help residents while at home to communicate with government agencies that provide food stamps, TANF and Medicaid. http://wwwjcw.com/geb/articles/ 200211021/web-ctnp-10-25-02.asp �--- -Need Help or Want to Help? If you need help or would like to help please call one of the .Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women's Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome House 859-431-8717 Women's Crisis Center 859-491-3335 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veteran~) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 ·£):••• Cineifl6fftf· CA.?alttiol) ; . 'fhe W~etJN·I I' Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) 357-4602 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith 471-1100 Hospitality Lighthouse Youth Center · 861-1111 (Teens) St. John's Housing 651-6446 HOUSING: CMHA Excel Development Miami Purchase OTR Housing Net. ReSTOC Tender Mercies Tom Geiger House 721-4580 632-7149 241-0504 369-0004 381-1171 639-7056 961-4555 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie's 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 751-3260 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6660 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 Freestore/ Food bank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-3619 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (F:ood Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center . 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 � 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 2002 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. 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 2002 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Huntington Meadows: Low-Income Housing Complex Saga Continues Homeless Man Dies After He Was Set on Fire in Springfield Pg 2: The “Giving” Season Pg 3: North American homeless News Digest Pg 4: There is a New #1 in Town!! Of Pain and Fabulous Wealth Pg 5: Reader Mail Pg 6: Exploring Issues of Homelessness in our Nation’s Capitol Pg 7: Area Company Makes Generous Offer to Streetvibes Vendors Pg 8: Sell Cleveland to Settle Ohio’s $4 Billion Deficit Pg 9: ¡Bienvenidos! Pg 10: The Peace Village Pg 11: Annual Dinner Pg 12: Home Free: The Short, Happy Life of Tyrone Douglas Lewis Pg 13: Peace Village Continued Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Pg 16: News & Editorial Pg 17: A World of Websites! Pg 18: Police Efforts Lead to Arrests of Homeless Pg 19: FRAC News Digest 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 2020 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Brendan Goodwin Pat Mitchell Mary Taylor Cheryl Ware Jimmy Heath Brian Davis Ron English Brian Garry Mike Henson Carolyn Messaros Molly Rhodes Martha Stephens Dr. Steve Sunderland Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Arrests Arts & Poetry Bienvenidos Brendan Goodwin Brian Davis Brian Garry Carolyn Messaros Cheryl Ware Court Dr. Steve Sunderland FRAC Georgine Getty Jimmy Heath Martha Stephens Mary Taylor Mike Henson Molly Rhodes News & Editorials Pat Mitchell Peace Village Police prisoners news Ron English Street Life Tyrone Douglas Lewis Websites https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/3576b5c6ab67b3636d87aa18aac7897c.pdf 8cd6bcdd3b37b694166349eaee887cdd PDF Text Text .. -- ------------~ --~--~ ­ -~-~ $1 Donation STREET IBES Your Progressive News Source BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY NOVEMBER 2002 ~ National Peace . ·Movement Questions .. War With -Iraq-page 10 . Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �' E'f ~~l~rl~ -------------------' November2002 Dozens Gather at Me01orial Site in Over-the-Rhine Story and photos by Jimmy Heath Last month, several dozen people, which included media, church representatives and Over­ tbe-Rhine community residents, gathered in a dark alley near the makeshift memorial of the late Timothy Thomas. In April 2001, Thomas was shot and killed by Cincinnati Police Officer Steven Roach in the alley located near 13th and Republic after a lengthy chase through Over-the-Rhine streets. The shooting death sparked three days of civ11 unrest that was focused in Over-the­ Rhine and resulted in a curfew and lockdown of the community by Cincinnati 's Mayor Charlie Luken. Questions of police action in recent years, the resulting civil unrest, and police/community relations was, and continues to be the subject of worldwide media attention. Officer Steven Roach was later acquitted of any wrongdoing in the shooting incident. Nearly a year and a half -.. . . . . later, Over-the-Rhine and the family of Timothy Thomas continue to work to heal the wounds, and seek answers to questions on Cincinnati police behavior. Memories of the shooting and the resulting civil unrest still haunt the Over-the­ Rhine neighborhood. Construction and rehab of the Vine Street building directly connected to the alley is slated to begin, requiring the temporary removal of the memorial to Timothy Thomas. For the last year and a half, friends and family have marked the spot where Thomas was killed by leaving articles of clothing, signs, flowers and other personal items. Last month's gathering at the memorial was an opportunity to reflect and mark the removal of the memorial in a respectful manner. Reverend Damon Lynch III, of Over-the­ Rhine's New Prospect Baptist Church and leader of the Black Unit(fd Front led the gathered group in prayer and contemplation. Lit by candles, participants reflected on the state of Over-the­ Rhine and expressed a sense of hope for the future of the neighborhood. "This is the last place my son saw before he died," said Angela Leisure, the mother of Timothy Thomas, who was also present at the memorial gathering. c Angela Leisure, mother ofTimothy Thomas, and Rev. Damon Lynch III, at the memorial site where Timothy Thomas was killed. "So I have to!look at this as a bles~ing. I talce comfort that something better is coming," said Leisure, making reference to the ReSTOC building rehab project. ReSTOC, an Over-the­ Rhine community non-profit housing co-op plans to rehab the two buildings into nine apartments for neighborhood residents. Because of the project, the memorial will be taken down and eventually reinstalled in another form after the building reconstruction is completed. ReSTOC plans to continue to work closely with Angela Leisure and other members of the community in replacing the memorial. Leisure also revealed the location of her son's final resting spot in a · cemetery in Westwood. "I have no problems with sharing that anymore," said Leisure, who had previously kept the location of her son's grave a secret. "I would rather see you walk in than be carried in." c Tom Lee (left) oft. ..Jrop Inn Center and Bill Daily ofXavier University at the Thomas memorial 0 FO T �STREETVIBES November 2002 -Page 2 Memories of buddy Live On.... hospital were gathered together dead and remembered this way? I by Jimmy Heath there at the Drop Inn Center. It November 15th is the sixth thought that Buddy couldn't be would be a couple days until the killed. He had rescued me, but anniversary of the shooting.death details of why and what had could not save himself. .The of our good fliend Buddy Gray. happened during the shooting mindless bullets had entered his I'll never forget the details of that came to light. body and destroyed his flesh. day, the horrible reality of the At that moment though, Until that moment, until I saw that incident that took his life. there was the grief. The pain was indifferent headline, I hadn't My friend Donald caught inside each one of us. Like actually accep~ed the truth of Whitehead called me at work on a deadly, choking pressure that Buddy's death. Buddy was gone, tha~ dreadful day and gave me the begins in your gut and pulls at your taken by violence. news that Buddy had been shot to heart and bends your back. I worried about Buddy's death. The phone dropped out of Why do these horrible friends and loved ones who were my hands in disbelief and shock. memories become so indelibly I left work immediately and grieving what had happened, and I etched into our memories? I caught a bus back remember the into downtown carefree days of my Cincinnati and childhood, where eventually into the sun al ways Over-the-Rhine to shined and the join my friends at grass was cool and The Drop Inn green on bare feet. Center, who were I remember the gathering to try to feeling~ of first figure out what had love and the joy of Q.appened. I was my first car! But hoping in my the sad memories confusion for some are just as vivid. sort of kinship with And, I guess, that is the strangers on that the irony of the bus, some relief, heart, of being some recognition of human. All these my shock, some memories build us assurance that )""'tfillQ..JALUiltt we will Buddy Gray (left) with longtime friend, Rev. Maurice everything was eventually beco going to be all right. later in life. As Buddy's life was a was dreading the grief I was about It was a long and lonely ride on part of me, so is his death. to witness at the Drop Inn Center. that crowded bus into downtown The memory of Budd ' Access to the Drop Inn Center, Walking to the Drop Inn work_brou h ondolence where Buddy was shot, was __-;-. . . Center from the downtown bus . t db t h d and adrmrat10n from all across the . .. stop on that bright, sunny morning, res tnc e u some ow 1 ma e my country. And his work and spmt . li . I saw a late morning edition of the way through the front doors. The contrnues to ve on to this day. I 1 ong gone an d th e . . . . cops were Post in a paper rack that coldly see it everywhere, m the bml.drngs, . . . announced; BUDDY GRAY SHOT remnant s of what h ad h appened , rn the people, and m the work he f b hind This 1s . his 1egacy and had been DEAD. It was crude and . cleaned up. Buddy s 1e t e . . assassm had been arrested at the . . h k t d unattached and final, that blazing scene and taken away to jail. it is w at eeps me ocuse . 1 headline. Why was his death b · tak hope in the coming years I am up 's b d B uddy o y was erng en care already an insensitive ·ctrama for of at University Hospital. Staff to the task. 1 hope the good the news? How could a man, a and friends who were not at the memories of my friendship with man that had heiped s9 many, be · Buddy will always remain vivid. . Streetvibes Vendor Code Each vendor must sign and agree to abide by the following code of conduct... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed fpr a $1 voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for donations of more than $1. I also understand that I will be able to keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. 2. Streetvibes may only be purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH). Purchasing or selling unauthorized papers, or from other vendors, will result in termination from the program. 3. I agree.that I will not ask for donations or attempt to vend after 12 midnight. 4. I agree to treat others with respect - other ven­ dors, customers, and GCCH personnel. 5. I will not sell Streetvibes while under the influ­ ence of drugs or alcohol. 6. I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel threatened. 7. I agree not to deceive the public by saying that I am collecting for a not-for-profit charity or that I am collecting for the "homeless" in general. I will be honest in stating that all the profits from the sale of Streetvibes will go to the individual vendor. Falsely stating intent or otherwise ffiisrepresenting is a violation of a city ordinance and may be cause for arrest. 8. I will always present my badge when purchasing papers, and I will display my badge at all times while vending. Replace~ent badges are $5 each. 9. There are no territories. I agree that I wi.11 not contest territories with other distributors. I will not sell on private property without permission. 10. I understand that Streetvibes strives to be a self­ supporting paper created by people who are homeless or formerly homeless. To help in this effort, I will try to spread the word and write stories if possible,. 11. I understand that failure to comply with any of the above statements will result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate a vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. �Page 3 STREETVIBES November 2002 North American Homeless News Digest by Molly Rhodes Homeless News From South Florida Homeless advocate and service provider Sean Cononie has had his hands full in south Florida the last couple weeks. On the down side, the director of the Homeless Voice shelter felt compelled to start a public awareness program highlighting the danger of railroad tracks, after three homeless people have died on tracks in his area in the last month alone, according to ~he Sun Sentinel. Cononie handed out flyers to people sleeping on the streets and put up 200 signs to warn people of the dangers of train tracks and to offer his shelter's services as an alternative to being depressed on the streets. On the upside, however, Cononie's work paid off for Edith Coleman, a 67-year-old homeless woman who finally began ....... receiving thousands of dollars in back Social Security benefits after Cononie helped to track down her former employer. Be~ telephone. Coleman is on track to receive $19,000 owed to her, a large step toward her eventual move back to the Northeast and into a home. Canadian Study Challenges Homeless Stereotype Calgary officials are finally beginning to see the light after a $60.000 study commissioned by Calgary's Homeless Foundation did not find that all homeless people are dmnk con artists who live on the streets because it's cool. According m www.CFCNplus.ca, the study did find that some of the main reasons people in the area become homeless included no access to an Alberta Health Care card, inadequate mental health care, and Story; Editorial and Art Submission Deadline for the December, 2002 edi­ , tion of S'FREETVIBES is poor access to phones and transportation that are essential to securing and maintaining a job. The study found that 50 percent of the city's homeless population works, 30 percent couldn't access health care, and 50 percent had a substance abuse problem. The study also found that 70 percent of people living on the street suffered from some form of mental illness. The study concluded the number of homeless on Calgary streets can be reduced by building more affordable, transitional, and supported housing. offering free transit passes. increasing access to mental health services, and raising Alberta's minimum wage. Monica just couldn' t take it anymore. For the past three years, they have been crying aloud about the "homeless proplem" as their number-one issue, and the city council finally listened. Two new laws passed by the council will make it harder for homeless people to get free meals and ban homeless people from sleeping in front of business doorways at night. In order to dole out food to the hungry, organizations expecting to serve 150 or more people have to adhere to community event laws and county health standards. If a business has put a sign in their doorway, anyone found sleeping there between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. will be arrested. Homeless advocates, while appalled, don't believe the laws will stand when New York Ruling Jeopardizes Homeless Families Santa Monica Laws Target Homeless ~ Elite liberals in Santa Write Us! .. ~ We"d like to hear ~ __._. \ _.~~ from 'JOU-. Send letten or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com,·•· or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Homeless Soccer Tournament And though it's not U.S. or Canadian news, maybe someone here will be inspired by the model of the Austrian city of Graz, which is hosting the first World Cup soccer tournament for homeless people next July. Sixteen teams are expected to compete in the games, including a group from the S_tyrian street newspaper Megaphon, which won the pre­ tournament this month. The idea behind the event is to use soccer as a way to build a better community among homeless people and to help them integrate back into the larger society. The Holidays are Near Homel~ss parents in New York state who aren't able to jump through all the welfare program hoops could easily see their children taken away from them and placed in foster care, thanks to a ruling by the state supreme court. The ruling by Justice Leanard Austin makes it easier for homeless families to be evicted from emergency housing if thy miss welfare or job training program appointments and deadlines, according to Newsday. This ruJing came after two women filed a suit against Suffolk County in Long Island. claiming their evictions from county shelters' jeopardized their family. In the case of one-of the women, she was evkted after missing a job interview because she was waiting for her children to return to school after a hurricane warning and did not have a phone handy to reschedule the interview. The suil had also sought to modify t)le service offered to homeless fam ilies y by the county so they could better prevent children, ending up in foster· care. None of the proposed changes were made. There are cuITently a record 527 fami lies living in shelters in Long Island. tested against the rights preserved in the Constitution. Already beginning your shopping? Why not shop for a good cause? What: "Magical Evening of Giving" - malls will close their doors and reopen them for ticket holders with special discounts, sales, prizes, food and live music When: - I ~ Tri-County Mall Sunday, November 17, 6:00-9:00pm Florence Mall Sunday, December 8, 8:00-lO:OOpm Cost: Tickets are $5 each for both malls. All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Call Brendan Goodwin at 421-7803 for tickets or more info! Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Welcomes new Executive Director I have spent my first few weeks at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless meeting folks: co-workers, Su-eetvibes vendors, board members. activists.and service providers. I am so impressed by the dedication and caring that I have seen demonstrated by everyone in and around the Coalition. I have also faced the reality of racial unrest, the increase of homelessness and the political invisibility of the homeless population in Cincinnati. In my new position, I hope to draw from the creativity and energy of the Coalition to work towards our mission: ending homelessness in Cincinnati. As a reader of Streetvibes you have already helped contribute to our mission. I Georgine Getty hope you will join us in facing the many challenges of homelessness in Cincinnati. Call me at 421­ 7803 to find out how you can help even more. With your support, the Coalition can continue to be a leading force for change in Cincinnati. �STREETVIBES November 2002 Page 4 • As Congress· Debates War, STANDDOWN Remembers Homeless Veterans Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless to provides veterans with meals, services, and health care during Standdown 2002 As Congress debates going to war, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, along with dozens of community volunteers, took the time-to remember and serve the veterans of past wars who now live in homelessness. Standdown is an annual event which gets its name from -a military term meaning a time of rest and relaxation. The Coalition for the Homeless, and other volunteer organizations, served nearly 300 people, including veterans and other people experiencing homeles_sness. Many homeless veterans and other people experiencing homelessness only need a helping hand, ·a conne·ction to valuable social services, in order to return to sel{-sufficiency. Nearly three dozen social service agencies were on-site in Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine last month to offer just that. Attendees were able to speak with representatives from such organizations as Legal Aid, Social Security, AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati, and Lighthouse Youth Services. Here, people living on the streets were able to connect with emergency shelters, permanent housing providers, job opportunities, and much more. In addition to social services, health care providers were made available to do eye exams, blood pressure and glucose screening, massages, and HIV testing. Nearly 75 haircuts were provided by Project Daymakers, through Aveda and Franciscan Haircuts From the Heart. Foot care services were available as well. Everyone who attended received a free breakfast and free hot lunch and were able to enjoy the music of DJ Andy Glover, who continued to spin records late into the afternoon. "Many men and women who served our country in war have been forgotten. They live in our shelters, on the streets, and under bridges. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is pleased to sponsor Standdown which gives Cincinnati a chance to give back to homeless veterans who have given so much for ·our liberty," said Georgine Getty, Executive Direc~or of the Homeless Coalition. (above) Over 75 free haircuts were provided by the Project Daymakers mobile salon (below left) Andy and Pat ofthe Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (below right) On-site blood pressure and health screening �- STREETVIBES November 2002 --~ ~:--:.·_:·_~-~--~-: Reader Hail Yes, I know it may not be enough. As 1 said, recent events caused me to soul search and I find this cause to be to my benefit. I We would like to hear from you also believe I can really contribute - please address letters and to this cause .. Anthony Eversole comments to; Streetyibes, 1506 Elm Street, Cincinnati Ohio 45202 (or) email to: Streetvibes@juno.com Dear Streetvibes, l am writing to you because l am interested in helping the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless in any way I can. Recent events this year have me questioning my life and my future. As a result, I want to give more support to the homeless because, who knows, I may be one accident or lost paycheck away from being homeless myself. Personally, I hope that's years away and I have a family to help when, or if it happens. I do know others are not so lucky. In the past, I have been scared and quite overwhelmed of the homeless people that come downtown to beg for change. I just don't have it sometimes, but I actually have an extra bed at my lovely one-bedroom _apartment. Finding someone trusting enough that I can get along with is another story. I have enclosed proof of my past efforts to improve human rights and Cincinnati's ' international image by lobbying for a display of a United Nations flag at the Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park. Then I donated my own to help the city of Cincinnati Park Board promote it to schools and events within Greater Cincinnati. - .;. ' . -. . . . .. - . *-,...-·. •-.,.. ~ L:~f"'"U• ..• ,*_;: -~~£~-:..?!"41j~J .:__ ·-~:·_ .... ' J~~-~~:~~·-. ~~ • 1 .{:-.~~;J.';_~Wi'!",.·,··.:.-:.~_.~;--=,:~ i._..:.:: . ·:r>~·-:~~-~~[-.:~~ ·~~-·:~J _Page 5 Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine Limited Edition Print Taking Issue With Oktoberfest Article I have to take issue with your coverage of the Oktoberfest protesters (Pg 2, October issue). I quit going to Oktoberfest a few years ago because the crowd ­ even in NON protest years - is just as you described: rowdy, obnoxious, drunken, threatening, loud, pressed together, too close for comfort, taunting, obscene, beer-spilling, pee-on-your-leg and just plain gross. I'm sorry the protesters experienced the sall!e thing, but it's like that all the time at Oktoberfest. Honest. Remember, it's a big, two­ day, all-day, drunken beer fest ... you get what you come for. And because most people go there just to have fun, the presence of the protesters probably touched off even stronger negative reactions in a few.. .it's j ust the way of the world. If you protest, you should be prepared for the flack and not blame it on the people you're protesting against...but that's my two cents. S. M. - College Hill The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. · Steve Biko Now available, 18" X 24" poster-size; Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine, Winter 1999. Each print is individually signed by photographer Jimmy . Heath." Purchase benefits the children's Literacy Through Photography program at Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine. Posters are $10 each, plus $3 for shipping. Send your order and check to: Peaslee Neighborhood Center Attn: Photography Program 215 East Fourteenth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 or call (513) 621-5514 for more information National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) Regional Office 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com (513) 421-7803 Support your local Streetvibes Vendor! Your vendor keeps 80 cents of every dollar..... ':4.t last, the perfect health insurance group. No illnesses, no accidents, no annoying questions, no lawsuits." �ST REET VIBES November 2002 Page 6 PEACE VILLAGE: Drawings in the Shadows of 9/11 poster of our feelings that we by Dr. Steve Sunderland I am still grieving my sister could leave on a fence. in law's death. I find myself We walked in thinking more about grief arid the profound numbness, a preciousness of life and some of deadliness that is hard to the meaning of death for peace, recount, but no one's eyes · and for me in the Peace Village. I reflected the kind of good · know that Sandy, my sister-in-law, humor and recognition that I was a part of the effort in her own had seen at my sister in law's way, making a path for Native bedside. Here. for that day of Americans, African-Americans, visiting the killing site, we children on school buses, and her caught our breaths, holding family. Her spirit lives on in our them, step by step, and, memory and in the continued work seeking to awake from what for peace with these and other was certainly a nightmare. I ' groups. tried to breath with a Watching her come back to gentleness but kept losing my life for a moment, look at us, her breath and my mind. I almost closest family, in the eye, and then said, out loud: "But these people died without their slowly closing her eyes and stopping her breath, brought to familiesr without religious clarity just how amazing is the officials, without the rituals! " My spark of life, especially as it anger at the naked way they were flickers even right at the end. We killed grew until it dawned on me encircled her bed, forming a sacred that I was their family, I was walking by their death bed, I was space for her spirit to be honored breathing out a and depart. We. prayer of hope, I cried, held each "We realized that no words other, prayed a was making a could describe what we saw note of how Native andfelt about this enormous precious their American prayer, and felt hole in our ground ofbeing; lives were and the strength of no picture could record the how strange it family bound felt to be there, emptiness ofthis innocent together in the place, now alive with the with the other certainty of particles of life and death of members of the affection for a family, walking the 3,000...." back and forth, life we respected and pacing the cherished. amount of time it took to walk and Later on, two days to be realizing that the building fell in quicker time, the people were precise, Stef and I visited the burned to death in quicker time, World Trade Center on a brilliant and that it was all over in a kind of day. The sun shone, the streets of NY were jammed, and we time that I cannot reckon. followed the signs and the crowd Across the street from the to the site. We moved ever so WTC was the miracle. A little old slowly down the fence, hand hold church, St Paul's Episcopal, NY's letting go and making a new oldest church, had survived handhold, sometimes stopping and without even a window broken because a large sycamore that staring, sometimes shutting our stood between it and the collapse eyes, shooting pictures of the had taken the entire brunt. The families coming to look over the church, thanks to this miracle, edge at their special place. We became an emergency site for · -realized that no words could those working night and day. The describe what we saw and felt inside of the church is now a about this enormous hole in our museum documenting the many ground of being; no picture could activities that occuITed.. It is a record the emptiness of this innocent place, now alive with the small place, in one sense. It felt no bigger than a large living room. particles of life and death of the Yet, it rivaled the biggest church of 3,000. Two men unfurled a very France.with the ~ount of spirit long poster of American flags contained in its pictures and drawn by a high school class, spreading it out on the ground like stories. I finally had found a place to sit and c_ry. This place of a patriotic carpet of respect: It looked amateurish, unprofessional,. holiness had become a massage center for hurting workers, a food just right as a family card of grief. kitchen, a place for prayer, and, a The mourners walked around it, place to just sit and gain support. staring at it as if it came from Inside there must have been a kind another planet, getting up close to read the very clear and predictable of havoc I will never know; yet, I saw it as a refuge, too, a place to messages, and, finding ourselves wishing that we, too, had brought a gain a breath, to relax a heart, and to sip the drink of horror and amazingly important friendship, kindness that is so much a part of healing, supporting, lifting, and this experience. embracing those who come across I know that I am not back our be-numbed and sunlit paths. from either experience of the Thank you, my doctor friends, for deaths. I want to be back. Yet, I giving your wisdom to those who feel that this numbness of are near and far from you; thank recognition, again, about what the you those creating the orphanages human imagination can do when for all of us; thank you those driven mad with whatever reason providing the last cup of cool we want to give, persists. What is water to the dying; thank you behind this numbness I am waiting-­ ¥Oung_ peopl~ for walking to the schools of hate and intoterance_ to learn. I expect that those in the Peace Village living near and in with a different step; and, thank .carnage will know what I mean by you, all, for your continued efforts waiting. And, it is waiting for a to make each day, that day of peace with respect, a peace that is gentle and unforgettable peace. enduring and creating more peace, The shadow of the World a peace of the living, living lives of Trade Center reaches out and touches peace work in Cincinnati. support and caring, and, too, a peace of the dead, dying with all of Doing posters with young people, the respect and honor a people and sitting in their fear, is to watch a family can share. Does our work each one ·try and unfurl their anger and fear through a drawing or a get diminished by the shadow of sentence. It is hard to keep the the WTC? Does our belief in some kind of hope and meaning fear back for many of the people arising from this actively thinking about peace as horror escape " The shadow ofthe World they draw. What us? Can we ask Trade Center reaches out of ourselves a is this new fear and touches peace work in that has entered moment of Cincinnati. Doing posters confusion and and taken a front with young people, sitting in seat in the class, pain, experiences that their fear, is to watch each right near the even teacher's desk? one try and unfurl their Shakespeare I look into these ·anger and fear through a young faces for could not find drawing or a sentence." the words for? I signs of their courage, of their wait for peace to resilience, and, for the emerging break out, hopeful that with the new day of mourning comes also a beauty of what they hope peace new day of hope and resolve, a can mean in their lifetimes. I know these young people not only new day of walking in semi­ because they are or were the ages numbness toward some ways of supporting each other. J ask for of my children and students. I your continued work in·the know these people as some of what is best in our country and classrooms of creativity, for your continued work in respecting each world: people wanting to work at good jobs, helping people, fighting faith group, walking toward those disease and hunger, and wanting we do not know to learn their the time to breathe in what is so codes of hope, for your continued amazingly good about life. creation of art that reflects your voice, your gesture, your word of Sheltered from death truth, for your delicate and and riots until 9/11, > �STREETVIBES November 2002 they hold onto some fragment of a dream that is now distorted and shrunk. I can see in many of the little figures in their drawing a minimalist perspective being tightly held to: little people dreaming and living little dreams that may be more likely to be achieved in this new climate of exposure. And, there is the seriousness of the class, the_feeling that there rnay not be time to learn anything but a good escape route out of Blue Ash, or Cincinnati. I listen as the young professor reads off a list of books about terror and Islam, U.S: Government policy, and history books of American interventions. I wonder if any of these books will offer comfort or only make peace seem even more impossible. I wonder how people sit in. classes when young adults are in .states of readiness, on active duty, and, going without jobs in their future. "How did we get to this place of total fear?," many ask in their posters. And, while there are many answers and many books and many ways of staring into the bright light, the truth remains both elusive and attractive. Being blinded by fear may make us shut our eyes, as our Congress may be doing at thls moment; or, some of us, somehow, will continue to offer the space to reflect on a time when that blindness will end and a new perspective on our neighbor, our community, our village, and our world, is possible. Come see the posters for peace at the University of Cincinnati's libraries, at the Cincinnati branch library in Northside, and in the offices of the NCCJ and celebrate our passion for peace and justice. Page 7 "Hard work builds strong moral values. Fortunately, I inherited my money." National Freedom Center to Open in Cincinnati Center's location here can serve as Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is-whether its victim is human or animal-we cannot expect things to be much better in this world... We cannot have peace among men whose hearts delight in killing any living creature. By every act that glorifies or even tolerates such moronic delight in killing we set back the progress of humanity. Rachel Carson a modem day door to freedom from bigotry and racism. The National Conference for Community and Justice - a human rights organization dedicated to fighting racism and bigotry - first proposed the center in 1994. It will commemorate the 19th-century history of the Underground Railroad - th~ difficult, dangerous escape routes used by as niany as 100,000 fleeing slaves. Construction and development of the Freedom Center building and development of exhibits will cost about $65 million, with the rest earmarked for start-up operations, programs and an endowment. Know Your Wish List Streetvibes newspaper is published monthly on a shoe...,gtring budget from the offices of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Can you help,,. us with some of the following items? o Electric Stapler · Heavy duty o Blank Zip Disks - For Streetvibes Archives o Supplies for Vendor's;Lounge ,(paper towels, cream and' s ugar, snacks, etc.) o Office and Cleaning Supplies The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will open on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, in the summer of 2004. Using the Underground Railroad as a lens through which to explore a range of freedom issues, the Freedom Center offers lessons and reflections on what freedom has meant in the past, means to today and will mean tomorrow. The shoreline of the Ohio River at Cincinnati once beckoned slaves to freedom in an abolitionist state. Ohio was a large point of entry for thousands of slaves who used the Underground Railroad, and many hope the Freedom . o Computers/components for Streetv.i(Jes story-writing, . editing, research. If you can lielp,-contact us at: Streetvibes, clo Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the lfomeless 1506 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-780~ e-mail: streetvil>es@juno.com Rights Brochure Available! The Know Your Rights Brochure is now available at the Coalition's office. The brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati's homeless and covers a person's basic rights when interacting with the police, as well as some local laws that might be of interest to the homeless population. If you are a homeless person or if you work with homeless people and would like to obtain free copies of the brochure for yourself or your agency, please call 421-7803, or stop by the Coalition office and pick one up. ~( ~; ' .. ' ' ~. 9'. �STREETVIBE S November 2002 Page 8 Theater Professionals Explore LA's "Skid Row" Struggles Formerly Homeless Develop Theatre Company in LA by Robert Bell Jr. This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles, California to work with some people on Skid Row. John Malpede has lived in Los Angeles since the 1980's and directs a theatre company called Los Angeles Poverty Department (LAPD). The name of the company mimics that of the L. A Police Department on purpose. The LAPD is a company made up of homeless and formerly homeless people and a few others like John who are concerned about issues that effect the ill-fated populations of our society. LAPD has developed a program called "Change/Exchange" to bring in guest artists from the outside to work with the company while developing a show. The guest artists share their skills and experience with the company members of LAPD and in return they get the experience of working creatively with people who are not typically included in the production of theatre. My wife and I spent two weeks working with LAPD on their show titled "Is There a History On Skid R ow?" The show deals with the area of downtown Los Angeles called Skid Row that was historically an area for older white men dealing with alcoholism. Over the years L.A.'s Skid Row has become predominantly African American, younger, more women and children, and the drug of choice is now crack cocaine. Part of our - assignment while working with LAPD was researching land use Guest artists and members of the Los Angeles Poverty Department (LAPD) theatre department wrote the scenes, help workshop planning and the city's of how this affects the people or development plans for downtown. the long term effects on the rest of and direct them, publicized, and acted in the show. We found many interesting the city. Some of the other shows The show itself ran for two patterns. The city continues to LAPD have done in the past that develop low income housing and weekends. The pe1fo1mance took dealt with the CIA involvement in social services in one area of the place in a small room with a bringing crack cocaine into •the city, Skid Row. Development storefront window in Skid Row. United States, homeless rights, and around Skid Row continues to Dming the perfonn ance multiple other topical issues. The company gentrify the downtown and contain presentations took place at the has also done non-theatre work the homeless into a tighter area same time. One scene was acted ilic1ucti n -g--voter r€-g istration while systematically keeping Skid out in the windows and broadcast projects. I gained a greater Row from developing beyond a in to the street, video monitors understanding of the life of a haven for low income and showed interviews with people homeless person and the forces treatment centers. w ho live and work in Skid Row that create, perpetuate and Some of the influences on and with the researchers, like crim:in~ze homelessness in our this area of Los Angeles were : lack myself. There were slides country. The members of LAPD of representation in the district projected on the wall and copies of are advocates for an under associations, constant surveillance legal papers from one homeless of Skid Row inhabitants, lack of man's fight against unlawful arrest represented population in Los Angeles. Their creative energies diverse development, and influx of were displayed. There were also spark debate and empower them to drugs from the outside. Word play live interviews with people who affect change in their community. live and work in Skid Row. The is another example of how The visiting artists and researchers outsiders ignore the situation. The performances lasted about four help the company grow and business community has begun hours each and each day was a investigate new territory. This· calling this area of downtown little different, with different process seems to work well for "Central City East", while the people being interviewed and both sides and is an example of residents of this area claim the presenting information. The how the arts can enrich peoples name "Skid Row" without shame. audience was off the street and lives and address important issues. These cycles continue and nobody came and went throughout the seems to realize the implications THIS WINTER, . THOUSANDS . WILL BE OUT IN THE COLD... CAN YOU HELP THEM? The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, Justice Watch, Mt. Airy Shelter, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Goodwill will be sponsoring a city-wide coat drive for the homeless from October 25 ­ November 22. Drop-off locations will be throughout the city. Please donate new or slightly used winter coats for men, women and children to Cincinnati's Homeless. For more information or specific drop-off locations, please call John Halpin or Georgine Getty at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at 421-7803. HELP MAKE THIS WINTER A LITTLE WARMER performance. <;ompany Members Write Us! We'd like to hear ,,·~-~..,-,,... from IJOU-. Send letters or comments to: Streetvi bes@Juno.com, or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Story, Editorial and Ar t Submis­ sion Deadline for the December 2002 edition of STREETVIBES is Monday, November 11th. budi;fy's·place · Pe~anent Housing for formerly homeless individuals at 1300 Vine Street. For more informatio,., call Agnes Maci at (513) 784-0800 �STREETVIBES November 2002 P age 9 IBienvenidos! buddy gray 1950 . 1996 . The God of life summons us to life; more, to be lifegivers, especially toward those who lie under the heel of the powers. Daniel Berrigan Local Schizophrenia/Schizo-affective Research Study * Financial ~ompensation * 45 years and over * Symptoms of depression * 13 visits (513) 861-3100 ext 4187 or toll free (888) 267-7873 ext 4187 D I SC .J OCKEY SE l :::.Vt CE Cliffo r d J on.es (5 13) .230-63 53 (513) 7 61-3464 O.f.fice ~ • ~bo\.ne. Voicemail W.c~c:-· ww ~-l7>ail: jonesaCV ".14'1 "ir:iexchange.­ $ c:P~ The GCCH would like to thank these Starbucks locations for their generous donation of coffee and pastries . 3366 Erie Avenue East Hyde Park (513) 533- 3 402 7896 M ontgomery Rd. K eqwo o d . 891 - 7740 by Samantha Brockfield Ahora Streetvibes esta declicando una pagina a su comunidad. Este es el peri6dico escrito para crear una conciencia de las personas sin hogar, la injusticia social, y la pobreza en nuestra cuidad. Es la hora que se oye la voz de usted. £,Ha pasado algo emocionante en su vida recientetnente? (.Tiene Ud. unas ideas que quiere publicar? (.Ha escrito algun tipo de poesfa? Streetvibes quiere publicar sus historias, su poesfa, su prosa, y sus pensarnientos. Hay personas que pueden ayudarle a escribir y preparar todo para redactarlo. Tambien, Ud. puede ser un vendedor de Streetvibes y ganar dinero. La Coalici6n de Greater Cincinnati provee el pe:ri6dico para las personas sin hogar en Over-the-Rhine. El meta de la coal ici6n es eliminar la situaci6n de personas sin hogar, con respeto a la dignidad y diversidad de sus miembros, las personas sin hogar, y la comunidad. La Coalicion y sus miembros pueden darle a usted lo siguiente: el refugio de emergencia, las habitaciones provisionales, la vivienda Volunteer Opportunities at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless permanente, los servicios meclicos, los servicios sociales, los lugares donde Ud. puede obtener comida, y los servicios de salud mental. Nosotros creemos que es impo1tante que Ud. sepa cuales son sus derechos civiles como persona sin hogar. Tenemos folletos que los explican. Nos gustarfa que Ud. nos visitara algun dia para que le podarnos dar Servicios mejores. Para reunirse con La Coalicion: 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 www.cinci.com/ gcch Para ayuda, llame- Su Casa Ministe1io Hispano (513) 761-1588 115 W. Seymour Ave Cincinnati, Ohio 45216 San Damiano House- Los Hermanos de Las Personas Pobres (513)241-8585 923 Bank St Cincinnati, Ohio 45214. Tambien, hay una lista de lugares (para el refugio, la vivienda, el tratamiento medical, y otros Servicios) en la ultima pagina del peri6dico. to advertise in our paper, we offer very competitive rates for ads that reach about J 5,000 people per month! Our dream volunteer would be a self-motivated volunteer that would like to fundraise for our organization. This could include asking Y.our friends and family for donations to researching and w1iting grants for our excellent programs. The Streetvibes newspaper There are numerous project is always in need of people opportunities for volunteers at interested in writing articles on t he Greater Cincinnati Coalition social justice/poverty issues. for the Homeless. We are We need help in the willing to work with each afternoons at the front desk, individual in choosing a service answering phones and handling opportunity that is right for transactions with our Streetvibes them. The following are a few Vendo!s. This person will address of the areas in which the the needs of visitors, having direct Coalition could use your help: contact with homeless individuals Designing a web site for and should be available one our National Civil Rights afternoon a week. Organizing Project. This would There is always a need for include working with two help with bulk mailings. For Americorp Vista volunteers on Streetvibes, there are monthly how to prevent further mailings. Other mailings incli:ide criminalization of homeless the annual report, quarterly individuals as well as preventing newsletter, and various capitol the increasing hate crimes against campaigns. them. If you are interested in To enhance our Streetvibes volunteering at the Greater program, we are searching for Cincinnati Coalition for the volunteers to solicit Homeless, please contact the advertisements from local office at 421-7803, or visit us at businesses. If your business or a 1506 Elm Street in Over-the­ business you know of would like Rhine. �STREETVIBES November 2002 Page 10 Peace Village Rallie~ Thousands As Bush Visits Cincinnati by Dr. Steve Sunderland photo's by Jimmy Heath President Bush's visit to Cincinnati was greeted by 5,000 people rallying to express their concern about war and their hopes for peace. It was the largest peace rally in Cincinnati in the past 20 years. Two groups initially formed: one, a small group at our Federal Building walked with posters towards the large rally at Union Terminal, the site of the president's speech. A glorious sunny and cool day bathed the rallies as people walked, sang, prayed, and connected. Old friends met, old students in wheelchairs, and with posters appeared to say hello, team members from the Peace Village were everywhere, almost everyone carrying a poster disclaiming their belief in war. ·The entryway to our beautiful Union Terminal became the site of ralliers for and against the president. No violence was in evidence on anyone's part. The Cincinnati Police stood watch with a somber air, refusing to barely acknowledge the thanks offered by several for thier professional behavior. At close to 8:30, one e>f the main entrance streets spilled over with protesters, and, a festive, song filled, drumming, and embracing experience occurred. People were praying everywhere and the festivities were marked by a great seriousness, too. Yet, the overall mood, despite beliefs by many that president Bush has decided to invade Iraq, was light, friendly, and reminded many of the old timers of days in Washington protesting an old war. It could fairly be reported that this was a rally of young people as much as any group. I asked two very young teen age girls why they were there. Their response: ''This will be our war, too. It will effect us." A tall teenager, dressed in black, Nathan, heard their answer, and said: "I am out of a job and I don't want the job President Bush wants for me." All around there were families, Christian families, Jewish families, Islamic families, all gathered as if this was a celebration of peace rather than a protest of war. The most surprising consequence for me of the visit of the pres~dent was the rejuvenation of the Cincinnati Peace Movement. There were so many new people, people who had come to voice their feelings, so many that didn't want to hear speeches Rally · cont. on page 12 , �STREETVIBES November 2002 Page 11 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition ·for the Homeless corc;Jially invites you to attend their Annual Dinner "Many Missions, One Heart" Saturday, December 14, 2002 6:30pm Mt; .Auburn Presbyterian_Church Kat y Wilson of CityBeat, Keynote Speaker Silent Auction, Split-the-Pot Raffle, Dinner, Fun To Be Added to the Guest List, Please·send $15 Payable to: Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Consider Sponsoring Dinner for a Homeless Individual for a $15 donation or Have Your Company Sponsor A Table for $l20 Please Call Brendan Goodwin at. 513.421 .7803 with any questio.ns �ST REETVIBES November 2002 Rally cont. from page 10 as much as they want to add their hearts and voices to a concerted gathering, no matter how many turned up. Many of my friends said that they expected a very small turnout. We were all surprised and gladdened by bying wrong. Perhaps. we can say that the American people of Cincinnati wanted to represent the world for a moment, the world that is holding its breath hoping for something other than war, the world that has a place of honor for young and old people who believe in something other than war, a world, as we saw on our streets last night, when the smiles of Jews, Christians and Islamic people could be shared in a boisterous and affirming embrace of peace. I felt blessed to be in this march from the Federal B uilding to Laurel Park, walking with Rev. :rony Drake, singing old and new songs, and making a pace that was a signal of our enthusiasm. We were briskly moving in the :hythms of peace, feeling old drumbeats and eager to make it clear, on this night when the ·president came for approval, that we wanted to say that peace and justice wa~ what we approved. One of our group was in a wheelchair and I called ahead to my wife, Stefanie, to slow down, but Mark quickly corrected me: "We have to go faster to justice," he said with his kind smile. Tony and I, both over 60, realized that we needed a slower pace until the passion overwhelmed us, too. When we arrived at Laurel Park we were singing a Catholic prayer for peace and we were joined by the large group that was already milling and moving toward the Museum Center. Donald and Marian Spencer, both in their 80's, were smiling that s~le of victory that they have · · adopted. Marian, looking like she was ready for another game with QSU, wore a bright red UC sweatshirt. She grabbed me and said: "I earned the right to wear this shirt!'' And, we laughed our delight. There is such a wondertul light in these people's eyes, having seen so much, having lived so much, and, now, being ·hand in hand in love in a peace rally in 2002. No one was listening to the speech by the president. No one that !'saw was watching it on a television. There was a sense that whatever he said was already known; what was unknown and necessary, what wa~· vital and life supporting; was creating solidarity with all those who chose to be there in an affirmation of peace. Shutting our eyes and ears to the president but.opening our hearts and minds to peace, became the work of the evening. The sun set on the rally, candles emerged, and many of us walked back to the park to say our thanks to the organizers and to the people who had joined in this memorable evening. In the flickering l ight of candles, flashlights and cars, hope burned a little brighter, even as the cool of the evening·turned cold. We were better off for our efforts, and, just perhaps, our city and country and world was better off, too. Page 12 Police "subdue" p rotestor at Union Terminal !Jntrance gate Rev. Damon Lynch Ili (left) and Nate Livingston (right) at the Union Terminal rally �Page 13 TREETVIBES November 2002 ART, MUSIC, AND WRITING OPPORTUNITIES! Peaslee Neighborhood Center, 215 East 14.th Street, hosts lots of arts opportunities for adults and children to learn skills such as playing a steel drum or piano, photography, making mosaic art, or writing. Any resident of Over-the-Rhine or tpe West End is welcome! All sessions are FREE, including instruction and materials. No previous artistic experience necessary. Contact Brenda Z. at 621-5514, or for more information. basic photography skills through introductory courses provided at Peaslee. Call the Center for class schedules. Writing-Any young person in the Greater Cincinnati area may submit poems and/or articles via email at for publication in Streetvibes. Content should be related to homelessness, social justice, or poverty-related issues. Call F()r New Arts Advisory Committee Members! - The OTR Steel Drum Band -Learn Arts Advisory Committee is looking for represen.tatives from how to play the steel drums In an introductory serjes for adults. the neighborhood and the arts Parents may bring their children and business community. This (age 9 and up) to learn together committee helps to formulate the direction and development of .if they like. Partidpants will Peaslee's arts programs. learn steel drum technique, rhythms, and how to read music. Looking For New Staff ­ Community Mosaic Art Project - Community members Thousands ofprotesto rs took to the streets on. Western Avenue, · near Union Tenninal, to protest Bush war effort. are coming together to make mosaic art for the Over-the­ Rbine neighborhood. The organizers are looking for ideas ,for the next project. Forward· your ideas to Brenda Z. Photography - Teenagers and young adults are invited to learn Peaslee is also looking for new music instructors for the piano and the mallets program. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in teachi.ng music in a fun and rewarding setting. Anyone interested in any of these opportunities, contact Brenda Z. at Peaslee, 2 15 East 14th Street, Over-the-Rhine, 621-5514. Wish List - Can You Help? Streetvibes newspaper is published monthly on a shoe-string budget from the offices of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Can you belp us with some of the following items? o Electric Stapler - Heavy duty o Blank CD-RW Disks - For Streetvibes. o Supplies for Vendor's Lounge (paper towels, cream and sugar, snacks, etc.) o Cleaning Supplies o Office Supplies - floppies, copier paper and other supplies If you can help, contact us at: r,l Streetvibes, c/o Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 . (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com Sayrah Namaste addresses peace crowd at Laurel Park near Union Terminal Streetvibes exists as a foru m f or the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvihes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �~·:-=-==---...1 Art & Poetry STREETVIBES November 2002 That Day · Page 14 In Washington Park XXI by Michael Anthony Willis by J.M. Pleasant I met some people in Washington Park, A people so full of love. Not the kind of love that I see here on earth, But the kind that comes from above. I see this love on the face of the ones Who live their life praying to God They care for each other, they care for the poor, they care for he ones who .don't even believe in God. So, I told them some things that God had said, For they are my brother and sister you see, For the same God who made all of them Was the same God that made me, If we all could see what we should be, Evil would be no more. We would all be one with God up above And the people that I met in Washington Park. Everyone is boiled in time with the same view. by Mike Henson In the moment he died nothing stopped. The world continued rolling toward dark and the dark continued rolling toward day. In grocery stores, shoppers filled their carts. Some mounded their carts high. Some barely mounded them at all. The moles of the park raised up the grass on their small shoulders in search of grubs and worms. the sirens wailed above them but they did not hear. In the bar on the comer, a third shift man just iii for his shot and a beer wiped the foam from his mustache with the back of his hand and headed home to a dreamless sleep. On the Shopping Channel there was much excited talk on zircons and vacuum cleaners at attractive prices. On Wall Street, trading opened and the Dow began its daily march. And somewhere, perhaps in Bangkok, a girl, just brought in from the country on the back of a truck, is tired. They have given her something strange to eat and her mind feels so very strange. She is pushed into a room with a naked man and the door is locked. And somewhere, a boy is handed his very first gun. And somewhere, a nun is strangled. All these things went on. The stones of the earth continued to grind. Hillary teased out her latest hairdo And Bill ... Who knows what Bill was doing in that hallway? School bells rang on schedule. Fires were lit under steam tables. Trucks rolled into .weigh stations. Commuters pressed into the doors of a subway. A child looked out the classroom window past the playground past the fence past the suburban rooftops past the cell phone towers In our little city, editorialists stacked their words and sharpened their knives. And.the stars continued their subtle realignment of this galaxy and the next and the one beyond. In our squeaky swivel­ chairs, if they're facing west, where the windows sit like overworked simple machines, embedded sturdily into the plaster walls, there is ~ view that everyone has - that everyone who has a window has and detests. A worn out brick wall, gray and dusty orange from forever; from advertisers printing their logos in color again and again. No vanishing point out there-only In The Jaded and Jagged Mornings dusty brick. A black, square light post by J. M Pleasant runs up the wall, just so we can make clear In the jaded and jagged mornings here in this hiemal, iced city flat, after the sleep-sedated stumble the remains of the advertisements to the breakneck, blizzard bathroom, something happens and there is only blackness. There is only blackness between me and the yet lingering body warmth of back-to-bed. There is nothing; not those which give blows in the blackness between here and there. . There is no bleak, ~waying plaster; no hazardous, shattered tile; no rusted, falli!lg water Jines; no splintery, soft Door boards. Just the scathed body warmth of back-to-bed. No sight of me at interment and dead. To Whom It May Concern by Ron English I had a dream of Mr. Buddy Gray ­ for his poor man's vision of salvation, of his brothers keeper. Of the restoration and rehabilitation of the dysfunctional feeling of alcohol an-d drugs. For a legend he was made, freedom of Speech and Miracle of God's creation. ' late at night. Only a telephone line is strung forever across, splitting the brick background from wholesomeness. It's so close we could jump and swing from it with wet hands. Everyone has this same view-if · they have a window - they are sluggishly getting up and pulling .the curtains and . blinds tightly closed. �Art& Poetry ST REETVIBES November 2002 Mom, you are the only person I have known to love unconditionally. You loved your husband, your sons, your daughter, equally, unconditionally. A man I.respect and admire once said, "Success is not getting what you wa~t but wanting what you get." Well, you certainly were a successful wife and mother. You may not have "enjoyed" all that you got but you relentlessly kept yourself in play and played the and you were dealt, because you wee BOUND BY FAITH. That is the name ofthis poem for you. Bound by Faith by Dwight Turner Morn, you are my angel, that perfect piece of pie. How tiny and insignificant we are, yet rare ~d precious to Him. Mom, you're my angel, the answer to my Why! Oh Why! Oh Why! Behind you lay a wake of love, ahead of you, a translucent list of gifts soon to be called the archives. The nephilims were no match for you and Satan's playground (earth) was little more than a boy and his toys; for your giant Will and Spirit. Today we live by your example, tomorrow we will live by your wisdom and compassion. Now I'm filled with joy and sorrow, forever grateful and fortunate to live on until tomorrow. Your presence will be missed, and absentmindedness doesn't live here; shallow thinkers gravitate to .o ut of site, out of mind. So spread you wings, oh gentle spirit, for this too shall pass on to all of us, then and only then are we truly free. Page 15 Are You Rusty? byjba Where are the days? God has a sense of humor and you and I and all living creatures are its proof. The human body operates on Rust - iron oxide- Fen-ous Oxide FeO. It's what makes our blood red as - ­ by Ron Carter, Sr. Where are the days? When there was not so much violence. Where are the days When children idolized their parents. to repsire and bum its fule we literally have to rust to live. So if anyone ever asks if you 're Rusty respond: "I certainly hope so." Where are the days When neighbors looked out for each other: Where are the days When music was music, no gangsta' rap. I Got Them by J.M. Pleasant I got them 1 0 0 n g type-fingernails -cominout my- well . .. they really fake- 0 but they look like they cominout my fingertips! Where are the days When kids went to school to learn, not because they have to. Where are the days When news was good most of the time. Where are the days When the world was at peace. Where are the days They are gone but not forgotten. they got Where are the days? h e c by Ron Carter, Sr. c Where are the days? When there was not so much violence. r ve u r ve s on em like you ain't nevah seen and the redest paint you evah seen. Where are the days When children idolized their parents. Where are the days When neighbors looked out for each other. Why can't we all just get along? u Ron Carter is a former Streetvibes vendor, "CEO", writer and outreach coordinator for the Homeless Coalition. . - they more important to me than god Shutter Speed Where are the days When music was music, no gangsta ' rap. Where are the days When kids went to school to learn. not because they have to. Where are the days When news was good most of the time. Where are the days When the world was at peace. Where are the days They are gone but n<:>t forgotten. Why can't we all just get along? Ron Carter is a former Streetvibes vendor, "CEO", writer and outreach coordinator for the Homeless Coalition. Vine Street, Over-the-Rhine by Jimmy Heath �1i::~:-A·~;-.,:j••••-rr STREETVIBES November 2002 ~-..- • ·t~~...,..-;~~~..,.~·-~~~,.~~ ~ .. ·-'--~-~~··~ ··News:; &~ fiditoria/::.t~: ..:~¥ -. - -- . ._ . - - : - .. ~ ~ Page 16 , Bush Solution to Forest Fires: Remove the Forest f rom OMB Watcher The Bush administration sent a legislative proposal to Congress on September 5th that would allow increased commercial logging of old-growth trees in national forests, purportedly to reduce runaway forest fires that have plagued the West in recent years, even though such trees are not the source of the problem. Misleadingly labeled the " Healthy Forests Initiative," the plan seeks to eliminate legal tools to challenge logging initiatives ­ waiving provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and exempting most forest management projects from judicial review - and would also exempt timber cutting from public notice and comment. Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) is expected to offer portions of the Bush proposal to.the Deptartment of Interior spending bill, according to this Earthjustice action alert. The catastrophic fjres of recent years are the result of a ~ u ildup of small trees "and underbrush, "due to a vadety of Forest Service policies, including the practice of extinguishing lowintensity fires" while allowing timber companies to harvest "the larger, most fire-resistant trees," according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Bush plan sets forth a "goods-for-services" arrangement in which the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management could pennit timber companies to cut large trees ­ which are not the problem - in exchange for removing the commercially worthless small trees and underbrush. To oversee the "Healthy Forests Initiative," Interior Secretary Gale No1ton has appointed libertarian Allan Fitzsimmons, who bas questioned the existence of ecosystems, calling them a "mental constrnct," the protection of which should not shape federal policy. A Report from the Streets of IRAQ byRamzi Kysia You get what you pay for in life. What are you willing to pay for peace? With George Bush as president, it doesn' t seem to be a problem any of us will ever have to face again, but you can't be a pacifist only in peacetime. You can't be a pacifist by yelling at your TV set, or forward­ ing a million emails to everyone you know. Pacifism isn' t that passive, it isn' t that easy. It is, and always has been, by definition, a radical challenge to every element of worldly power and violence. I'm in Iraq with a handfuf of. other Americans: Eric Edgio, an Indiana college student; Nathan Mauger, a recent journalism graduate from Washington State; Farah Mokhtareizadeh, a Pennsyl­ vania college student; Jon Rice, a history teacher from Chicago; Henry Williamson, a paramedic from South Carolina; and Joe Quandt, a ·writer from New York. More are joining us. By the end of October, we'll have over 30 people on our team. By December, our numbers will be over 100. We're here to tell the stories of the Iraqi people; to put our lives on the line to stop this war. Living in Baghdad, you wouldn't know there was a war. The streets bustle with people on their way to work or school. In the evenings the parks are full of kids playing soccer, people visiting with family and friends. There are no tanks in the streets, no soldiers marching, no civil defense drills, and-other than foreigners like us-no one here seems to be stocking up on·food or water. Is it denial? Disbelief? Some inner despair? I honestly don't know. It's painful that Baghdad is so beautiful. There's a unique and striking blend of traditional and modem architecture. I love the city's parks, its wide, tree-lined boulevards-each avenue sprout­ ing date palms and poplars. faciUtating the killing of countless This is truly a green city. I told more by our own government a cab driver that Baghdad was a through our silence and our tax beautiful city. He just looked hard dollars. We apologize for no one at me. "No," he said, "Baghdad is but ourselves. According to Human Rights not beautiful. Baghdad is tired." Ask an Iraqi about "liberation," Watch, Iraq has roughly 3,000 and they'll laugh at you. It'§. bitter extra judicial killings a year. According to UNICEF, U.S. policy mirth. If the U.S. doesn't bomb kills over 50,000 Iraqi children .the civilian infrastructure again, every year. Both are terrible. and if the government falls fast, They aren't equivalent. and if the army doesn 't break-up It's disgusting that millions of along ethnic and religious lines­ then only a few thousand innocent people being threatened with people will be killed when George massive destruction isn't "news," Bush starts his war. Bue if Bush and Americans joining them is. But if the only way to get anyone bombs the water and power sys­ to pay attention is to be in tems like his dad did in ' 91-tens Baghdad when the bombs fall, so of thousands will die from the be it. We' re here. resulting epidemics. If the army Our hotel isn't fancy, but at falls apart, there could be a civil least it isn't close to anything war that makes past conflicts in "strategic." Our risks are the same Lebanon or Bosnia look like as the other S million people in schoolyard brawls. Baghdad, ~e other 24 million And if food aid distributed by people in Iraq. As our team's the Iraqi government under the numbers grow, we'IJ tum the hotel Oil-for-Food program is disrupted into our own hostel-living 5 or 6 for more than a few weeks, ·uNICEF is. warning there will be to a room. We're volunteering with NGOs countrywide famine. When wilt Americans wake up already working in Iraq, and we're to the fact that we are not the only doing regular writing and real people on this planet; that our journaling. Some of that writing will be carried in alternate media security cannot depend on the and small-town papers, and, even insecurity of everyone else? after the U .S. destroys the electric­ Have we failed to notice that ity and phone lines, we' ll get the inmates are now running the reports out through the local press asylum? Some accuse us of being center on a satellite phone. We "fools" or "apologists" for the won' t let folks·back home forget Iraqi government. We don't often have the opportunity to speak with the human consequences of what they do here. Milan Kundera once officials here, but when we do we wrote, "The struggle of man always raise concerns about prisons, extra judicial killings, and against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting." state-directed violence. We're here to be part of that That isn't to toot our own horn. struggle. Mohammed Ghani Our status as Americans gives us Hekrnat is perhaps the most promi­ this luxury, in a way that Iraqis do nent artist in Iraq, and one of the not have for themselves. That's kindest men I've ever met. His uncomfortable and troubling, and sculptures decorate the country. if it strikes some as hypocritical He's proud to be the first Muslim for us to be here as pacifists, I can artist ever commissioned by the understand that. But it strikes me Vatican. In 1991, he was working as much more hypocritical to speak out against a foreign govern­ on a series of life-size reliefs of the Stations of the Cross, when the ment for killing innocents-while Gulf War happened. The explo­ sions blew out the windows in his studib. We asked him what he thought of the American people, and his voice filled with anger: 'They' re innocent," he accused, "Innocent! Like children." We're here because we know we' re not Uinocent Being here is our part in the war against ten-or­ ism: humanizing Iraqis in the eyes of Americans, humanizing Ameri­ cans in the eyes of Iraqis-taking direct responsibility for what's done in our names. Our government, ow- country­ our people-have killed hundreds of thousands of human beings in Iraq since 1990. We' re about to compound that atrocity with another war that, if it goes badly, will likely kill hundreds of thou­ sands more. In 1945, when the Allies liberated the death camps, the entire Western world was abso­ lutely shocked. We asked, "How could this have happened? How could the Gemian people have allowed this? Where were the 'good' Germans?" Today, I know where the good Americans are: they're in Iraq, and they ' re organizing in the streets of America-laying their entire lives on the line to prevent the mass destruction of human life. We get what we pay for in this life. I don't want to die. I am scared for my life. But this storm is fast upon on us. This is the moment when we all must ask-what are we willing to risk for peace? Ramzi Kysia is a Muslim-American peace activist, working with the Edu.cation for Peace in Iraq Cen­ ter. He is co-coordinator ofthe Voices in the Wilderness' Iraq Peace Team (www.iraqpeaceteam.org), a group ofAmerican peace workers pledged to stay in Iraq before, during, and after any future U.S. attack. The Iraq Peace Team can be reached at ivoices@uruklink.net �STREETVIBES November 2002 News & Editorial Page 17 Census Data ·show Increase in Extent and Severity of Poverty Earned Income Tax Credit, as its widest point in 2001 , although workers exhausted all of their income, while subtracting income unemployment benefits before the change between 2000 and 2001 and payroll taxes. This approach finding work during the first eight was not statistically significant for months of 2002, and this number is to measuring poverty is similar to all of these measures. the approach·recommended expected to top two million by the The average income of the several years ago by a National top five percent of the population end of the year. Some states also Center on Budget and Policy rose by $1,000 in 2001, from Priorities instituted cuts in programs for low­ Academy of Sciences expert $259,445 in 2000 to $260,464 in income households in 2002 as part · panel.) The average amount by 2001. The average income for Census data issued recently of the effort to close swelling which poor children fell below the every other income category fell in budget deficits. show that poverty increased in ''The increase in poverty is poverty line also increased; it, too, · 2001. The share of the national 2001 , while median household income that the top five percent of reached the likely to be larger income fell, and the income gap highest point on the population income receive in 2002 than the between the affluent and the rest "The average income of reached its highest level on record record, going increase of 1.3 of society either tied or set new the top five percent of the in 2001. By contrast, the shares back to 1979. all-time recorded highs. million people going to the bottom fifth (which The number of people that occurred in population rose by $1,000 These data living in poverty rose by 1.3 2001," stated in 2001, from $259,445 in indicate that the received just 3.5 percent of the principal reason national income last year), the million in 2001, to 32.9 million. Robert 2000 to $260,464 in 2001." poor children next-to-the bottom fifth, and the Greenstein, Median household income - the middle fifth fell to recorded lows. were poorer, on executive income of the household in the The share going to the next-to-the­ average, in 2001 than in any other middle of the ill.come spectrum ­ director of the Center on Budget year since 1979 is that government top fifth tied for an all-time low. and Policy Priorities. fell by $900 to $42,200. In Among the findings from _ safety net programs did less to addition, the share of the national The Center on Budget and Policy reduce the severit)I of poverty last household income going to the top the poverty data released by the Priorities is a nonprofit, year than in any other year since Census Bureau are the following: five percent of the population .. nonpartisan research Both the percentage of people who 1979. reached an all-time high (these organization and policy institute are poor (i.e., the poverty rate) and Median household income data go back to 1967), while the that conducts research and the number of people who are poor declined by $900 for U.S. shares going to the bottom, the households overall, a decline of analysis on a range of increased in 2001. Increases next-to-bottom, and the middle 2.2 percent. (These figures are government policies and occurred among the overall fifths of the population fell to all­ programs. It i.s supported adjusted for inflation.) Median population, non-Hispanic whites, time lows. primarily by foundation grants. household income fell among all people aged 18-64, and unrelated The poor also became racial-ethnic groups except men, among other groups. (The poorer. The average amount by which people who were poor ­ increase in the poverty rate for To ask questions, or send Hispanic households (for comments, write to and children who were poor - fell African-American persons was not Hispanics, the drop in median below the pove11y line reached bazie@cbpp.org income was not statistically statistically significant, but there their highest le.vels on record. significant). Large declines was a large and statistically These data go back to 1979. Both significant increase in the poverty occurred among African-American Center on Budget and Policy the increase in poverty and the households - for which median rate for African-American Priorities reduction in median income families, from 19.3 percent in income fell by $1,025, or 3.4 820 First Street, NE, Suite 510 primarily reflect the effects of 2000 to 20.7 percent in 2001.) percent - and among Asian and Washington, DC 20002 recession. Most Poverty Pacific Islander households - for (202) 408-1080 analysts expect which median income dropped by increased in "The average amount by poverty to metropolitan $3,678, or 6.4 percent. Peaslee Neighborhood areas and in · increase further which poor children fell Median household income Center - and income to below the poverty line also suburbs within fell in every region of the country 215 East 14th Street decline more these areas, except the Northeast. The largest increased; it, too, reached Over-the-Rhine in 2002. declines occurred in the Midwest, although poverty the highestpoint on Poverty rates rates remain where median income fell $1,662 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 generally rise or 3.7 percent, and in tl}e West, record, going back to considerably (513) 621-5514 and incomes fall 1979." lower in the where median income dropped by when $ 1,082, or 2.3 percent. The suburbs than in unemployment cities or non­ poverty rate, however, rose only in increases significantly, and metropolitan areas. The number of the South where it increased from unemployment is much higher in poor people in suburban areas 12.8 percent to 13.5 percent. The 2002 than it was in 2001. The South bas the highest poverty rate climbed by 700,000. unemployment rate averaged 4.8 ·of any region. T he Census data The depth, or severity, of percent in 2001. During the first show that income inequality either poverty increased. The average set a new record high in 2001 or eight months of 2002, it averaged amount by which those who were 5.9 percent, and the Congressional poor fell below the poverty line tied for the highest level on record. Budget Office forecasts that it will rose to $2,707 per poor person in The recorded data go back to 1967. A table that the Census remain at about six percent until 2001 . This represents the largest ~~ Bureau issued recently, entitled the second half of 2003. "per-person poverty gap" on Furthermore, the number of record. (These data go back to "Selected Measures of Household Empowering our unemployed workers who have run 1979. They are derived from Income Inequality: 1967 to 2001," neighborhood children out of unemployment benefits unpublished Census tables made provides five statistical measures through peace, art and before finding work is much larger available today and count non-cash of inequality for the years from education in 2002 ~han it was in 2001. 1967 to 200 l. Under every one of benefits such as food stamps and More than one million these measures, inequality reached housing subsidies, as well as the Decline in Household Income, Income Disparities At Record Levels Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression ofthe views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �STREETVIBES November 2002 The Misguided Prison Building prison are there because of some Frenzy charge stemming from alcoholism or some other form of substance abuse. Quite apart from the expense of prisoner "care," think Maurice McCrackin was pastor emeritus ofthe Community what might be accomplished through life support programs? Church of Cincinnati, and a leading figure in the civil rights, financed by the $65,000 per­ person jail proposed for Camp prison reform and homeless Washington. people's movement. This piece was originally written in 1990. It is hard to comprehend The proposed Camp Washington why the political decision makers, nationally, in the state and locally. jail (River City Correctional Center) that Mac makes are so obsessed with the.building reference to in this article has of more jails and prisons. They are not a deterrent. They are since become a reality. The aiders and abettors to crime. They prison issues he addresses are still valid. "Mac" passed away are time bombs which explode when the prisoners can no longer in 1997. endure the psychological and physical abuse and "cruel and The frenzy to build new unusual punishment" of their life jails and prisons has ripped the in prison. entire nation, and caught up in The Reagan and Bush this frenzy are the Hamilton County Commissioners. They are administrations have destroyed or mortally wounded nearly all proposing the construction of a supporting services for poor and 1,500 bed jail in Camp low income people. Our society is Washington. sick and we spend exorbitant It will take millions of amounts of money on studying the dollars to tear down the old pre­ Civil War [Work House] strncture. symptoms, and then treat the victims with band-aids. The total cost of construction. On different occasions based on the 1,500 bed figure, over the years I have spent will likely reach $100 million considerable time in prison. I dollars - a cost of about $65,000 have become personally per prisoner bed. acquainted with hundreds of other Approximately 85 to 90 prisoners. They are a cross section percent of men and women in by Rev. Maurice McCrackin Page 18 of society, excluding, of course, the white collar offenders who seldom end up in jail. Many are caring people, considerate of me; considerate of each other. Yet by most of society, by most judges and by most jail and prison officials they are treated as non­ persons who have no.rights. An example of this calloused and immoral attitude is the proposal t~ use Fort Scott as a minimum-security facility. The Catholic Archdiocese closed the camp because it is next door to the Fernald plant. a hotbed of radioactive waste. No matter, it's all right to house p1isoners there! I sincerely hope that the Catholic Archdiocese will respond with a resounding " no! " if they are officially approached by the Hamilton County Commissioners. Some prisoner friends over the years have said to me, " they treat us just like animals." If only prisoners were treated as well as animals in the zoo! If a zoo keeper allowed animals under her or his care to be abused and mistreated as badly as is the lot of many prisoners, the zoo keeper would be fired. Poverty results in hopelessness and despair and an ever increasing loss of self-esteem and hope. People get into drugs as a way out of their misery, wantino.o to feel good at least for a little while. The answer is not to get tough with people who are hurting so much already, but to do all possible to restore feelings of worth and self-respect. For their own and other's safety, they may need to be separated from society, but it must be in an institution where there is a loving, caring atmosphere. Such an atmosphere can never be found in jail or prison. From a moral, economic and l<;>gical standpoint, public funds should be spent in creating a social environment which creates a climate of self-wo1th and well­ being. . Those working to prevent the use of drugs must first have a humane regard and caring attitude toward1 drug addicts and drug dealers. Many drug pushers have first become addicted and later become a dealer in order to feed their own habit. All are fe11ow human beings who need our help. Write Us! We'd like to hear from you•... Send letters or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com; ·:. or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters, I 506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Weauo/ Natiom �P age 19 ST REET VIBES November 2002 one hour south 'o f Chicago, is an example of entrenched pove1ty in the heartland of America. One (Food Action and Research single mother described in the Center news) article skips dinner so that her children have enough to eat. She FOOD STAMP receives food stamps, but doesn't qualify for TANF because she's PARTICIPATION able to work. She can' t get to a job INCREASES IN JULY because she ha5 no 2002; IS 2.4 MILLION > transportation. The town lacks PERSONS HIGHER THAN many basic government services IN JULY 2000 and the residents have little access (FRAC Analysis, October 2, 2002) to public assistance, jobs, Participation in the Food Stamp transportation, or other ways out of Program in July 2002 (the latest poverty. Pembroke's average per data available) mcreased by 23,935 capita income in 1999 was $9,642, persons from the previous month, compared to $21,587 to 19,344,019 persons, according nationally. to FRAC's analysis of preliminary data from USDA. The July 2002 http :/lwww.nytimes.com/20021091 level of Food Stamp l9/nationa/129POVE. html Program participation represented (free registration required) a rise of more than 1.8 million persons compared to the July 2001 RISE IN U.S. POVERTY level, and of more than 2.4 million PARTLY DUE TO PUBLIC persons compared to July, 2000. It NEGLECT was, on the other hand, more than (Christian Science Monitor, 2.4 million persons lower than the September 30, 2002 level five years earlier, in July As poverty levels in the United 1997. Increases in participation in States rise due to the economic 2001 and 2002 likely have been downturn, experts point out that driven by improved access to the the United States bas the highest program in a growing number of poverty level of all the states, and by the weakened industrialized nations, regardless economy. of economic conditions. The http:/lwww.frac.org/htmllnews/fsp/ poverty rate for children in the U.S. during the 1990's was worse 02july.html than 19 other rich countries. Reducing poverty is generally a REPORT: STATES HAVE low public policy priority in SLOWED THEIR USE OF America. Many poor people in the TANF FUNDS FOR CHILD U.S. could be lifted out of poverty CARE simply by improving access to (Center for Law and Social Policy, current federal programs. .September 23, 2002) FRAC News Digest Since 1996, states have made broad use of their options to redirect TANF funds to provide child care assistance to a growing population of low-income working families, and to improve the quality of child care. A year ago, states reported the high point of that redirection at $3.89 billion. Since then, economic conditions and a host of other > factors may have changed the potential of TANF to help states meet child care needs. Use of TANF for child care has flattened, and some states have begun to make difficult choices that will have the effect of reducing access to child care assistance. http://www.clasp.org/DMSI Documents/I 032806810.141 2001_TANF_CC.pdf (Adobe PDF) IN TRENCHES OF A WAR ON UNYIELDING POVERTY (New York Times, September 29, 2002) Pembroke, Illinois, a small town NATIONWIDE (New York Times, September 29, 2002) The number of farmers' markets has increased by 79 percent since 1994, to 3, 137 markets in all 50 states. Approximately 3. rnillion Americans a week gerfresh food directly from farmers at such markets, which reported about $1 billion in sales last year. Because farmers at markets are selling directly to the consumer, they are able to earn 40 to 60 percent more than by. selling to wholesalers, allowing many small farmers at the urban fringe to stay in business. http://www. nytimes. com/20021091 29/nati9nal/29 FARM.html (free registration required) USDA press release on the nationwide growth offarmers markets: ttp :/!www.usda.gov/news/releases/ 200210910413.htm Farmers' market Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) pilot program. in Buffalo, New York received a $100, 000 USDA grant to improve access to nutritious fruits and vegetables for food stamp recipients: http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/ buffalol stor-ies/20021091231 daily36.html longer lunch periods, and fewer very early or very late lunch periods. The groups feel that improving the environment for eating is just as important as improving the quality of the food. http:llww w.philly.com/midi inquirer/living/education/ 4151415.htm CHILD POVERTY IN NEW MEXICO HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE (Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, NM, September 19, 2002) The percentage of children living in poverty in many parts of New Mexico is higher than the national average, according to the "New Mexico Kids Count Databook 2002." In four of New Mexico's counties, 40 percent of the children live in poverty. The report also notes that if all New Mexicans who are eligible received food stamps, child poverty would be reduced by a quarter. T he Food ~esearch and Action Center (FRAC) News Digest highlights what's new on hunger, nutrition and poverty issues at FRAC, at the U. S. Department of Agriculture, around the network of nationa~ state and local anti­ poverty and anti-hunger organizations, and in the media. MEALTIME SEEN AS The Digest will alert you to 'trends, reports, news items and resources. OVERLOOKED SIDE OF Ben Winter EDUCATION Food Research and Action Center (Philadelphia Inquirer, September 1875 Connecticut Avenue, N W 26, 2002) Suite 540 The shortness of the school lunch Washington, DC 20009 period has gained attention as a (202) 986-2200 x3019 phone http://www.csmonitor. com/ source of poor eating habits for (202) 986-2525 f ax search_content/0930/pl 7s01­ children. USDA, along with the Email: bwinter@frac.org wmgn.html American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dietetic Association, FARMERS' MARKETS and other groups have endorsed 10 · key ways to achieve healthy eating GAINING POPULARITY in schools. Their ideas include t Where i Vendor: 80 cents Printing and Production: 20 cents Your Dollar Goes The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cos t so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more informa­ tion about the program. Many thanks for your support. . �Need Help or Want to Help? If y~u need help or would like ·to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. ~HEJiTERS:Womenand _ hll__!en YWCA Battered Women's Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 762-5660 Salvation Army Welcome .House 859-431-8717 Women's Crisis Center 859-491-3335 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for tHe Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Greater ,­ Cincinnati CoaJiflon J;a. The HomeJes$. • Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) 357-4602 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Hav~n House 863-8866 lnter1aith Hospitality 926-2064 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 861-1111 St. John's Housing 651-6446 HOUSING: CMHA Excel Development Miami Purchase OTR Housing Net. ReSTOC Tender Mercies Tom Geiger House 721-4580 632-7149 241-0504 369-0004 381-1171 639-7056 961 -4555 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie's 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 751-3260 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 38 1-6660 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center tor Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency . 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile 352-2902 Health Van House of Refuge Mission 221-3619 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House . 721-481 1 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De, Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/ Singles) 423-4673 � 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 2002 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 2002 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Dozens Gather at Memorial Site in Over-the-Rhine Pg 2: Memories of Buddy Live On Pg 3: North American Homeless News Digest Pg 4: As Congress Debates War, Stand Down Remembers Homeless Veterans Pg 5: Reader Mail Pg 6: Peace Village: Drawings in the Shadows of 9/11 Pg 7: National Freedom Center to Open in Cincinnati Pg 8: Theater Professionals Explore LA’s “Skid Row” Struggles Pg 9: ¡Bienvenidos! Pg 10: Peace Village Rallies Thousands as Bush Visits Cincinnati Pg 11: Annual Dinner Pg 12: Rally Continued Pg 13: Rally Continued Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Pg 16: Bush solution to Forest Fires: Remove the Forest A Report from the Streets of Iraq Pg 17: Census Data Show Increase in Extent and Severity of Poverty Pg 18: The Misguided Prison Building Frenzy Pg 19: FRAC News Digest 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 2002 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Brendan Goodwin Mary Taylor John Halpin Cheryl Ware Andy Erickson Jimmy Heath Robert Bell Jr. Mike Henson Rev. Maurice McCrackin Robert Mannassa Dr. Steve Sunderland Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Andy Erickson Arts & Poetry Bienvenidos Brendan Goodwin Mary Taylor buddy gray Bush Census Cheryl Ware Child Care Cincinnati Congress Dr. Steve Sunderland education Forest Fires FRAC Georgine Getty Iraq Jimmy Heath John Halpin LA memorial Mike Henson New York News & Editorials Over-the-Rhine Peace Village poverty Prison Rally Reader Mail Rev. Maurice McCrackin Robert Bell Jr. Robert Mannassa Skid Row Street Life Theater veterans War https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/bcfe68bceed3af9939426bde0928d1f7.pdf 2b5aeb8cef4c15d1d8071c458141c752 PDF Text Text . $ t Donation STRHE lv i IBH5 ' Your Progressive News Source BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY OCTOBER 2002 . -- Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless I �OCTOBER 2002 Downtown Protest. Urges TANF Re-authorization Members and supporters of the Welfare Rights Coalition (WRC) gathered in front of the downtown offices of Senator Mike DeWine last month to urge him and his colleagues to pass TANF (Temporary Assistance To Needy Families) re-authorization. TANF is a federal program for very poor families (parents with kids only) that gives them five years of assistance for their whole life time. In Ohio, the program is called OWF or Ohio Works First. OWF is only available for three years. In Ohio though, some families, after being off OWF for two years, can qualify for up to another two years. Members of the WRC are hopeful that Senator DeWine will follow the lead of Ohio Senator George Voinivich who has been urging his fellow Republican colleagues to pass the TANF ,legislation. · The issue of TANF 1 authorization is important, says the 1WRC, because many children __.-+--­ \ depend on the program. Two thirds of the people on OWF are children. Most of these children are under the age of six. According to recent census data statistics gathered by the WRC, poverty rates are on the increase and low-income families are the most vulnerable in a slowing economy. The WRC states that TANF needs to be re-authorized so that families have the opportunity to go to school. Education is an important component of the TANF program so that people can get and keep jobs that pay adequate or livable wages. According to current rent standards, a family needs at least $11.37 per hour to rent a two bedroom apartment in Ohio. The average wage of mom's leaving welfare is between $6.50 to $8.50 per hour. For more information on how to help please conta~ the Welfare Rights Coalition tt (513) 381-4242. \'~~~~--~~~~-~-~~- --·~~ ' ' (above) Protestors are confronted on the street by "security" at Senator DeWines downtown Cincinnati office the paper, editing and writing stories, graphic design and email • communications for the The Streetvibes Streetvibes newspaper production desk at the project. We have been Greater Cincinnati using the same old Coalition for the Homeless computer for production is in desperate need of a new computer. We will be for nearly six years and it is beginning to show its using your new, donated age. We are constantly computer for the layout of plagued by breakdowns STREETVIBES Needs Your Help...• and time in the repair shop. Can you help us? We are in need of a new computer that can handle large programs, sometimes running all at once. Photoshop, Pagemaker and the other programs needed for producing Streetvibes requires a powerful workstation that we just can't afford. And we can't afford the downtime and the repair bills for ou1 old computer. Can you help us? We are seeking a tax-deductible donation of a workstation for Streetvibes. Please call the Streetvibes Editor, Jimmy Heath at the Coalition office - 421­ 7803. Please Help! �STREETVIBES October 2002 Page 2 Oktoberfest Draws Re~ord Crowds, and protesters too by Jimmy Heath .. Oktobe1fest, held last month on 5th street and around Fountain Square, drew record crowds to downtown Cincinnati, over 700,000 people by some estimates. Beer and food vendors say it was one of the best years ever. But for the two dozen or so demonstrators on hand to support and promote the boycott of the downtown business district, it was a rowdy and threatening crowd. hand, but for the most part they ignored the taunting of the protestors by passing crowds. In spite of the aggressive nature of the crowd, the protesters quietly held back, holding their signs and staying close to each other. The protesters had designed a plan to deal with aggressors, by watching each others back and not letting things and each other get out of control. But things did get Asa photographer and concerned citizen, 1 watched and witnessed the threats made by the throngs of festival goers toward the small group of mostly African­ American protesters. to be there. Later in the afternoon the protesters left tbe festival, amidst jeers and whistles from the crowds, to bail their co-protesters o ut of jail. The anger of the white folks gathered against the protesters astonished me. I could not believe my eyes and ears. But there it was, as plain as day. The flashing hatred I saw in the eyes of Cincinnati citizens actually frightened me. I wondered what could bring on such malice. If this had been a white issue with white protesters, would the gathered crowds be as aggressive and intolerant? Do outer-city folks really care about the boycott, or downtown for that matter, except as a s Because of the Protesters face the crowds at Cincinnati Oktoberfest celebration place to park and large crowds, party, drive people were pressed together, and out of hand. In an earlier.-:--:--:;--:----«lt:OlLlgt1...0J:..gt::UC~oQJr~kJ__ ? Did the some were not comfortable sharing altercation, two protesters and a people confronting the prote festival goer were arrested and the closeness with boycotters and really understand the nature of the taken to jail for assault and boycott or what it was about? Had their signs and ehants. th disorderly conduct. A witness said " " hi ~ a w te person, 1 was any one of them ever tak~ both ashamed and disgusted by the that the altercation began when a time in their_ }iy_es..to-exanune their behavior of the white festival goers festival goer poured beer on a own racism and attitudes? How who, with beer cups and bratwurst black protester's head. Some many of us make assumptions about people based solely on what in hand, taunted and cursed the protes.ters were reportedly spit on. protesters. Some in the crowd Whether or not you support they look like or how they dress or yelled obscenities and pointed the boycott, the type of behavior 1 how they speak? Cincinnati is their fingers and others had to be witnessed once again proved to me slow in learning these lessons, and sometimes people don' t seem to held back by friends. I'm not the problems we have in this city easily frightened, but being near with race relations. The things I care. the protesters did not feel safe. On witnessed and heard, the animosity What do you think? I'd a nearby corner, a group of demonstrated by the festival goers like to hear your comments about policemen were gathered, ready to legitimized the presence of the the boycott. Please write me at protesters. In spite of the threats, charge in case things got out of Streetvibes@juno.com. and because of them, they needed Streetvibes Vendor Code Each vendor must sign and agree to abide by the following code of conduct... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed for a $1 voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for donations of more than $1. I also understand that 1 will be able to keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. 2. Streetvibes may only be purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH). Purchasing or selling unauthorized papers, or from other vendors, will result in termination from the program. 3. I agree that I will not ask for donations or attempt to vend after 12 midnight. 4. I agree to treat others with respect - other ven­ dors, customers, and GCCH personnel. 5. I will not sell Streetvibes while under the influ­ ence of drugs or alcohol. 6. I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel threatened. 7. 1 agree not to deceive the public by saying that I am collecting for a not-for-profit charity or that I am collecting for the "homeless" in general. I will be honest in stating that all the profits from the sale of Streetvibes will go to the individual vendor. Falsely stating intent or otherwise misrepresenting is a violation of a city ordinance and may be cause for arrest. 8. I will always present my badge when purchasing papers, and I will display my badge at all times while vending. Replacement badges are $5 each. 9. There are no territories. I agree that I will not contest territories with other distributors. I will not sell on private property without permission. 10. I understand that Streetvibes strives to be a self­ supporting paper created by people who are homeless or formerly homeless. To help in this effort, I will try to spread the word and write stories if possible. 11. I understand that failure to comply with any of the above statements will result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate a vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. �Page 3 STREETVIBES October 2002 Homeless News Linda J. Atkins is the running mate Greater Cincinnati Coalition for of Robert R. Fustero, who recently the Homeless Welcomes New Staff Digest retired after 28 years as a grocery systemic changes in support of the Stinks to be homeless in Orlando, Florida. In earlier August, the Orlando City Council approved an ordinance that could land anyone found sitting or lying down on downtown public sidewalks with a $500 fine and 60 days in jail, according to the Orlando Sentinel ( www.orlandosentinel.com). Giddy with the pleasure of criminalizing homeless people, the council's next vote will be on whether to limit the number of days a year volunteer groups can band out free meals. Turns out some organizations have no sense of propriety and are dishing up lavish grub " as often as once a week." By removing extravagant perks like unlimited access to concrete pavements and food once every seven days, the council appears to believe that Orlando's homeless population will finally concede theirs is not the luxurious, sophisticated lifestyle they once thought it was. Speaking of throwing homeless p eople in jail, New York City has skipped the step of actually finding a homeless person guilty of any illegal trespass, under the premise that unused jail space can double as emergency shelter. According to the New York Times, The Bronx House of Detention for Men will house 80 to 100 families in addition to the 8,400 families already in the city's shelter system every night. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg concedes that a former jail is not the ideal accommodation, but notes that it beats sleeping on the floor of the Emer gency Assistance Unit, where many families have previously spent the night. The Commissioner of homeless services, Linda Gibbs, stresses that the city hopes to only use the detention center for a month or two, after which homeless families will be free to return to the city streets just as winter begins. A woman who has been homeless for almost 10 years is one of the distant hopefuls among the candidates for Maryland's governor and lieutenant governor. Story, Editorial and Art Submission Deadline for the November, 2002 edition of STREETVIBES is Monday, October 14th. store clerk, according to the Baltimore Sun (www.sunspot.net). They will challenge the Democratic frontrunner Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in the September 10 gubernatorial primary. While Townsend is all but guaranteed the spot - she is the only candidate who can afford to run ads and even host her own website - Atkins and Fustero took advantage of the Maryland law that allows any resident over the age of 30 to run for the state office as long as they hand over a $295 filing fee. Atkins, 43, first met Fustero, 51 - who has run for political office twice before ­ when she lost her job as a manager at a fast-food restaurant and suffered a bitter divorce that eventually drove her to become an alcoholic. While homeless, Atkins used local church addresses so she could continue to vote for candidates who cared about issues facing homeless and low-income people. She's now registered to vote out of a motel she recently moved into with her boyfriend. "Everybody should count," Atkins told the Baltimore Sun, "not just the rich." Members Brendan Goodwin Dear Streetvibes Community: I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Brendan Goodwin and I am the new Administrative Coordinator at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Previously, I had worked in Administration at one of the local homeless shelters so I have seen the importance of both providing direct services and advocating for A city authority has admitted dumping dung in two empty houses to stop homeless people squatting in them. Police are investigating, saying Hengelo Council in Holland may have broken environmental laws. The council has promised the smelly houses will be cleaned up as soon as possible. Alderman Geert Ter Ellen said the decision was taken by a city wor ker without the knowledge of councillors. T he dumping was reported to police by two teenagers who came to meet at one of the houses and found the mess. Mr Ter Ellen told the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper: "They immediately informed the police who started an inquiry. Because the houses belonged to the city of Hengelo, the police asked the city administration about it, they said they gave order to dump the dung. "We didn't talk this out at our monthly meetings. It has been ordered by one single civil servant." Write Us! · We'd like to hear from IJOll.·­ ~ 11 - M"'l•:'J r Send letten or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com, or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Andy Erickson To the Streetvibes vendors and readers: Hi! I began working for the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless in September and I'm very excited to be here. I'm working on the National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project, taking over for John Halpin and Molly Lyons. The National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project is a collaboration between the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, and other organizations and individuals across the country. Cities across the U.S. are working on the project, and Cincinnati is one of its nine regional field cites. The main goals of the project are to end civil rights abuses against the homeless (like police harassment and poor homeless population. I am really looking forward to working with the Coalition for the Homeless and all of its constituents. In the past few weeks I have been able to see the positive impact that this organization has on both the lives of homeless individuals and the community. In my new position, I will be responsible for writing grant proposals, fundraising activities and other administrative duties. What I am most excited about is to show potential funders and donors the great programs such as Streetvibes and our Education/ Outreach program and why these types of programs are so essential to ending homelessness in our community. I welcome any suggestions, advice or partnerships that anyone may h ave in how we can better serve the homeless community and the Cincinnati area. Please feel free to stop by or give me a call to introduce yourself. Thank you for your support of Streetvibes and the much needed support you provide to homeless individuals citywide. treatment in shelters), to stop hate crimes against the homeless (like the 41 lethal hate crimes reported in the U.S. in 2000), and to end criminalization of the homeless. Criminalization of the homeless occurs when laws are passed to make illegal those things that the homeless have to do in public for lack of j obs, housing or shelter, such as panhandling, sleeping in the streets, and living in cars. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless formed the Civil Rights Work Group about a year ago. T he group works to end poor treatment of the homeless. The homeless and formerly homeless guide the group, as they know what the most important issues are surrounding their situation. T hey help us pinpoint some of the more pressing problems. Once we understand what those are, we can organize an appropriate campaign. Recently, the group successfully worked to keep poor treatment from occurring in shelters, among other places. The Workgroup will be meeting again soon. If you are interested in joining, please stop by. If you are homeless and you think someone is violating your rights, or if you know a homeless person whose rights are being violated, please let me know. I look forward to working with all of you. �STREETVI B ES October 2002 On the Road by Kenji Bengurion I won 't bore you with the details of my youth or where I'm from, but I will simply and honestly as possible try to relate some details of my life as a hobo. Which, I may add, is different than either a tramp or a bum. Nor will I go into tedious details and explanations of what these differences consist, since I haven' t the space or the inclination. However, I will say this much - that a hobo is more skilled in the different hustles and ways of making money on the street. Also at riding the rails. Now, riding the rails ain' t as easy as the uninitiated might imagine. There are many dangers - the "bulls", derailings and one particular problem that in my beginning adventures cost me much grief and almost my life. Let me illustrate what I mean by a short story. It was about two weeks before Mardi Gras, and I found myself broke in Jacksonville, Fla. I think the year was 1977. I thought Florida was supposed to be warm in the winter, me being a northern Yankee snowbirding person. Was I wrong. It was maybe 30 degrees and intermittent rain and sleet. Well, I figured I'll just catch me a freight like them guys in that movie "Emperors of the North." Anyway, here I was huddled in a clump of willow trees, looking like a fool with five shirts and high-water bell­ bottoms. Being as green as they come, and by nature a bit paranoid, I wasn't gonna ask one of the crewman which train to catch. Now, I didn't have any water or food or even a bedroll, but I wasn't worried - not me. Well, the train highballed out of the yard doing about 50 mph. I stood there exhilarated, heading into the P age 4 The Holidays are Near sun. I felt like Charles Bronson in "Hard Times" as the scenery flitted by - junkyards, families on their back porches, children playing. There's a rabbit, people in cars waved. I was as free as the wind. What: "Magical Evening of Giving,, - malls will close their This was all short-lived and replaced by a sinking feeling of doors and reopen them for ticket holders with special despair as the setting sun slowly but discounts, sales, prizes, food and live music surely started melting to my left. I was going north! When: Tri-County Mall This train was an express. Sunday, November 17, 6:00-9:00pm The first town I saw was Savannah ' Ga. Night was falling and so was the temperature. I paced back and Florence Mall forth all that night, trying to keep Sunday, December 8, 8:00- lO:OOpm warm and cursing my own stupidity. Morning brought Cost: Tickets are $5 each for both malls. All proceeds Baltimore, Md., and two feet of snow. benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless As I eased my chilled body off the boxcar, I heard a shrill voice Call Brendan Goodwin at 421-7803 for tickets or more info! call out. It sounded like something between a screech owl and a 10­ year-old boy. I glanced over and saw the engineer, a small man with by Jacquelyne M. Jordan why haven' t we figured out a way a red kerchief tied around his head to motivate all high school and an engineers' cap perched on Are we throwing away our students to graduate. With his head. future as we continue to allow our President Bush's goal of having "What ya doin' up there? young people to drop out of every child succeed, why do we Yer gonna freeze. Come here and leave our high school dropouts climb on that rear engine, but when school? Do we do enough to keep them from limiting their earning behind in the job market? we go past the towers, duck down. potential, as we watch them fail...!9 t is m humble opinion Don' t want the bulls around here. our at-risk youth wo complete their high school that I was surprsed and better served if our schools somewhat shocked. Then I thought education? Do we allow our schools to discard some of the designed programs to address their -man, I should' ve asked that guy in brightest minds because they are need for employment skills. the beginning. not able to fit the prescribed mold? Students not~ri.ng..ton to I climbed into the engine Have we fought hard enough to college can still benefit from and guess what. It was warm as keep our young people in school? vocational training. Why can't this hell. Felt damn good. People used We are in the twenty first century, type of training be obtainable to comfort and ease should try it legal for minors to quit before they give up on school so why is something like this. The contrast school? What are we teaching altogether? Before we can really makes you appreciate things them about life when they can so adequately address race relations we take for granted (like central easily forfeit the education and homelessness in our city, we heating). required for them to become self­ must deal with our education crisis Well, I made it to Baltimore, and our extremely high dropout sufficient as adults? With all of but that's another story. our advancements in technology, rates. Our future depends on it. From Home Words, a project of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless THIS WINTER, THOUSANDS WILL BE OUT IN THE COLD... CAN YOU HELP THEM? The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, Justice Watch, Mt. Airy Shelter, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Goodwill will be sponsoring a city-wide coat drive for the homeless from October 25 - November 22. Drop-off locations will be throughout the city. Please donate new or slightly used winter coats for men, women and children to Cincinnati's Homeless. For more information or specific drop-off locations, please call John Halpin or Georgine Getty at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at 421-7803. HELP MAKE TIDS WINTER A LITTLE WARMER Already beginning your shopping? Why not shop for a good cause? Just a Few Questions to Ponder Extra! Extra! Advertise in Streetvibes! Reach thousands of downtown UXJrkers each month! Call 421-7803 for more information about how advertising in Streetvibes will work for your business.... While we make every effort to provide a forum for those without a voice, STREETVIBES and the staff of THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, is not responsible for statements, and do not necessarily endorse the opinions of the people whose writings are represented here. �STREE TVIBES O ctober 2002 Letters to Streetvibes Disposition for English Woods not Demolition Some residents of English Woods would like to see Disposition not Demolition at To Robert Manassa, (Streetvibes English Woods. Did you know Vendor) English Woods is scheduled for Today I bought demolition? (600 +families "Streetvibes" from you. I read relocated). While we face the your poem "Love Never Fails" and same issues as Huntington I thought it was beautiful. I was Meadows, we have a unique really nervous about coming opportunity to be involved in the downtown because of the poor revitalization of our community. race relations. But after talking to However, because we are you it felt much better and safer. I financially challenged and are hope you and your loved ones are viewed as the low-low class of the doing well. Sincerely, city, our opinions and our desires The Mason Family are overlooked. We could consider this 20 acres and a mule. This Looking for Mr. Mitchell could be our opportunity to own Having bought the land but it is being taken away magazine and meeting one of the from us. We are being told what is authors in the May 2001 going to happen instead of sitting Streetvibes, I was hoping to get in at the table making it happen ­ contact with him again. The Don't always believe the hype. article is called ''Inspiration" and it Ma,rcia Ma' Ree is signed by a man named D avid Steven Mitchell. The article is so wonderful and inspiring to me that I would love to talk to Mr. Mitchell about it again. I think that he was a member of the Streetvibes staff around that time, Send letters or so if you have any information comments to: concerning how I can contact him, Streetvi bes@Juno.com, I would greatly appreciate any and or write the Coalition offic~ all help. Thank you for your time attn: Streetvibes Letten, and please let me know if I can be of any service to your organization. 1506 Elm Street· Thanks. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 E-MAIL: industrlgm l@yahoo.com Write Us! Page 5 Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine Limited Edition Print ·~ ~ 1 Now available, 18" X 24" poster-size; Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine, Winter 1999. Each print is individually signed by photographer Jimmy Heath. Purchase benefits the children's Literacy Through Photography program at Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine. Posters are $10 each, plus $3 for shipping. Send your order and check to: Peaslee Neighborhood Center Attn: Photography Program 215 East Fourteenth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 or call (513) 621-5514 for more information Universal Living Wage Campaign News web site at The U niversal Living Wage Campaign has come of age with the 500th organizational endorsement. The Bucks County Housing Group in Wrightstown, Pennsylvania has become the 500th organization, business, or municipality to call on the United States Congress to fix the federal minimum wage. Not to be outdone, Texas immediately followed suite as Colonias Unidas became the 50l st organization to endorse. With union support representing large blocks of teachers, auto workers, and communication workers, almost 800,000 people are represented endorsers. This four year grassroots national campaign was launched on April 15, 2001 . It is based on the moral premise: that anyone working a 40 hour week should be able to afford basic rental housing wherever that work is done throughout the United Sates. Please go to our interactive www.UniversalLivingWage.org, sign on and get your organization to sign on. Join the national movement to fix the federal minimum wage. IThe Head Hunter \ "Well, it 's a Fortune 500 company with ex,cellent stock options and a record of very modest j ail terms f or senior executives." �STREETVIBES October 2002 Page 6 Sierra Club Environmental Justice Meeting by Mike Henson On the weekend of August 23 - 25 1 attended the third annual Sierra Club Environmental Justice In-Gathering held in Chicago. There were nearly fifty other Environmental Justice activists from around the country. There were representatives from Chicago; Memphis Tennessee; Cancer Alley in Louisiana; Detroit, Michigan; West Virginia; Colorado; Georgia; and Arizona (including representatives from Hopi and Navaho communities). I was invited to attend as a member of the board of Appalachian Focus, an organization concerned with A Match Made in Heaven by Lois Cross, Homeless Voice News When you run a homeless shelter or a hotel for the poor, you soon find out that love is easy to come by. I think mostly because the homeless people are lonely. We always recommend to the clients who are trying to stay off drugs that they should not have any relationships for some time. Still, we see one relationship after another, and sometimes the same person will have three or four in one month. It is not easy to see a match made in Heaven. So what is a match made in Heaven? They are Frankie and Lizette .... The two of them got married at the newest hotel in - Hollywood - you guessed it, ''Hotel Cosac Quarters". This is our first catering event. The neat thing about having a wedding at the Hotel, which most people call a shelter, is that it is a success story. Frankie came to the shelter almost two years ago. He smoked a lot of pot back then. 1 gave him a drug test, which he failed, and I put him on property confinement and fined him as a consequence. He says that this consequence made him stop smoking pot and shares this -- thought over and over with new clients who have "no hope" in their situation. He is now the Director of Strategy and Circulation at our paper. He's the guy who brings the Homeless Voice to an intersection near you. Although Frankie thinks I am picking on him when I have to tell him he made a mistake, I try to have Frankie remember, "The coach always picks on the kid he justice in the coalfields of the eastern mountains. For the past several years, Appalachian Focus has partnered with the Sierra Club to develop an environmental justice focus for the Club in the coalfields. One aspect of this partnership has been the Listening Project, in which Sierra Club staff and volunteers worked with Appalachian Focus board members to plan the shape and purpose of the Club's coalfield efforts. We agreed that the Club would hire a Resource Person to be based in the coalfields to support communities in their fight against mountaintop removal, toxic dumping, and other environmental attacks. The EJ program of the Sierra Club is based on two documents, the Principles of Environmental Justice and the Principles of Environmental Justice organizing. The first document outlines the need for environmental concerns to take social justice issues into account. The second provides strong guidelines for SC staff and volunteers who want to support low-income communities. Respect is the key. The In­ Gathering was a chance to meet activists from around the country, share strategies, and to develop plans for future work. It was also a chance to encourage the broader Sierra Club to continue to develop its EJ program. Of the "big ten" likes best." And Ilive by that philosophy. Then there is Lizette, who has changed her life in a positive way too. She remembers exactly when she arrived at Helping People in America shelter. It was April 18, 2001 at 6pm. She was referred by a soup kitchen in Pompano who knew of her plight. Now you will often see her at the reception desk. This is an important position, because she is the first contact people will have with our agency. The same with any phone calls that come in. Sometimes situations and problems here, such as a new arrival who is drunk and smarting off at her, or even our own people's "bi-polar" outbursts, will stress her out. But when she bumps into Frankie it is all washed away. If she is stressed, Frankie · makes her calmer. Her facial expression changes, her eyes light up and her voice changes. But let me tell you, this girl can hold her own. She is strong enough to not let anyone push her around, yet gentle enough to speak the soothing words when needed. She keeps them in line and assures them that everything will be okay. She also has nursing experience, which has helped to bring a potential problem to our attention immediately. Then there is Beba (this is her nickname, her real name is Jocilyn). Although she will be 12 in September, we still call her "little." She is Lizette's daughter and her girlish looks very much resembles her mom's. Beba has had some rough times too, during the time her mom was struggling with her own life. For a while they didn't live together as a family, she had been staying with her aunt. Once Lizette started stabilizing, Beba would come for weekend visits. Her first visit was on Mother's day and I know that was so very special for Lizette. But now she and mom and Frankie are one happy family, a family that Beba longed for. She is a very quiet little girl, who likes to read and play with her Barbie dolls. Maybe this was her way of making a happy family for herself. She's a real down to earth young lady (I like to call her that), who doesn't worry about the latest fashions. Her mom says she's happy with a pair of sneakers from the dollar store. She's very sensitive though, just like her mom. She likes to please people and if she feels that she has done wrong or disappointed someone, she is sometimes reduced to tears. Sean has so many times comforted her. She's even overcoming emotional stress in school and brags to Sean that her grades are improving. "Sometimes when I am stressed and getting ready to call it quits permaneI!tly, Little Beba will come by and say to me , ' got an "A" on my test or 'my last grade was an "F' and now my report card shows a "C". Then 1 say to myself 1 guess I won't quit today," said Sean. Last night when we were all leaving the hotel, we stood around my car and did some more impromptu planning. It was late and past curfew when a husband and wife (they have been with us for a few days) came home. There was a lot of talk back and forth of plans for their future and when they walked toward the front door with Sean, Lizette turned to me and said, "You know when I first came to the shelter over on Lincoln street, I was still in a struggle with my life... but trying to do better. I would see Sean around the property and talking to people and I had heard people's comments on him and how he runs things." I environmental organizations, the Sierra Club is the only one to take on an EJ program. Environmental Justice is the only SC program with a full-time attorney; there are full-time organizers in Memphis, Detroit, and Arizona; two co­ coordinators serve the program. Yet EJ is still a small part of the Sierra Club picture. In parting remarks, Larry Wilson of Appalachian Focus, and the out­ going consultant for the SC/EJ program, reminded the group of the great strides the group has taken and of the task ahead. For information on the Sierra Club Environmental Justice program, contact the Sierra Club web site,www.Sierraclub.org thought, "He doesn't even know who I am." That was until one day I heard someone call my name. I turned around and it was Sean. He said, "You're doing much better." That's when I realized that he did know who I was and that he was really paying attention and that was the day my life started to really change. Ttrisiittle.famil lives off campus in their own apartment. They come to work every day; Beba sometimes does her homework here. W~..all­ one big happyfaffiily ... with all the love, anxiety and problems that go with all families ... but it is the love that overcomes all. We truly wish Frankie and Lizette and Beba a long and happy life. "May the best you have ever known, be the worst you will ever see." Charlton Heston said that, I think. Reprinted with Permission by The Homeless Voice , Davie, Florida. The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose. Heda Bejar Sometime in your life, hope that you might see one starved man, the look on his face when the bread finally arrives. Hope that you might have baked it or bought or even kneaded it yourself. For that look on his face, for your meeting his eyes across a piece of bread, you might be willing to lose a lot, or suffer a lot, or die a little, even. Daniel Berrigan, SJ �STREETVIBES October 2002 'T he Homeless Ethicist by Rafael Santana Homeless people, as you may know, are subject to being picked up against their will if ~ey're sleeping or laying about or just sitting outdoors when _the weather goes below freezing. Th.is law is said to be in effect "for the greater good." As we've seen in our overseas conflict, certain traditional American legal proscriptions-including sufficient warrants and right to privacy with counsel-have been abrogated for that same "greater good." What do you think of such measures? Is there need for the state to step in in certain "emergency" situations and act? Or is any curtailment of absolute liberty - even if it leads to death-to be avoided? RESPONSE by Harold Krinsky: We must maintain a balance to show a presentable city. It's unsightly to see people lying in the street. We are responsible for other human beings. We should do research on why people would lie in the street. The balance is; if we have an attractive city, tourists will spend millions of dollars and dollars being income and taxes, taxes pay for homeless shelters. I mean to enhance them with tax revenue. The state has the right to "step in" in case of "emergency", very cold weather or lying in front of a business establishment. We also must make the shelters comfortable and safe so the homeless populations would want to go there when in need. RESPONSE by Don Levit: Any "curtailment of absolute liberty," however small in theory, is dangerous, for who is to say where and when it ends? I do not care for others deciding where the state overrides my personal rights; who is to decide? For example, do socalled situational ethics justify state torture; and if so, for how long? If someone chooses to remain outside, even if only to avoid a shelter, that is his or her business - . a personal choice. The state, the police, should not get to make that decision. RESPONSE by Toby Van Buren: This is not easy to answer. There are times when for one's own good, certa1n liberties may need to be compromised, especially if survival is the concern. When it's simply a · matter of one being an "eyesore" on the streets, and nothing else, · then the only thing one can do is try to "persuade" these people to accept some kind of help, not to force them to. I believe in one's freedom to be where he or she wants to be, though being homeless on the streets is not where one would normally want to be (there are some exceptions). But to be forcibly taken to some place against one's will, nothing is really accomplished, tn most cases. Except perhaps in extremely cold weather, where life itself is at stake. It's a situation where you should (the police or whomever is taking the action on the homeless), see what condition a homeless person is in. If he is fit, seeming to be a "veteran" of the streets, having experienced going through a number of winters without any problems, and be appears well and robust, even mentally upbeat, I'd leave him be. Maybe it is good to check on known homeless on the streets duri.J1g severe weather, to see if they're okay, and if they seem okay and choose not to go to a shelter, then leave them be, wish them well, wave good-bye, etc. On Sireetvibes newspaper is publislied monthly on a shoe-string· budget from the offices of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Can you help us with some oftbeif.ollowingitems? o Electric Stapler - Heavy duty Page 7 SAVE THAT DATE!!! .. Saturday, December 14, 2002, 6:30pm GCCH Annual Dinner The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless will host its annual dinner on December 14, 2002. This dinner is a celebration of the past year 's accomplishments in ending homelessness citywide. Tickets are $15 or more (depending oil what you can affor d) If you cannot make it, please consider sponsoring a homeless individual to attend the dinner at $15 or sponsor an entire table for $120. For tickets or to sponsor, please call Brendan Goodwin at 421-7803 the other hand, there are those who are hanging on by a "thread" health-wise, mentally and physically, who are in no condition to make wise decisions regarding their welfare. Then I'd say it is our duty to get them offthe streets, but not necessarily permanently; one still must try to respect their rights. It's a thin line, really, between those who can decide for themselves and those who cannot. RESPONSE by Bryan Gerard Briggs: On the homeless situation, I would answer it by saying, if the w.eather is freezing, yes they do need shelter, no ifs, ands or buts; it is a necessity. Common sense will tell you that if you're going to be out in below-zero weather, you're going to freeze to death. (On the flip side of this, I would say make sure the shelter is safe.) On the topic of OlJ! "civil liberties at stake," I'd say that while I do not necessarily agree with racial profiling, as far as going after [those] who blew up the World Trade Center, I'd say to the government: Do what you've gotta do, because hey, if you' re going to be stupid enough to screw with America then you'd better be prepared to pay the piper! RESPONSE by Kristi: Particular actions can result in consequences that are not a reflection of "the greater good." To question one's ability to think for oneself and determine what freedom should mean is contradictory to the right to choose. Reprinted from Upward, January 2002. To submit your quandaries and dilemmas to their panel of ethicists, you can email us at upward­ nyc@ciol.com, f ax us at (212)883-0672, or send a letter to The Homeless Ethicist, ~Jo Rafael Santana, 211 E. 43rd St., Suite .1004, NYC 10017. Know Your Rights Brochure Available! The Know Your Rights Brochure is now available at the Coalition's office. The brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati's homeless and covers a person's basic rights when interacting with the police, as well as some local ~t'~ } laws that might be of interest to the homeless population. If you are a p homeless person or if you work . with homeless people and would ~ ' like to obtain free copies of the ·· brochure for yourself or your ~ agency, please call 421-7803, or • stop by the Coalition office and ~ pick one up. r · �STREETVIBE S October 2002. Page 8 In the ''Git-Along Gang:'' My life as a Safety Ambassador from Real Change, Seattle. Ambassdors' ready and waiting to make your metropolitan Seattle "Sir? Sir, its 8:30 in the experience as enjoyable as morning and its time to get up and possible. You should consider the. get moving along, sir!" No Safety Ambassadors as your response from under the three or personal guides to Downtown four grungy blankets, on top of an Seattle." The DSA, a business old piece of carpet, insulated from association formed to support its the cold concrete by an extra­ members, runs the MID program. The fellow who we would roust thick cardboard box·near Sixth Avenue and Lenora Street on a that morning was not a rate-paying beautiful November morning last property owner or retail tenant in the downtown Seattle area. Why year. "Sir?" repeated my partner couldn 't we let him alone? for the eighth time, "You 'll have We returned 20 minutes to get up and get moving, or I'm later and the guy was s till there, going to call the police, and you '11 trying to sleep. Roger was definitely not going to make his get a ticket for camping." Third day on the job. I'm downtown experienGe as enjoyable as possible. The MID brochure a Seattle Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) explains that Ambassadors "help "Safety Ambassador" in training. reduce crime by acting as additiqnal eyes and ears for the According to the Safety Seattle police." I then learned Ambassador's promotional brochure, "your safety and about the only piece of equipment comfort are our foremost concern that Safety Ambassadors use to put some bite into their bark: the radio while you are visiting Downtown to the MID "Base." When they Seattle." This guy was obviously visiting downtown Seattle. I radio the base, ·Ambassadors speak asked my partner/trainer, whom · loudly into the radio in hopes that the people who are sleeping, I'll call Roust 'em Roger, how in the world was this homeless guy's partying, drinking, trafficking, sleeping out of sight our foremost skateboarding, propositioning or concern? panhandling in the doorway, at the "We' ll walk around the dock, on the sidewalk, or in front corner and come back in 15 of a store will overhear. They _ might get a little anxious and move minutes to make sure he's up and moved on," was Roger 's answer. on. Base will continue radio traffic I got a funny feeling that I wasn 't and try to determine whether or not the police, Emergency Services, or going to last lorig as a Safety Ambassador. I was getting angry, Detox should be called to the and said, "Roger, the dude is scene. The fellow who was trying sleeping there, minding his own business, bothering no one. What to sleep overheard Roger's radio do you want to get in his face for, call for SPD to come and roust the homeless guy for "trepassing," for just wa_nting to sleep?" According to the MID brochure, finally got up, wrapped up his stuff · Roger and I were "distinctively­ and moved on, as usually happens uniformed and friendly 'Safety in these sort of situations. After he left, Roger showed me how to roll up the guy 's piece of carpet and cardboard and put it in a dumpster, to make it difficult for him to come back the next evening. "Thanks for tjle training, Roger," I said. "Whenever I want to learn how to be a real prick, I' 11 ask if I can go out on patrol with you again ." For the rest of my time at this job, these situations occurred daily. I found it more and more difficult to be a real "Goodwill Ambassador," as some of the MID employees prefer to call themselves. Because the MID . hires people from shelters and other social services, I met homeless people who referred to us Safety Ambassadors as "homeless people who have jobs" - distinctively uniformed "bodies" just out and about, looking for and getting in the face of Seattle's marginalized and homeless population. For men and women who were homeless themselves j ust months before, the starting pay isn't bad. I took the job because I did sincerely want to be a goodwill ambassador. I wanted to give information to tourists and visitors, assist the local merchants with information about the many downtown activities, help homeless people get food , shelter and medical referrals, and try to be a deterrent to crime. As it turned out, I lasted less than 60 days. Why was I unceremoniously "terminated" at the end of December? I just didn't fit into the program. Only two weeks before I was fired, I started getting premonitions that I wouldn' t last long with the MID. Instead of feeling fearful that I might lose·my job, I took a positive view: it would be an honor to be fired for the first time in my life. Later, when Bill Dietrich, the DSA director of the MID program explained to me that I was entitled to appeal my termination, I thought, "I don't have any grievance about getting the axe from this bunch of DSA choreboys. Who needs it?" I toJd Mr. Dietrich, "Well, I'11 just go to the media and tell them about your overpaid, untrained and unprofessional flunkies, and see what they want to wlite." He laughed and told me that the media wouldn't be interested. ''I' 11 bet Real Change would like to use the story." He laughed again and said, "No one who matters reads Real Change. The DSA has been around for 56 years, and we' ll be around for another 56 years ; you can't change anything. "Well Bill, you might be right, but unlike you, I believe that every one of us is accountable and will eventually be held responsible for what we did and did not do to try to make things better. What got me was how insensitively the DSA's hireli~gs - some of whom were former and "reformed" homeless persons ­ acted toward their old peers. Wouldn't money be more wisely spent on initiating housing and job programs for the long-term homeless, rather than on these uniformed rousters? The MID program is just another get- 'em­ outta-my-face, don't-confuse-me­ with-the-facts, short-sighted fix-it plan. The issue isn' t "Why are you sitting here?" The issue is, very clearly, "Lets do something ab_o ut it, folks." Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (5.13) 621-5514 "I see the Accounting Department got hold ofourpaychecks." Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education �STREETVIBE S O ctober 2002 Page 9 iBienvenidos! Volunteer Opportunities at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless by Samantha Brockfield Ahora Streetvibes est.a dedicando una pagina a su comunidad. Este es el peri6dico escrito para crear una conciencia de las personas sin hogar, la injusticia social, y la pobreza en nuestra cuidad. Es la hora que se oye la voz de usted. l Ha pasado algo emocionante en su vida recientemente? l Tiene Ud. unas ideas que quiere publicar? l Ha escrito algun tipo de poesfa? Streetvibes quiere publicar sus historias, su poesfa, su prosa, y sus pensarnientos. Hay personas que pueden ayudarle a escribir y preparar todo para redactarlo. Tambien, Ud. puede ser un vendedor de Streetvibes y ganar dinero. La Coalici6n de Greater Cincinnati provee el peri6dico para las personas sin hogar en Over-the-Rhine. El meta de la coalici6n es eliminar la situaci6n , de personas sin hogar, con respeto a la dignidad y diversidad de sus miembros, las personas sin hogar, y la comunidad. La Coalicion y sus miembros pueden darle a usted lo siguiente: el refugio de emergencia, las habitaciones provisionales, la vivienda permanente, los servicios medicos, There are numerous opportuniti.es for volunteers at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. We are willing to work witb each individual in choosing a service opportunity that is right ~or them. The following are a ::few of the areas in which the Coalition could use your belP.! Designing a web site for our Natjonal Civil Rignts Organizing Project. This would include workin~with two Amerieorp Vista volunteers on how to prevent further criminalization of homeless individuals as well as preventing the increasing hate crimes against them. We need the help of people interested in doing journalism work. This includes interviewing homeless and formerly homeless iqdlviduals to document their stories of how they became homeless and the struggles that .result from homelessness. We need help with our quarterly newsletter and annual report. The Streetvibes newspaper los servicios sociales, los lugares donde Ud. puede obtener comida, y los servicios de salud mental. Nosotros creemos que es importante que Ud. sepa cuales son sus derechos civiles como persona sin hogar. Tenemos folletos que los explican. Nos gustaria que Ud. nos visitara algun dia para que le podamos dar servicios mejores. Para reunirse con La Coalicion: 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 www.cinci.com/ gcch Para ayuda, Harne- Su Casa Ministerio Hispano (513) 761-1588 115 W. Seymour Ave Cincinnati, Ohio 45216 San Damiano House- Los Hermanos de Las Personas Pobres (513)241-8585 923 Bank St Cincinnati, Ohio 45214. Tambien, hay una lista de lugares (para el refugio, la vivienda, el tratamiento medical, y otros Servicios) en la ultima pagina del peri6dico. Local Schizophrenia/Schizo-affective Research Study * Financial Compensation * 45 years and over * Symptoms of depression * 13 visits (513) 861-3100 ext 4187 or toll free (888) 267-7873 ext 4187 National Homeless Civil Rights ,Organizing Project (NHCROP) Regional Office 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelessciv.i lrights@yahoo.com (513) 421-7803 D I SC JOCKEY C l i£.ford J ones ( 513) 761 - 3464 Offic e , The GCCH would like to th ank these Starb ucks l ocations for th e ir generous donation o f c o ffee and 3 3 66 Erie Avenue E a st Hyd e Park (51 3) 533-3402 -~ j y 7896 Montgomery Rd. Kenwood 891 - 7740 e-''nail: jon esaCV (513) ·230- 6353 et • •"o~·~ pastries. SEl~VICE www V o icemail ·C~~· '4r,_, tiexchang.e· c:P Extra! Extra! Advertise in Streetvibes/ Reach thousands of down town wor kers each m ont h! Call 421-7803 for more information about how advertising in Streetvibes will work for your business.... �STREETVIBES October 2002 Page 10 The Peace Village Lives on 9/11 lining v.:~crowdedbythelocalfirehouse, up to present flowers , a hearty by Dr. Steve Sunderland All of the activities of the Peace Village happened on 9/11/ 2002 with beauty, grace, and amazing participation. Our night long vigil at our Hillel Jewish Student Center was unforgettable, as we heard Islamic, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and others came to share in the reading of the names of those killed on 9111 as well as share stories of peace. Music was provided by folk singers throughout the night, heartfelt discussions of peace and 9/11 kept us alive to how special the conversations are. We realized that our efforts will need to continue if we are not to meet and read another long list of names of innocent victims of terrorism. What was amazing throughout the night, was that each speaker and performer broadened the perspective on what was lost on 9/11 and what we must do to increase our understanding of the causes of this tragedy. It became clear that many of us had never really faced, in a sufficient length of time, the deep issues underlying our place in the world. We started as bystanders and ended up, 8 hours later, as citizen participants, changed by the simple reading of the names of the deceased and the complex thoughts and emotions shared. In short, we were changed as we moved to the center of our grief and desire to know more about this world. As the morning anniversary of the planes crashing happened, we met in a serious and wonderful ~ Peace Village Global Phone Call, linking Africa, Israel, The Netherlands and the US. It was a wonderful effort, despite some technical issues, and continued our efforts to recognize our brothers and sisters all over the world for courageous and ongoing peace work. And, thank you Ed Irvin, of Convertgys, for your great support. What came through to each participant on the phone was something about the preciousness of lives dedicated to peace in places that have been deeply wounded by war, indifference, and apathy. We heard from young high school youths dedicated to building a bridge of "love" in their schools between people of different and often hateful cultures. We heard from our elders about the long - struggle for respect and rights that has been a part of long lives of faith in peace over war. We heard about the beauty of places that have only had persistent war, the beauty finding its way into the deepest parts of the heart of peace makers. We heard the good laughter of people who enjoyed the life of being a peace worker, and delighted in the joy of being with long lost members of the peace family. We heard that peace is directly related to the removal of disease and that the eradication of polio was now possible. We beard that peace can come through acts of courageous talk even when there has been great brutality, death and torture. And, we heard that peace is a form of healing, for the dying and the living. We left the phone call and vigil to join the Peace Village Interfaith Walk for Peace, touching base and sharing prayers and songs with 12 congregations. We started at the mosque in glorious sunlight, !earing the Koran, and slowly and with full hearts our walk toward the University of Cincinnati. It was an amazing first for our Cincinnati community, to hear and join with all of the faith groups in explicit acts of prayer and discussion. We were al least 200, moving slowly, mindfully, and with a building sense of joy. We paused at Hebrew Union College for water, for music, and for some reflection on what we were doing and then walked over to hear president Steger and vice president, Livingston honor our Peace Village and to make it clear that international students, and a welcoming of international students and faculty, will continue at the University of Cincinnati. How wonderful to hear words of courage and peace. I looked around as we walked to see how people of different faiths were experiencing this unusual walk for peace. While there was little evidence that anyone was confused, I began to feel that the many different faiths were taking some time to declare solidarity rather than competition and that this was both new and refreshing. We stopped 12 or 13 times at different houses of faith and heard the beautiful words of cooperation, mutuality, and hope. Our numbers swelled and so we had to squeeze together to hear these staterpents, becoming mixed into Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Islamic crowds of learning people. How rare this was to walk hand in hand with all of these faiths, now and then stopping for the refreshment of another form of wisdom. Some of the rituals and songs were not known by everyone and I am sure that there was a respectful deafness to some of the key words being offered by different faith leaders. Yet, I felt a constancy of gentleness with every pause to hear the morsel of words of peace offered. An elderly man, beautifully dressed, read from a weathered copy of the Koran. We heard and then, together, · ambled over to Catholics and Protestant statements and songs. All of the verses of "Amazing Grace" were sung ih the bright sunlight, each verse seeming to lift some spirits as if sunbeam by sunbeam. for, soon, the Cincinnati Public Library exhibit. Being with little ones, ages 6-10, made the questions of the day even more unbearable. Would these kids have a life of social peace? Would the world of violence, now so personal in our experience, become the dominant feeling in their lives? Who will make this world a safer and gentler place in Winton Place? The day was too warm and the spirits of the children too full to overdo these questions. We drew, we shared , we talked, and we connected to our place of peace. I finished this extraordinary day at team member, Rev. Jerry Hill's church, Clifton United Methodist, sharing with team members, Ed Irvin, Rabbi Sam Joseph, and others.some of our feelings about the day and what it means to us. Rabbi Joseph gave a brilliant talk about one of the transformative moments in Jewish history, the time when Jews chose the school over suicide during the battle with the Romans. Others spoke with clarity and feeling about their experiences. We ended with a poem of hope from Jerry's son, Jacob, and a singing of the peace song, "Let Peace Begin, and Let it Begin with You." I am full of so many emotions that I want to meditate on the prayers of gratitude for you all. I know that I have not mentioned the great work on 9/11 of the Center for Peace Education in our local schools yesterday. Over 800 kids were talking about peace and brotherhood. I am grateful to the children and parents of The Harriet Tubman Project,and for the spirit of Harriet Tubman who was with us for the whole time. And, of course, I am grateful for the whole team of Posters 4 Peace/Village for making this village an alive one, full of elders, the young, the blind, the disabled, the teachers, the doctors, the nurses, the artists, the musicians, the politicians, the friends, the families, and everyone. Our Peace Village lives, it is flourishing in every area of the globe, without publicity, and with great tenderness. Let us remember the work of all those who have created our village, those living and those who have recently died, whether in Cincinnati, in 9/11 , or in the loving arms of our family. Our work, your work, goes on, deeper, more beautiful for your involvement, more inclusive of those who are aware, and with the kind of hope that will live as our greatest teaching. handshake, and, most beautifully, to hear the words of thanks from the captain and his crew, tears running up and down everyone's faces. On we went, now 200 or more, toward Hebrew Union College, the first reform Jewish school for rabbis, and were happily greeted by 50 or more students and, a table of water bottles, necessary for our marathon of peace walking. We heard songs and prayers, felt hugs and delight, and completed our walk to the plaza · at the University of Cincinnati, hearts full of what we had done, and what it could mean to each of us, if but for a moment. I left the University and went of our Peace Village/Cincinnati Children's Hospital conference on, "The Roots of Violence in Children." Over 100 members of the hospital community bad the opportunity to discuss this very powerful topic, made more so by doing it on 9/11. Merrell Frazier and his group, "The Harriet Tubman Project," were featured in a 20 minute video exploring the voices of young people struggling with violence. Emory Livers, team member, and I I co-chaired the event. It was taped for sharing at a later date with our friends in other countries and states. It was clear that the interest in this topic would be part of an ongoing series at Children's Hospital, hopefully involving many members of the team. The emotions of the day were in evidence in the conference. Voices quivered as question and comments were offered by the audience of health staff that packed the Sabin Auditorium. And there was poise in the panel of pediatricians, educators and some of the youth that were featured in the film. Looking into the faces of these beautiful children as they found the eloquence to talk about how they were overcoming prejudice and first impressions, inspired us to want to find some way of protecting these children from the waves of violence so common. We wanted to find a way of breaking cycles of violence through adult and youth support efforts, perhaps drawing on the creative arts. We wanted these children to remember 9/11 as a starting place for humanity and tenderness on the part of a caring adult society. We ended the conference with simple words of_ respect and hope and with the belief that a Children's Hospital was a Dr. Steve Sunderla.nd's great place for a peace village to "Posters For Peace" project find roots. engages people ofall ages, races When the conference and beliefs in expressing their finished, I joined team member, visions ofpeace through art and Linda Wihl, director, Winton Place discussion. Dr. Sunderla.nd is a Youth Center, for a poster session on 9/11, with children ages, 6-12. A professor of Social Work at the wonderful sharing, with powerful University of Cincinnati pictures being created and heading �STREET VIB E S October 2002 Page 11 Hou5ing Services Job Services Free Breakfast ·and lunch Entertainment \Jy DJ Andy Glover · for more intorm . · at~ion ~ or to vo1unteer contact! Joh . with the · · n Halptn Greater Cincinnati Coalition for t he Homeless 1· . \ f ....,~, . T HE CITY OF : . C INCINNATI ld(t'S fmllidilll 421-7803 �STREETVIBES O ctober 2002 Ban the Beggars! by Becky Johnson Santa Cruz, Ca. - A casually dressed tourist leans against a building downtown on Pacific Avenue idly sipping his iced mocha cappuccino, as he soaks in the pageantry of the street traffic. Next month, this act will most likely be a criminal act. Although the dramatic changes to the sitting ordinance, the soliciting ordinance, .display of merchandise, storage of property, and the conduct on public property ordinance were pushed through, few of the problems merchants had complained about will be addressed. Instead of addressing perceived problems of vandalism, shoplifting, shootings, stabbings, drug sales, sexual harassment, and lack of bathrooms, the new laws target sitting, sparechanging, and resting an "unattended" backpack on the sidewalk with additional restrictions on street performers and political activists. Gentrification seemed to be the merchant agenda, for these r ·rdinances target the menacing acts of blowing bubbles, playing hackey-sack, Frisbee, football, juggling, jacks, people playing music, street musicians, tarot card readers, political tables, and beggars. Already illegal on Pacific Avenue are dogs, skateboards, putting a foot on the 8'' high concrete lip of a tree-well, asking for spare change after dark, sitting on a bench the wrong way, asking for spare change from a seated position or in groups of two or more, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, lying down, sitting ten feet from a building, dropping a cigarette butt on the sidewalk, "displaying" your artwork on or music for sale (or even for a donation), and, if you believe the police, chalking ou the sidewalk. Differentially effected by the ordinances are the street musicians who accept donations, street entertainers such as Mr. Twister and Wild Willie, two clowns who twist balloons into animal shapes to the delight of children. They accept tips for their work, so they will be ghetto­ ized. " Two and half weeks and three downtown commission meetings later, on August 13th, the RDA maps still failed to indicate all benches, some crosswalks, and at least one large planter area, exaggerating the area of the "opportunity zones" as Vice-Mayor Emily Reilly cheerfully renamed the small areas not covered or forbidden by her law. Her upbeat bigotry is not new. Last October she led the council to ban homeless parking in the Harvey West industrial area of Santa Cruz from SAM to 7 AM allegedly for daily "street cleaning." 400 - 500 homeless people, living in their vehicles, risk losing those vehicles if they cannot pay the expensive tickets that can accumulate quickly. Reilly described this homeless­ removal program as "a compromise". Councilmember Tim Fitzmaurice, who is the only incumbent seeking re-election this November, seems determined to bring his City Council rules of decorum to the public sidewalks of Pacific Avenue. He has banned hackey-sack players from Pacific Avenue. "How can banning hacky-sacks reduce drug dealing on Pacific Avenue?" Mayor Christopher Krohn asked. Councilmember Ed Porter answered back that drug dealers get bored waiting for a drug deal to occur and like to entertain themselves by playing hacky­ sack. Highlighting the public comment period on the downtown ordinances was the Mammary Manifesto. This ad hoc collective of three 20 yr-olds wrote a colorful and well-researched critique (see www. frazadelic.com) of the perceived crime wave on Pacific Avenue, and read it during the public comment period. Moments after passing the sweeping ordinance changes into law, the councilmembers planned to grant exemptions. "We won't ban professional bubble blowers," Councilmember Ed Porter confidently predicted. ~ut no such language appeared in the text of the ordinance they had just passed. The Downtown Commission was given the clean­ up job. In early August, the generally pro-ordinance commissioners walked Pacific Avenue looking for "traditional" areas to exempt from the 14 foot forbidden zones for street musicians, political tables, or street entertainers. No one advocated for the beggars. In fact, it's all about the beggars. Sexual harassment is already illegal under existing ordinances. The ordinances expand the prohibitions against peaceful sparechanging from a seated position, in groups of two or more, or after dark to include silent sparechangers, performers, or political activists on all Page 12 sidewalks in town. What does this have to do with women walking on Pacific Avenue who are getting unwanted come-ons from young men? Neither the Downtown Commission nor its "Big Brother" the City Council could say. But they worked furiously on "finding exemptions" for the "worthy" donation seekers (tablers and performers). Less hypocritical was Orlando, Florida - which banned sitting or lying on the sidewalk in August. While the Santa Cruz City Council and the Santa Cruz Sentinel said not one word about the main target of these laws: "commercially unviable" homeless people according to the Orlando Sentinel was more outspoken. The Orlando City Council had voted 6-0 to further crack down on the homeless after getting complaints that too many vagrants sleep in doorways or spend hours on sidewalks in front of businesses. The undeniable conclusion is that the purpose of these ordinances is to ban the beggars. Since the Santa Cruz soliciting ordinance is in place citywide, and most other sidewalks in the commercial districts are less than 14' wide, quite a chunk has been taken out of public space to "discourage" homeless people and panhandlers. An obscure part of the Santa Cruz ordinance bans the purchase of an item for an amount that is so much larger than the value of the item that both parties agree its a donation. One young woman commented. "I tried to get some items for my apartment on Pacific Avenue, $60 for a pot! Sheets for $125! I feel I must be donating well above the true value when I shop on Pacific Avenue!" After a two-week warning period the police will begin to ticket homeless people for standing and holding signs after dark. Violators must pay the state $162. If they don't pay the fine, they will be arrested and jailed for an additional $200 booking fee. Repeat offenders may face the irony of probation condition that ties them to the Santa Cruz area for three years, but bars them from the downtown area, as is being done with minor marijuana dealers in the latest police crackdown and selective enforcement. In August, the CPRB voted to hold a special hearing to look into police harassment and selective enforcement downtown. At the Downtown Commission, activists were asking the commission to use their positions to try to stop the new laws. "At least wait until you hear from Berkeley, Olympia, and Portland on alternative solutions" said an activist from Downtown For All, an organization that formed precisely to oppose the new ordinances. Downtown For All has begun plans to make citizens arrests of well-to-do citizens sitting down on the sidewalk waiting for a trendy breakfast at Zachary's or for jaywalking across the street by the Cinema 9. Selective enforcement is the key to banishing the beggars on Pacific Avenue. If well-dressed middle-class people and visiting tourists receive $162 citations for sitting or crossing a street, the council may just rush back to reconsider. Robert Norse contributed to this story. ------------------~--~--~ ~----"'!"""!!'~----~----~~ �Page 13 STREETVIBES October 2002 Sub-Prime Lenders Target Minority Neighborhoods Residents of Ohio's minority and African-Ame1ican neighborhoods are twice as likely to receive a subprime loan than residents in white neighborhoods. That's according to . information compiled·from the year 2000 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. It shows that Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) rank very high in aggressive marketing of subprime refinancing loans in both Afiican­ American neighborhoods and concentrated minority neighborhoods versus white neighborhoods. Application numbers for subprime refinancing loans in African-American neighborhoods for the year 2000 show that Ohio MSAs represented five of the top 10 MSAs in the entire country, and 9 of the top 50 (or 18% of the top 50 MSAs in the country). The same data for subprime refinancing loan application~ in concentrated minority neighborhoods for the year 2000 show that Ohio represents four of the top ten M SAs in the entire country, and six of the top 20 (or 33% of the top MSAs in the country). The information further supports the contention that the lack of prime lenders in these neighborhoods has led to the explosion of subprime lending in these same neighborhoods. When you're fmaUy up on the moon, looking back at the earth, all these differences and nationalistic ·traits are pretty well going to blend and you' re going to get a concept that maybe this is really oµe world and why the hell can't we learn to live together like decent people? Frank Borman "The unfortunate truth is, many of these borrowers could possibly qualify for prime loans but prime lenders have left these neighborhoods subject to the heavy marketing tactics conducted by subprime lenders," said Chip Bromley director of Metro Strategy Group. Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have confirmed that anywhere from 10% to 50% of subprime borrowers could qualify for a prime loan. The exponential growth of the subprime market is not due to impaired credit but to a new form of redlinin g. This is further reinforcement of recent research by such groups as Center for Community Change, ACORN, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development showing that subprime products are over­ marketed to minority communities. This new data only confirms and supports previous research done on subprime lending in Ohio. Statewide, subprime lending is having dramatic and dangerous impact on minority and African­ American neighborhoods. ''The State of Ohio needs to devote its attention to this issue immediately. This is a serious civil rights is~ue to be addressed by a full-scale investigation by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission,'" said Bromley. From the Homeless Grapevine, Cleveland Ohio ART, MUSIC, AND WRITING OPPORTUNITIES! basic photography skills through Peaslee Neighborhood Center, introductory courses provided at 215 East 14th Street, hosts lots Peaslee. Call the Center for of aits opportunities for adults and children .to learn skills such class schedules. as p1aying a steel drum or piano, photpgraphy, making mosaic art, Writing - Any young person in the Greater Cincinnati area may or writing. Any resident of Over-the-Rhine or the West End submit poems and/or articles via email at for publication in is welcome! All sessions are FREE, including instruction and Streetvibes. Content should be related to homelessness, social materials. ·No previous artistic or poverty-related issues. justice, experience necessary. Contact Brenda Z. at 62 1-5514, or for Call For New Arts Advisory more information. Committee Members! - The OTR Steel Drum Band -Learn Arts Advisory Committee is looking for i:epresentatives from how to play the steel drums in an introductory series for adults. the neighborhood and the arts Parents may bring their children and business community. This (age 9 and up) to learn tog~ther committee helps to formulate the direction and development of if they like. Participant~ will Peaslee's arts programs. learn steel drum technique, rhythms, and how to read music. Community Mosaic Art Project - Community members are coming togetheF to make mosaic art for the Over-the­ Rhine neighborhood. The organizers are looking for id~as ·for the next project. Forward your ideas to Brenda Z. Photography - Teenager~ and young adults are invited to learn Looking For New Staff Peaslee is also looking for new music instructo rs, for the piano and the mallets program. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in teaching music in a fun and rewarding setting. Anyone interested in any of these opportunities, contact Brenda Z. at Peaslee, 215 East 14th Street, Over-the-Rhine, 621-55 14. . WHAT A80UT RETIRtMENT 8ENEATS? We ha~e grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. Ours is a·world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing that we know about living. General Omar Bradley Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression ofthe views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �STREETVIBES October 2002 Roll Tape , Art & Poetry Page 14 by Steven Lansky In I I Im I iced coffee with cream more bitter a husk over the bean compared to fainter, weaker flavor of decaf :she sang under piano keys under her Icurled brown fingers pounding rhythmic I images releasing songs songs songs until : this quality product will complete your karina if you pay price. pay price for complete karma. gray price for cop karma. do not throw tomatoes I in Sitwell's drinking while NPR news echoes like dream of day past all news is war. opinion of war music over conversation. voices conglomerate faster paced than Gertrude Stein's voice on recording. gratefully, my laundry I Ipsychology of chirping children, stress I of segregatory pain pulled her out of Iher den to schools first to sing I Imothers tinkling guitars. the 60s rang Ifolk freedom when we stopped arnerika· at women when they run in the rain from the fear. pay instead. pay price for pizza and beer karma. pizza, pasta, burrito, music faint music fans swim on ceiling, tin ceiling, no smoke, radio press on nails not welcome here, press on nails, nail down press, Dow nailed down lower by pollution press :war children quietly echoing freedom product not worth quality rain swill Mill Creek I running down the street to escape from fear rattle rattle rattle fear freaks, future freaks, future fears tumbles in the Kenmore dryer at home. my home is rented and cluttered. at a marble table, tapping out gray letters : light shone by radical teens painted like Inatives, shouting in Chicago streets flinging I tear gas back to the police, remember to the clutter bothers no one the neighbor's cat never comes inside. my roommate avoids me. indifferent to everyone ·but I Iwear a glove on your throwing hand. Ishe got involved in the community, teacher Itailor, committee member, worker, human I religious wars, real war, not blue TV type fear wars. type gray black letters on live live live type click rattle phone, fear, phone for few rattles for ever heist the meek who inherit with me daily the rattle of sabers. religious wars define eons, echoes of dream pleasantry, images_gray : relations introduced blacks and women to civil service tests now it's n~t so integrated 1 lat this hour in Sitwell's but there are minority of future by rich suits in dark gray letters rattle black black black. is there a formula for song save karma yoga, the world prays for peace while I Iindividuals on police force. still simply not Isolved. not satisfied. Mother gave up classical Imusic, piano for children for children for children I Ipoem rattles sabers of argument. where are need for reading glasses. Mother goes blind reading but enjoys a postcard more I the children as the poem rattles, voices harp breath grows strong and dark cQffee husks music night comes in long strides, walks away leaving banks undamaged, underscored tight gray words. letters walking into boxes, falling open before bright brown eyes, lips moist a crumb clings, pursed cracker, no bank robberies, shopliftingly? down in the growth -of poetry we find music celebrated instead. war rings : in cells, cells of pirates, pirate radio weak or strong? than before she died of cancer. enjoys : happy despite NPR gray rattle.rattle of war? in memory, in dream, in open discussion of politics, religious wars, black black blacknotes on paper, is music words? \Down. Down. Dow down. the suits are taking : technology subverted to serve the meek walking Iit on the face. business has methods for deleting I up the hill to the iiistitution barely breathing bad beer into the eyes. waking dead Mother. unroll film. gray gray music as the futures darken darkness. ••••• •• • • • • ••• • •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • •••••••••• ••••• •• • ••• • ••••••••• ••••••••••• Attitude One Day at a Time from Kristian Eide There are two days in every week about which we should not worry; two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is mpre important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than appearance, giftedness. or skill. It will make or break a company, a team, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one thin g we have, and that is our... Attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our attitudes. One of these days is Yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever·beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed, we cannot erase a single word said ... Yesterday is Gone! The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow, with its possible blunders, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds ... but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is· yet unborn. This leaves only one day...Today! Any man can fight the battle of just one day. It is only when you and I have the burdens in those two awful eternity's - Yesterday and Tomorrow - that we break down. My Inspiration It is not the experience of Today that drives men mad,..it is the remorses or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring. The things of which I write about, are the things within my life. From the joyfulness that inakes me want to shout, to the pain that cuts like a knife. From the love that is void and unrequited, to the love both sure and true. From being overwhelmingly excited, to the morbidity of feeling blue. Things such as the way things used to be, and things that have touched my soul. These are the things that are dear tome, in this way, my story is told. This is the way that I feel a part, as I write without reservation. I write down what is inside of my heart, for this is my inspiration. Let us therefore live but ONE DAY at a time: Homeless Plight David Allen Nelson The lost faces known only as the bastards of the system pose the inseparable question as they defy the odds against the troublesome quarrels day in, day out they face the invisible bars of their external prison where only some belong as innocents tread wearily on their guilt. by Jeff Branham �STREETVIBES October 2002 History of the World by Mike Henson Sacrifice and betrayal: it1s the whole story. The red flags go out The palm branches are thrown down. Hope lifts The hea1t swells Brother looks at brother Sister looks at sister With a clear, unfettered eye. Out of the mangers of the earth spill wheat and martyrs. Then the legionnaires step up. The tanks roll. Dollars go on the march. The great red eye of television fills up with victims. Final Destiny by Fred White Could it be that we are all locked In a huge cage that has no gate Destined to rise and fall ­ In life, as determined by fate? Is there no real meaning? No real hope in this life we live? l s there anyone wise enough? To answer the equation I give? A rich man here, a poor man there; Social Injustice everywhere! Wars, Murders, and then there's dope. Is there anyone out there who can truly say there's hope? There are those who say ­ "Life is tough and then you die." As long as we live in this world We must all cry. We must wait 'til the day we die and our spirits float peacefully through space. There's nothing else to life, No new goals to chase! But when I look around At the majesty of the mountains ­ And the magnificence of the tallest trees I say to myself, "There's gotta be more to life than thoughts like these." Am I to think that all emotion And energy in a man Is for the living but a moment Then turns to tiny grains of sand? Well, I guess it's best left said We an must wait 'til we are dead Before we truly see - our final Destiny. Art& Poetry Page 15 Dreary Night Harlequin byjh by Elizabeth Brown She'll bus home alone, No children, no hubby. With mousy brown hair And a little too chubby. She dreams of that man, She may meet all by chance. And she goes home to leftovers And a dimestore romance. If they only knew, The deep passion inside, How she'd sing with abandon Her glorious sighs. That behind her pale lips There dwells a soft pout, A silk and lace woman, She craves to let out. Oh, how she longs to Have someone to love her. But they are all blind And judge books By their covers. Next Time you see her, Specks perched on her nose, Remember the seed That produces the rose. And take time to notice, Cause some lucky stiff, Will remember plain boxes Hide fabulous gifts. Sands of Time by Jeff Branham Remember how so all alone, we always used to feel. With the lights all on, but no one at home, when the torment was much too real, We always said that we didn't care, that we were slowly dying. But when the pain was just too much to bear, we realized that we were lying. We took ourselves to the ultimate low, where we can stay no longer. And after the emotional flood had its flow, we knew that we must get stronger. But now a brand new happiness, can be both yours and mine. And all the things we can afford to miss, will be lost in the sands of time. This poem was published originally in the April, 2001 edition of Calgary Street Talk. Shutter Speed Musicians at Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine The dreary night marks the haunted time for some, the time for creeping. The time is also for the toothy wolves, scratching, wild-eyed into the honey blackness. Propelled by desparation and fear, they hurtle themselves upon the pavement, looking for a neck. Racked by the beat of the throbbing trunk, the cursing and whirling rise up from the stained, concrete turf, creating the music of the night; horn, shot, scream, screech, siren, slam, voice. Don't die here, because the earth moves cautiously through the night. And the bones dry slowly in the heat of day. And many more will take the post. Don't live here, because it is death by fear of the tedious evening rabble, and rotting soul, and broken spirit.. .. Yet, sorrow brings us together, under the dreary night. by Jimmy Heath �STREETVIBES October 2002 News & Editorial The Troubling New Face of America by Jimmy Carter "Belligerent and divisive voices now seem to be dominant" Fundamental changes are taking place in the historical policies of the United States with regard to human rights, our role in the community of nations and the Middle East peace process ­ largely without definitive debates (except, at times, within the administration). Some new approaches have understandably evolved from quick and well­ advised reactions by President Bush to the tragedy of Sept. 11, but others seem to be developing from a core group of conservatives who are trying to realize long-pent-up ambitions under the cover of the proclaimed war against terrorism. Formerly admired almost universally as the preeminent champion of human rights, our country has become the foremost target of respected international organizations concerned about these basic principles of democratic life. We have ignored or condoned abuses in nations that support our anti-terrorism effort, while detaining American citizens as "enemy combatants," incarcerating them secretly and indefinitely without their being charged with any crime or having the right to legal counsel. This policy has been condemned by the federal courts, but the Justice Department seems adamant, and the issue is still in doubt. Several hundred captured Taliban soldiers remain imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay under the same circumstances, with the defense secretary declaring that they would not be released even if they were someday tried and found to be innocent. These actions are similar to those of abusive regimes that historically have been condemned by American presidents. While the president has reserved judgment, the American people are inundated almost daily with claims from the vice president and other top officials that we face a devastating threat from Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and with pledges to remove Saddam Hussein from office, with or without support from any allies. As has been emphasized vigorously by foreign allies and by responsible leaders of former administrations and incumbent officeholders, there is no current danger to the United States from Baghdad. In the face of intense monitoring and overwhelming American military superiority, any belligerent move by Hussein against a neighbor, even the smallest nuclear test (necessary before weapons construction), a tangible threat to use a weapon of mass destruction, or sharing this technology with terrorist organizations would be suicidal. But it is quite possible that such weapons would be used against Israel or our forces in response to an American attack. We cannot ignore the development of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, but a unilateral war with Iraq is not the answer. There is an urgent need for U.N. action to force unrestricted inspections in Iraq. But perhaps deliberately so, this has become less likely as we alienate our necessary allies. Apparently disagreeing with the president and secretary of state, in fact, the vice president has now discounted this goal as a desirable option. We have thrown down counterproductive gauntlets to the rest of the world, disavowing U.S. commitments to laboriously negotiated international accords. Peremptory rejections of nuclear arms agreements, the biological weapons convention, environmental protection, anti­ torture proposals, and punishment of war criminals have sometimes been combined with economic threats against those who might dis-agree with us. These urlilateral acts and assertions increasingly isolate the United States from the very nations needed to join in combating terrorism. Tragically, our government is abandoning any sponsorship of substantive negotiations between Page 16 Palestinians and Israelis. Our apparent policy is to support almost every Israeli action in the occupied territories and to condemn and isolate the Palestinians as blanket targets of our war on terrorism, while Israeli settlements expand and Palestinian enclaves shrink. , There still seems to be a struggle within the administration over defining a comprehensible Middle East policy. The president's clear commitments to honor key U.N. resolutions and to support the establishment of a Palestinian state have been substantially negated by statements of the defense secretary that in his lifetime "there will be some sort of an entity that will be established" and his reference to the "so-called occupation." This indicates a radical departure from policies of every administration since 1967, always based on the withdrawal of Israel from occupied territories and a genuine peace between Israelis and their neighbors. Belligerent and divisive voices now seem to be dominant in Washington, but th~y do not yet reflect final decisions of the president, Congress or the courts. It is crucial that the historical and well-founded American commitments prevail: to peace, justice, human rights, the environment and international cooperation. Former president Carter is chairman ofthe Carter Center in Atlanta. PEACE.... ..... •..... • ~ --~· ·'~~~~ .'t~~ .:'"'..· •) ., .. ...·~·•. . .. ~, . Peace is not the product of a victory or a command. It has no finishing line, no final deadline, no fixed definition of achievement. Peace is a never-ending process, the work ofmany decisions. Oscar Arias ' . ... ,... :.\;;·.»: . #... •• x -~ ' ~"... .• . ·~.&·1!r••• • ,~~~· . ""t . ..• ;-:,•j.·~,.J.'.•1~··.• • '""· ~·>-,.· ·i·:·· • ·,~i:·:'t'; ...' ....... ....:... ... . :~. "'' . ....... '• .. Jc;... •• • l~~'tt:;:> •,,. ·1~'· :Ll~· ..• , , •·· -. >•. ... ... ... •• "I'm lookingfor a entry-level CEO position." The point of nonviolence is to build a floor, a strong new floor, beneath which we can no longer sink. A platform which stands a few feet above napalm, torture, exploitation, poison gas, A and H bombs, the works. Give man a decent place to stand. Joan Baez �STREETVIBES October 2002 News & Editorial Page 17 Portrait of the Single Issue Activist Refuse and Resist! It's all one attack. As Rev. Mccrackin used to say Justice will come when those who are not hurt are just as indignant as those who are hurt. All true revolutionaries are against all forms of oppression, all forms of racism, all forms of prejudice. Where are our principles? Do we stand for Principles? Are we only against oppression of "my people"? So should only "my people" fight for "my peoples" rights? Who are "my people"? Am I one of your people? - I am white. Are you one of "my people"? There is one race and that is human. These divisions based on Nationality or skin color are not reality. They are artificial, man-made bull-#$@ %. A true revolutionary Che Guevara was born in Bolivia - did he f!ght only on behalf of Bolivians. Of course not cuz he wasn't fighting for a race. He was fighting for principles. Freedom and Justice! Is there anyone of us who can claim a total purity of racial prejudice? l hear people speaking of my people as if they were some sort of pure-bred human. What is your people? Is it people from class transcend divisions of race. Is it skin color alone that If as some claim that all West Africa? If the slave owner raped the slave then isn't the child white people are evil and all black makes a person "my people" ? half-slave owner and half slave. 50 people superior Africans, then how What creates or defines race? Is it simply the color of the outer layer % white and 50% black? do you explain the fighting on skin on a human? between the Tivs and the Hausa­ Therefore aren't the descendents Animals have different Fulani in Nigeria or the Hutu and of these children also descendents breeds, which have of slave owners. Then isn't it the Tutsi in Rwanda. All people really a matter of who you identify have problems. Besides if as some characteristics, temperaments, energy levels etc. Can this be said claim that Humans started in with and not the blood that runs of the different human races? Is Africa then, we are all Africans! ­ through your veins? there really more than one race? including white people! I am against slavery - all Are the differences more cultural slavery whether it's the Africans .Whether it's getting rid of than physical, mental, emotional, nuclear bombs, rights for homeless who were enslaving the Jews for and spiritual? If a white person is 400 years or whether it's the people, rights for prisoners, adopted into a black family and abolishing the death penalty or any Japanese enslaving the knows only black people all his or Mongolians. I will stand up for all thing that promotes peace and her life is that person one of "your those enslaved regardless of their justice, - I'm for it. Some people fight only for people". What differentiates the complexion. black race from the white race? things which affect them or "their I stand against oppression Are we against whether it's the rich Somailians people". I fight for the rights of all discrimination as a principle or people, animals, clean food, and exploiting the poor Somalians, are we against discrimination only the environment. whether it's the rich Indonesians The di visions of class often if it's against my pet "Issue"? Let exploiting the poor Indonesians or us come together as one united transcend the divisions of race. whether it's straight people force against those who would For instance; a rich white person oppressing gay people. I stand seek to dominated and against all forms of oppression. will eat and socialize with a rich discriminate. Let us join forces Injustice is injustice black person. But ask that same and fight for "each others" issues whether is happening to me or you rich white person to socialize a poor person whether they are white just as ferociously as if they were or anyone else in this world. This our own. division between "issues" must go. or black and you will get a What is the color of the negative response. The same can We must see this all as one issue. water we all drink? That is the be said for rich black people. It is That most "issues" boil down to Justice. You know fairness - like much more likely that a rich black color of the air we all breathe? What is the color of God? what we learned on the playground person will be having dinner or Peace -Out, Brotha' B. socializing with a rich white as kids. Some say Africans are superior. What is this but the same person than a poor person of either Refuseandresist@fuse.net, (513) 236-4180 bigotry as white supremacy? color. Thus often, divisions of VOTE NO on ISSUE 8 by Jeneene Brengelman, Co­ Chair. Citizens for Fair Elections You and I can make history. Our ancestors fought and died for Democracy. Democracy means every voter has a voice equal to every other voter's. Democracy does NOT mean the rich run everything. But, because campaigns are so expensive, politicians have to keep the fat cats happy in order to be elected. You and I can change that! Last year a small group of committed volunteers, outspent 7­ 1, passed Issue 6, Campaign Finance Reform for Cincinnati. The fat cats didn't even let us have one election under the reform. They paid a bunch of people to collect signatures to put a repeal of the most important part, partial public financing, on the ballot. On November 5, we can show them that they can pay for signatures, but they can't buy our votes! They want to kill our campaign finance reform, and will tell lies and half-truths to kill it. Who are they? They fight every school levy in Cincinnati, none in upscale suburbs. M<;>st of them don't even live in Cincinnati, but they think they should be able to write big checks and control things here. Last year they haQ. only 12 donors, and just one of them lived in Cincinnati. Those 12 donated $70,000. The most trusted and respected people in Cincinnati all say VOTE NO on ISSUE 8. Bobbie Sterne, Marian Spencer, Roxanne Qualls, John Gilligan, Tyrone K. Yates, Minette Cooper, David Crowley and many others are working against Issue 8. They have been on City Council, they know that big money buys influence. We the voters should own the influence. Public Financing will cost money. The average citizen will pay $2 to $3 per year. For the cost of a fancy cup of coffee, we will get elected officials who owe us, the voters. That's a small fraction of what we each pay for the new stadiums. Partial public financing will allow community leaders to run for council on a level playing field. City council was designed to be a group of citizen leaders, not a few politicians using it as a stepping-stone. Public financing is the heart of Campaign Finance Reform. Without it, there will be little change. They know how to get around contributions limits; they've done that before. Only public funding will give us politicians who truly represent the people. They say that the city can't afford to use tax money for political campaigns. This will cost less than 2/10 of one percent of the city budget. In the long run it will save money, because we will have councilmembers able to stand up against the fat cats and their pet projects that benefit only themselves. They say that any clown will be able to get public money. Not so. A candidate will have to agree to spend no more than three times the salary for the office, and have 150 contributors of at least $10, adding up to $5000 before be or she starts getting matching funds. That won't be easy, last time only 11 candidates had that many donors. They don't mention that their tiny band of donors are the largest influence-buyers in the city, who want to keep on buying influence. That's exactly what this is about. Either we the voters buy influence for 2 or 3 bucks each of our tax money, or wealthy business executives buy influence with huge checks. And if they buy it, their voice will be far Jouder than yours. Cast your vote for Democracy. VOTE NO on Issue 8! Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those ofthe Streetvibes staffor the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �STREETVIBES October 2002 Rulemaking to restrict Public Access by OMB Watcher Two recent polls present a mixed picture about public access to government information in the post-9/11 environment. When asked about whether specific information should be removed from the web, most people say no. But their views change dramatically if the government argues that the information could help terrorists. On One Hand One poll, conducted by the First Amendment Center and the American Journalism Review, found that 9/11 had very little impact on the public's view that they had too much or too little access to government records. In fact, 48% thought they had too little access in 2001 and felt the same way in the summer of 2002. Interestingly, many who were undecided in 2001 felt that there was just about the right amount of access in 2002, going from 30% in 2001 to 38% in 2002. Only 7% in 2001 thought there was too much access, and that number stayed virtually the same at 8% in 2002. Even when it comes to the war on terrorism, most people do not feel that they are getting too much information. About 40% of those polled felt they were getting too little information and 38% said it was just about the right amount. Only 16% felt there was too much information about the war on terrorism available. Yet when it comes to access to personal information, a clear majority, 60%, feel there is too much information being made available. Only 3% feel there is too little information, while 33% feel it is just about the right amount. The sense that there is too little access to government information was reinforced when they asked whether citizens should have access to a series of local information sources. But the strength of support weakened when the examples dealt with personal information about them. For example, well over 90% felt they should have access to records of health inspections conducted at local restaurants and even names of registered sex offenders. But only 73% agreed they should have access to employment records, including salary and benefits, of local school officials, and they are closely split between those who strongly agree and those who mildly agree. That same pattern exists when it comes to access to local real estate records, which includes the sale price, assessed value and taxes paid on residential homes, where 72% agreed. On the Other Hand The second poll, conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project at virtually the same time as the poll described above, finds a different trend when it comes to public access to "sensitive" information that might be used by terrorists. Nearly 7 of 10 people (69%) say that government should be given broad discretion to keep information out of the hands of terrorists, even if means limiting public access to the information. Roughly two-thirds of survey respondents feel government (67%) and businesses/ utilities (66%) should remove information from web sites that Page 18 "might potentially" help terr01ists, even if the public has a right to such information. Yet a plurality of respondents (47%) say that they do not believe that withholding or removing information from web sites will make a difference in deterring terrorist; 41 % believe it will make a difference; and 12% are uncertain. Like the First Amendment Center/AJR poll, this po11 finds broad support for access to specific information. For example, 80% believe that information about pollution caused by individual factories should be posted to the Internet. 76%, slightly lower than the above poll, believe names of convicted sex offenders who have finished their prison time should be posted on the Internet. And 57% believe that information should be posted to the Internet about how and when hazardous materials are transported through their communities. The poll found less than a majority support posting the information on the Internet when more specific details are revealed, such as lists of chemical plants and the chemicals they produce (43%). Although the numbers in this poll are far less supportive of posting personal information, the trend is the same as in the first poll - it is the least popular of items for public access. In this poll, only 27% support posting information about property tax records, such as what people paid for their houses. But all of this is turned on its head if the government says that the information could help terrorists. For example, 60% of those who believed the government should post information about chemical plants and the chemicals they produce agreed that the information should be removed from the Internet if the government said it could help terrorist. Similarly, more than half (54%) of those who supported posting information about pollution from factories and 58% of those who supported knowing about the transportation of hazardous chemicals through their communities felt the same way. Both Hands? The Pew Internet & American Life Project reinforces other findings that highlight the tension that exists since 9/11 between information as a breach of security and its use to promote community health and safety. When information is framed as promoting community safety - the chemical plant information can help reduce accidents and save lives - public access is strongly supported. When information is framed as aiding terrorists - that chemical plant information is a blueprint for terrorists - public access is not supported. That may be a lasting result of 9/11, the public can have two competing viewpoints at the same time. In some ways, the First Amendment Center/AJR poll raises this tension when it asked whether the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution goes too far in the rights it guarantees. There has been a large jump in those who strongly agree, going from 16% in 1999 to 41%in2002. Yet when asked about specific rights guaranteed under the First Amendment, those who believe the right is essential h as jumped in every case since 1997, and, in no case, is lower than two-thirds of the public. Light House Workers Win. Settlement On September 16, 24 workers on a long fight and returned to their jobs at the Light House plant in Thailand, a sub­ contractor of the U.S. luggage giant, Samsonite. Their reinstatement is part of a settlementreached on September 13, which provided assurances that the company will not " interfere with trade union activities." This settlement comes after months of struggle on the part of the Light House union beginning in October 2001 with the dismissal of 600 workers. Campaign for Labor Rights first alerted you to the situation in July, when workers presented a protest letter written in their own blood to the Thai parliament and a worldwide trade union campaign. Since July, you and others who receive our Labor Alerts wrote thousands of letters and emails to Samsonite (and also to Ricardo of Beverly Hills and Atlantic Luggage) in support of the Light House workers. Your support and action in this case have helped to win an important labor rights struggle, proving that U.S. corporations can not freely roam the world looking for the cheapest deal. TIME AS A WEAPON Our last Labor Alert on this campaign (September 9), stated that there were 73 Light House workers seeking reinstatement. Due to the length of this struggle, many of these workers were forced to look for other jobs. The agreement signed last Friday by Light House management would have allowed for the reinstatement of all 73 locked-out workers, but only 24 workers were actually still able to accept their hard-won return to the factory. As stated in a letter by Light House union leaders and supporters in Thailand, "Time is used as a weapon of management in most of the disputes, because employers know that workers will not be able to economically survive after a certain period. In all of the cases we've seen, the management always tries to drag out the dispute as long as possible, hoping that finally workers will give up their fight. But they were/ are wrong, even though, in most cases, there are some workers who drop out of the fight but many other courageous workers continue their struggle no matter how long it takes." �Page 19 STREETVIBES October 2002 Hunger News Updates From Agency Action: Food Stamp Program Trends Participation in the Food Stamp Program in June 2002 dipped by 7 ,067 persons from the previous month to 19,318,853, Food Research and Action Center according to FRAC's analysis of 1875 Conn. Ave. NW, Washington, preliminary data from USDA. DC 20009; 202-986-2200 Compared to June 200 l, www.frac.org. participation rose in 48 states and the District of Columbia, for a total national over-the-year gain of Congressional Spotlight: more than 1.8 million persons. For Nutrition Priorities Outlook details, check FRAC's web site FY 2003 funding for the (www.frac.org). WIC Program, The Emergency City Limits reports that Food Assistance Program New York State will implement (TEFAP), the Commodity new options available under the Supplemental Food Program Food Stamp Reauthorization law, (CSFP), and a one-year expansion including five-month transitional of a Summer Food Service food stamp benefits for those Program pilot are among items at leaving cash assistance, as well as issue in the FY 2003 Agriculture Appropriations Bills (S. 280 1, H.R. introduce a simpler program 5263). Both bills still require floor application next spring. While welcoming the state's actions, anti­ action. FY 2003 funding for tbe hunger advocates and New York Community Food and Nutrition City's Public Advocate Betsy Program (CFNP)wowd be$8 Gotbaum are calling on the city's million under the Labor-HHS­ Human Resources Agency (HRA) Education Appropriations bill to improve. Gotbaum released a pending in the Senate (S. 2766). report comparing the city's record The House has yet to move its on participation with other major companion bill through cities. " 'HRA is still riddled with a subcommittee or committee. culture that shows little Check the FRAC web site compassion for needy families (www.frac.org) for background seeking benefits,' charged Carlos and updates on developments. Rodriguez of the Community Food Meanwhile, low-income Resource Center." advocates and state stakeholders For details on new state are urging the Senate to take up the options available in the Food Senate Finance Committee's Stamp Program effective October TANF reauthorization bill. In 1, check the web sites of FRAC contrast to the House-based TANF (www.frac.org) and Center on bill (HR. 4737), the Senate Budget and Policy Priorities Finance Committee's Work ' Opportunity, and Responsibility for (www.cbpp.org). Among resources are FRAC's 11-page Kids ("WORK") Act of 2002 "Get Ready for Food Stamp permits states to use TANF, Reauthorization Changes in Your Medicaid and SCHIP funds to State" and CBPP's 86-page assist certain legal immigrant New Changes in "Implementing families; maintains the current the Food Stamp Program: A _ general requirement for 30 hours Provision by Provision Analysis of per week work participation by the Farm Bill." A special section most adwts; and omits any structural changes to the Food Stamp Program. A $5.6 trillion budget surplus already has been all but wiped out; m oney for the tax cuts is coming out of Social Security. The President should stop proposing new tax cuts; Congress should stop passing new tax cuts, and hold off the tax cuts scheduled for 2004 and beyond that mostly benefit the wealthiest one percent of taxpayers. Instead of tax cuts for a few, every one of us must think of the safety and well-being of all Americans and the future of our economy - keeping Social Security sound, putting in place prescription drug coverage for seniors, protecting children and families, and meeting our nation's education, environmental, security and other needs. FRAC of FRAC's web site links to USDA policy guidance on reauthorization implementation issues. To report on policy changes in your state and/or for technical assistance on food stamp reauthorization implementation issues, contact evollinger@frac.org. Web Watch: WIC Program CheckFRAC's web site (www.frac.org) for "WIC Partnerships and the Nurturing Parent," reporting on successful WIC parenting education collaborations, from a f arnil y literacy and nutrition education program at the Salinas (CA) WIC program, to peer counseling parents on feeding young children at the Lawrence (MA) WIC program. Other model programs reviewed are located in Missouri ' New Mexico, and Vermont. For more on WIC, from FRAC's web site link to those of the National WIC Association and USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The latter has posted "The Characteristics of Native American WIC Participants On and Off Reservations." FNS reports that in 1998, the WIC Program enrolled 121,000 Native American women, infants and children - representing 48 · percent of all Native American infants and children under age five and 65 percent of all Native American pregnant women. See also FRAC's publication, "WIC in Native American Communities: Building _a Healthier America." Live and let live! The following was written by an Iranian citizen who declined to be identified. The US seems to have decided to attack to Iraq as part of a "regime changing" project in Iraq. There are two questions here. 1. Is the US authorized to do it? 2. What is the feeling of the Iraqi people? Do they want a freedom whose price is being bombarded? Here are my answers to these two questions: 1. The US is absolutely not authorized to change regime in any country for any reason. Rather, the United Nations i s authorized and is responsible for this kind of political event. The United Nations can conduct a peaceful referendum inJ raq and help the Iraqi people to decide about their future. To say how, I suggest sending an international police force to Iraq, which is supported and made of many countries' military soldiers, not just those of the US or UK. This We'd like to hear from .... send lette~ or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.co.... ­ or write the Coalition office attn: StreeMbes Letters, 1506 Elm s-.:eet Cincinnati, Ohio 4520 2 While we make every effort to provide a forum for those without a voice, STREETVIBES and the staff of THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, is not responsible for statements, and do not necessarily endorse the opinions of the people whose writings are represented here. Vendor: 80 cents Where Your Dollar Goes Printing and Production: 20 cents The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost s o that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more informa­ tion about the program. Many thanks for your support. �Need Help or Want to Help? If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381 -1 954 OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 SHELTER: BQth Anthony House (Youth) 357-4602 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 926-2064 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 861 -1111 St. John's Housing 651-6446 HOUSING: 721-4580 CMHA Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTA Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 639-7056 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 ~HELTERS:Womenand _ hildren YWCA Battered Women's Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome House 859-431-8717 Women's Crisis Center 859-491-3335 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241 -5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional Nving facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Greater Ctncinnoti Coalition For The Homeless • TREATMENT: Both 820-2947 N.A. Hopeline A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6660 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc. 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-3619 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect ­ Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 .. TREATMENT: Men Charlie's 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 751-3260 . -­ � 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 2002 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 2002 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Downtown Protest Urges TANF Re-authorization Pg 2: Octoberfest Draws Record Crowds, and Protesters too Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: On the Road Pg 5: Universal Living Wage Campaign News Pg 6: Sierra Club Environmental Justice Meeting Pg 7: The Homeless Ethicist Pg 8: In the “Git-Along Gang:” My Life as a Safety Ambassador Pg 9: ¡Bienvenidos! Pg 10: The Peace Village Lives on 9/11 Pg 11: Washington Park Pg 12: Ban the Beggars! Pg 13: Sub-Prime Lenders Target Minority Neighborhoods Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Pg 16: News & Editorial Pg 17: Portrait of the Single Issue Activist Vote No on Issue 8 Pg 18: Rulemaking to Restrict Public Access Light House Workers Win Settlement Pg 19: Hunger News Updates from FRAC 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 2002 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Brendan Goodwin Mary Taylor John Halpin Cheryl Ware Andy Erickson Jimmy Heath Brian Garry Brendan Goodwin Mike Henson Jacquelyne M. Jordan Steven Lansky Robert Mannassa Dr. Steve Sunderland Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Activists Andy Erickson Arts & Poetry Bienvenidos Brendan Goodwin Brian Garry campaign Cheryl Ware Dr. Steve Sunderland FRAC GCCH Georgine Getty Issue 8 Jacquelyne M. Jordan Jimmy Heath John Halpin Mary Taylor Mike Henson Minorities News & Editorials Octoberfest protest Robert Mannassa Sierra Club Steven Lansky Street Life Wages Washington Park https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/9dfda125a4c1255d02f1c0b9f5bdf8b5.pdf b6689f1223e354af21f30e96b7246c85 PDF Text Text t ST REET IBES Your Progressive News Source SEPTEMBER 2002 BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY 1 Broken Homes · Cover Story Page 1 Also Inside This Month ~~- Interview with ·~• Valerie Lemmie, Cincinnati City Manager Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless J . ,• 3 ~ �~ c -o-ver-S~ w= ry==============~£PT£.MBER 2002-=======-------------­ Hundreds of Huntington Meadows Residents Face Eviction by Brian Garry photos by Jimmy Heath - As I grew up in Bond Hill and I went to Swifton Primary School, which was surrounded by Swifton Village, now Huntington Meadows, I had no idea who owned all those red-brick apartment buildings. I was surprised later, when my brother informed me that it was Donald Trump who owned Huntington Meadows. DonaJd put new doors and shutters on , and sold those red brick apartments for 15 million dolJars in 1974. This was his first business transaction and he made a profit of 10 million before going on to be one of the world 's super powers. Huntington Meadows, the largest housing complex in Cincinnati, was built 1952 and has 1, 165 uni ts of rent-controlled housing on 65 acres. It is prime real estate and so there is much at stake in this new controversy. In 1997, the P.M. Group became the behind-the-scenes owner of the complex. To protect themselves lega11y, the PM Group formed a limited paitnership and named it Huntington Meadows LTD, which now officia1ly owns the property. In December of 2001 the Huntington Meadows LTD mass­ evicted 345 families. The families fought the evictions but only 150 tenants had the evictions over­ turned and were aJlowed to stay. The other 235 were literally, left out in the cold. Later that year, Huntin.g ton Meadows LTD claimed that since they didn't have enough renters and they had to file bankruptcy. They went belly up. The mortgager, Fannie Mae, recommended that Habitat America become the ·new, court­ appointed receiver/manager. The "turn-around" company, Habitat America, came in and " restructured the rent". Habitat America illegally raised the late fee from $25 to $125. The tenants had signed leases, which stated that their fee for a late payment of rent is only $25. This illegal practice led to more evictions. In January, the new managers and Habitat Ame1ica owners created a panic~h ysteria G with rumors, calling Huntington Meadows an environmental disaster area. They went out and bought "Danger Asbestos" Signs and put them up everywhere. Neither the Cincinnati Health Department nor the EPA recommended this action. The asbestos were present since the structures were built. Putting up the "Danger" signs caused another wave of residents to vacate the premises. $400-$600 dollars. Huntington Meadows' problems amount to leaky pipes and asbestos. Asbestos can be wrapped or removed. Leaky pipes can be fi xed. According to Dr. Handy, Assistant Director of the Cincinnati Health Department, virtually every home in Cincinnati has asbestos in them. Many homes have a few leaky pipes. These problems are fixable. Council just approved an additional $77.50 per unit of assistance. Wow, $77.50. The people are being offered $500 by Fannie Mae, the mortgager, only if they sign away all of their legal rights of c1aims against the owner and banker. Fannie Mae is the largest source of mortgages/ financing in the country. The $500 is an Anita Ivery posted this sign on her Huntington Meadows enticement apartment window. "Worse comes to worse, I'll stay with or my mother. " entrapment In July of 2002, the if you will, to get them to sign complex sits ha1f-fu11 with only their rights away. Does this sound about 600 of the 1,200 units Like Coercion? Bribery? occupied. After kicking al1 these Extortion? Blackmail? The folks out the owner cries that he residents only get the money after has no money because there are they move out and, as such, they not enough apartments occupied can't use the money for rent, and paying rent. He c1aims he is deposit or moving costs. Legal loosing $150,000. If he hadn't Aid negotiated this agreement kicked everyone out he would have without the residents present. an income of over $500,000 per Additionally, since the agreement month. I smell a rat. Although the was not a class-action as the legal­ complex is considered, by some to aid lawyer portrayed it to be, it is be low-income, only about 150 of not binding on the rest of the 640 the residents are subsidized by families. Further, the five fami lies section 8. that the Legal Aid lawyer Most pay basic market represented, never signed papers rates. Most rents range between retaining any lawyer as their H0 MEL£5S HEL representative in this process. The tenants never even saw the agreement until four days after "their lawyer" had signed. The tenants never signed the agreement. Tbe residents were tricked and bum-rushed into signin g this agreement. They were given a deadline to sign three business days following the court order. At a pubUc meeting on July 3 1st, Legal Aid failed to mention that if they paid their August rent then they would have until September 3rd to sign. This would have given more time to decide and allow for time fo~ a legal appeal process. The residents are being pushed around, hoodwinked and bamboozled. C incinnati Mayor Charlie Luken has never visited this site where 3,000 of his constituents are being forced out. If they were white and rich he would have shown up the next day. The owner was given, yes given, $30,000,000. This covered the cost to purchase the property, $ 10,867,000, plus an extra 20 million for repairs, although not many repairs seem to have been made. Huntington Meadows LTD received 9 million dollai·s in tax credits from Ohio investors through Fannie Mae. Fannie Mae is the largest source of mortgage funding in the country. The owners also received 4 million from the Home Investment Partnership Act (the HOME Program). This is federal money dispersed by the Cincinnati City Council. In addition, the P.M. Group received 17.5 million dollars from the county, which issued bonds to cover the cost. Clayton Group, a company, Eviction.... cont. on page 3 Write Us! W•'W lllul lo bur f10m flOU.-­ ~J..--· --"' Send letters or comments to: . Streetvibes@Juno.com, t. or wrHe the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 H L �STREETVIBES September 2002 Page 2 . The Vine Street Festival... Oops! · Some of the busjnesses on Vine Street felt excluded from the Photos and Opinion by Jimmy Heath, Streetvibes Editor planning and implementation of the Festival. Some even felt ·disrespected. . "It was a failure, it was too hot, it was held in the wrong place," said Han·y Ashford, owner of Smitty's clothing store on Vine Street. "There didn't seem to be much media attention to it either. And we need the suburban people coming down here and taking a stake in Over-the-Rhine - we need them to spend money." Ashford donated money to the Viny Street Festival to help finance the event. "I don ' t mind it at all when the City tries to do something for the community," said Edward Williams, who rnns The Next Looking north on Vine near 13th Street during the Vine Street Festival Millennium, a music and audio in Over-the-Rhine store near 13th and Vine. "But this It can be an embarrassing neighbors didn't bother to walk a thing [the festival] is killing my thing, when no one shows up to block or two from their homes on business." During the Vine Street your party. Maybe it was bad neighboring Festival, police weather, or miscommunication or streets to see­ asked Williams even bad luck, but it would be hard what was going to turn down to explain what happened in early on over on Vine . the music that August on Vine Street in Over-the­ Street. An was coming Rhine, when the party was held infolmal survey from his and people stayed away in droves. of my neighbors storefront I received plenty of notice about on Republic bu siness. the Vine Street Festival - I got Street revealed Williams three postcards in the mail, and I'm that most always plays his sure m_y neighbors did too. The simply didn 't music to the ---.....--..-;, .,.. ___....,. entertainment showed up and the care. Everytme street whicli is requisite City Hall dignitaries came knew about the designed to by for an appearance. But Over­ Vine Street bring in the-Rhine residents were Festival, but no customers. His shockingly absent: Only a few of one really front door on the curious came by and the rest cared. What Vine Street is were on their way to somewhere was the point? always open. else. Thanks to the street closing, Wbo or what Over-the­ Vine Street business owner Edward it was interesting to stand in the was this for? Rhine continues Williarps middle of an empty Vine Stryet, The Festival to struggle for during what would normally be a had a serious an identity. traffic jam. At lPM, on a S unday identity crisis. To add to the Mayor Charlie Luken and City afternoon, it was like a ghost town confusion, on the previous day the Council have focused energy on except for a few booth vendors and Over-the-Rhine Community O ver-the-Rhine to develop their a lot of police. Festival was held in Washington personal vision of what the I'm not sure why my Park with record attendance. --­ --­ Streetvibes Vendor Code Each vendor has to sign the foil owing code to be able to sell the paper. 1. Streetvibes will be distributed for a $1 voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for donations of Huntingt0n Meadows on Langdon Farm Road, Bond ,Hill StreetVibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, photos .... We will give prefer­ ence to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be pmchased for $15 per year. c/o Greater C incinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCfl) 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421 -7803 fax (5 l3) 421-78 13; e--mail: streetvibes@j uno.com web page: htt p ://cinci.com/gcth 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. will be honest in stating that all the profits from the sale of Streetvibes will go to the individual vendor. Falsely stating intent or otherwise more than $1. I also understand that I will be able to keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. misrepresenting may be cause. (or an-est. Future issues of Streetvibes will be purchased 8. I will always present my badge when purchasing papers, and I will display my badge at all times from the Homeless Coalition for 20 cents. while vend ing. Replacement badges are $5 Streetvibes may only be purchased from the GCCH. Purchasing or selling unauthorized each. 9. There are no territoiies . I agree that I will not papers, or from other vendors, will result in termination from the program. contest territories with other distributors. I will not sell on private property without permission. I agree that I will not ask for donations or attempt to vend after 12 midnight. 10. I understand that Streetvibes strives to be a selfI agree to treat others with respect - other ven­ supporting paper created by people who are homeless or formerly homeless. To help in this dors, customers, and GCCH personnel. I will not sell Streetvibes while under the influ­ effort, I will try to spread the word and write ence. stories if possible. I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel 11. I understand that failure to comply with any of threatened. the above statements will result in termination I agree not to deceive the public by-saying that I from the Street.vibes vendor program. GCCH am collecting for a not-for-profit charity or that I reserves the right to terminate a vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. am collecting for the "ho meless" in general. I �STREETVIBES September community should be. For the powers-that-be, poor people are the problem in Over-the-Rhine, and middle-class jnfusion is all that is right. The Vine Street Festival [not to be confused with the annual Over-the­ Rhine Commumty Festival, see page l 1] featured the planting of trees and flowers along one block of Vine Street near Central Parkway, and the dignitaries digging in the sojl provided a nice visual for the media. But the citizens were missing from the picture. And never mind that the Over-the-Rhine Community Council has been planting trees along neighborhood streets for nearly thirty years. It is not the first time that OTR resident concerns and voices have been silenced or ignored by City Hall. There is a long history of a struggle for citizens to be heard. The debate over changing Vine Street to one-way, for example, became a battle between the low-income residents and gentrification. In spite of resident and Community Council concerns over safety, and advice against the one-way plan by the city's own traffic department, Vine Street was converted to one-way. The money won. But one-way Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine continues to be a traffic jam and safety hazard. The suburban, outer-city folks who know nothing about Over-the-Rhine, except what the media tells them, are victims in this too because they are being mislead. The "sound bites" and video clips of these types of events never tell the whole story. The attention on Vine Street may make it appear that City Hall is "doing something" about Over-the-Rhine. I think the general public is beginning to get tired of all of this and is starting to recognize the pattern. There is no real news in small-town Cincinnati. There are not enough bad guys to feed the insatiable media appetite. Sometimes poor people become victims, not of crime, but of blame. There are over seven thousand citizens living in Over­ the-Rhine, nearly three thousapd of them are children. A great many are sem01· citizens, retired people and disabled persons. Residents hear what the politicians say about their neighborhood; they know what is going on with the tree planting, the flower boxes and the gentrification. This is why the community stayed away from the Vine Street Festival. Over-the­ Rhine is the target of a gold rush, and poor citizens better stay out of the way. 2~02 Eviction.... Page 3 poor tenants. It is felt that the owner as well as the City wants poor and black people out of the inner-city. In addition, the City wants white and upper income people to move back into the inner-city. This is demonstrated, some say, by the impaction ordinance which claims that all city neighborhoods, including Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout are "impacted' with poor people. Thus the ordinance prohibits the building of low income projects with Government Funding within the city limits. In either scenario the case is clear. The residents are not being evicted because of mold, sewage, etc. The residents are the property must be used for low and moderate income only. The cont. from page 1 county, although giving 17.5 who has passed $500 billion in million to the project, was not part reviewed assets, was the onl y bid of the court proceedings, which that Habitat America solicited to resulted in the residents being forced out, and required to sign assess the envfronmental problems. The Clayton Group away their legal rights in order to receive the measly $500 in claimed a of cost 10.5 million to fix the problems at Huntington relocation fees. The City, which Meadows. gave only 3.5 million, was a part of Many feel this estimate is the legal proceedings and a signer inflated, that the owner can claim to the agreement. Dowlin claims the cost of repairs is overwhelming that there is no county money in Huntington Meadows out the and that the complex must be torn down. The owner paid for the county issued bonds and used that environmental study, thus a money to give to Huntington conflict of interest is a real Meadows LTD. Now to the future. The big possibility. The Clayton Group is one of Fannie Mae's number one question. Fannie Mae, Huntington Meadows LTD and customers. Regarding Habitat America all the 4 million seem to want the complex closed; that dollars of HOME Program money we know. What we given to don't know, and no Huntington one is talking about Meadows under are the future plans the Roxanne for the complex. Qualls Obviously if these administration, a parties have given the Cincinnati project enough thought to close the Community Development complex down, then employee had the . have given thought as ~ . One ofthe abestos wammg signs posted at Huntington Meadows lO11.o wmg to say: · to what they are going ''The money was allotted very being evicted because the owner to do with it next. However, I differently. The orders came down went bankrupt and didn't take care believe that that has been the root from the governor's office. We did of the property. As you can see in of this whole conspiracy. The not use the same policy and did not the health dept. report or by talking future of the land and buildings go through all the usual steps and to Dr. Handy, no one is being was foremost in the bankers, procedures as we normally would. forced to move because of mold, managers and owners minds long It was a closed-door situation with etc. Local television and ago, possibly at the time of the director. We didn' t know newspapers report that the purchase, when they thought up why." complex is being shut down due to this whole sordid plan to steal the Employees at Huntington environmental hazards, but this land and give it to the upper conflicts with the Health Meadows do feel that there is an middle-class. The whole Department report. The Clayton environmental disaster at hand in environmental disaster illusion, the the complex. They point to the Group environmental report stated neglect of the buildings, the court fact that 20,000 gallons of raw that they found "O" friabl e (air­ deals, the bankmptcy, was all just a sewage has been pumped out the borne) asbestos. The Health precursor, a set-up for the evil plan crawl space under just one of the Department did not recommend to hijack the land out from under buildings. They say that there are the evacuation of a single unit. the innocent unsuspecting 5 kinds of mold in the walls and all Now the question becomes residents. Now they are holding the doors are constructed with why did the owners file bankruptcy residents' future hostage: Again, when they received the amount to asbestos. They also feel that the there is a plot to "redevelop" the City Health Department did not buy the property outright and still land, but they are using the rule that any apartment be have $20,000 left for maintenance. "environmental concerns" and evacuated because if the city Where did the $30 million go? "bankruptcy" as excuses for deemed the buildings to be a Why was there a seeming getting rid of the people and health hazard, then the c ity would systematic drive to get rid of families. Remember, "Redevelop" have to pay relocation costs. Some tenants and not to re-rent the is a code word that rich people use apartments during the past year? local activists feel that the owner for getting rid of poor and black Local media claims there was must have paid off environmental people. costly renovation. What did they inspectors because of the intense For more information or to scrutiny that buildings should have renovate and how much did it express your concerns call the been under during financing of the cost? What financial following: City Council - 352­ project. These problems should problemswere there? We have a 3000, County Commissioners ­ right to know. have been foreseen, some say. 946-4400, the Attorney General ­ Hamilton County They have also heard that a deal is 852-3497, Gov. Taft- 614-466­ Commissioner Todd Portune feels cunently underway with a new 3555, State Rep. Britton - 271 ­ that the county should have been purchaser of the property, at a low 1764, Congressman Steve Chabot involved in the court proceedings. cost. - 684-2723. email: He also feels that there needs to be refuseandresist@fuse.net or call Others feel that there is no real envfronmental disaster, that 236-4180 for more information. an audit into the financial re.cords of this Huntington Meadows LTD. these allegations are just a ploy to get rid of what some see as just Mr. Portune says that, under law, �STREETVIBES September 2002 The Triumphs of a Blind Individual by Fred White didn' t like living in a blind group home. For one thing, it wasn' t my home. I had people over me, telling me what I could and could not do. Don' t get me wrong, Samuel Bell was a very clean, warm, and secure place. And for some blind people, the home worked well. But I was still very active, and I love girls, so it was not the place for me. Eventually, I met my girlfriend. We liked each other so much that we decided to live together. But as time went on, and months turned into years, our relationship began to deteriorate. One day my girlfriend and I got into a big fight. The police were called, and it was determined that l would h ave to leave. The Page 4 Well, somebody came along and we sat and talked. I shared my dilemma with my newfound friend. They suggested I try and find help in Cjncinnati. It sounded like a good idea to me, and I was off. I became. a resident of the Drop Inn Center. The staff at the Drop Inn took me in with open arms. They were very helpful in showing me where my sleeping area was, where the bathrooms were, where the dining area was, and where I could store my things. Before long, seeing as how m~ blind skills were great, I knew my way around the place like I had been living there for years. AJso, the residents, some of whom became my good friends, told me about places that I could get food. I ate lunch at Daily Bread I haven't always been blind, and never dreamed that one day I would be homeless. When I was sixteen, I picked ap a pair of boxing gloves. I graduated from high school and traveled all over the United States, and half way around the world, throwin ' my dukes. I did this for about twenty years. My career was cut short when I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Sarcoidosis. It was a disease which affected my lungs, and later was associated with my blindness. One day I was sitting in my living room, watching television, and I noticed that I had a little dot in my' center of vi sion. L ater, this worsened. I went to the doctor and he diagnosed me with an eye disease called Uvitus. It's an inflammatory disorder that destroyed the parts of my eyes that allowed me to see. The loss of my vision was gradual, bot I was told by my doctors that I would eventually be almost totally blind. Today, the only sight Fred White lost his sight at a young age through eye disease that I have is light perception. This means that and dinner at City Gospel Mission. next day, I received papers from in the bright daylight I may see They also told me about a place the county sheriff that notified me fleeting shadows- and that 's it. where I could take a bath and wash there was a restraining order So being a boxer, having a strong­ my clothes (Mary M agdalen's). I against me. I could no longer go willed and bullheaded personality, was able to receive a haircut and a back to my residence at that time. adjusting to blindness was shave through services of St. Being on a fixed income especially diffi cult. I entered a John 's Catholic Church. I was (social security disability) and it blind trai ning school in Ruston, very thankful for all of these being only the first of the month, Louisiana, to learn skills that this placed me in a pickle. Lo and services given to me. I was never would allow me to live _behold, I was a blind, homeless dirty, never hungry, and able to independently. O nce I had maintain my self respect and man. At first I panicked. £said to completed my training I moved to God, "Oh Lord what am I going to dignity. Golf Port, Mississippi, where I got A few years back, before do?" a job working in a place called this whole restraining order At the time, I was living in Royal Maid Association for the incident took place, as I said · Hamilton, Ohio. Someone Blind. My j ob consisted of informed me of a homeless shelter earlier, I lived at Samuel Bell bagging plastic forks, knives, and Home for the Sightless. Well, as in Hamilton called the Haven spoons. After doing thi s for fate would have it, I had to eat a House. When I went to check out maybe a year or so, 1 got homesick this possibility I was met with little bumble pie. I went back to and decided to move back to Ohio. disappoi ntrnent. The people the director and asked him if 1 I discovered a blind home in the m nning the shelter weren't set up could come back. Of course he Cincinnati area called Samuel Bell for blind people and there was an said yes. A nd so at the begin ning Home for the Sightless, located in of the month, when I got my next issue surrounding their insurance. Over-the-Rhine. I was disappointed. and even more d isability check, I moved back into I tried l iving there for discouraged. I bowed my head Samuel Bell and was off the awhile but I discovered that I streets. But wouldn't you know, and prayed for direction. that same girl and I got back together again. And we li ved together for some time, until I decided that I really wanted to live alone. Today, I live as a single man in a small apaitment in Hamilton, Ohio. I am independent. I am a vendor for Streetvibes as well. Life is great, and I feel very blessed. HOMELESS FRONT­ LINE WORKER TRAINING PLANNED A new training opportunity is in the planning stages for Continuum of Care (CoC) Front-Line Workers. Front­ line workers are case managers, outreach workers, house managers/ coaches, primary social workers and senior advocates who work on a day-to-day basis helping ho meless fo lks design and implement plans for independent li ving. The CoC, in collaboration with the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, has convened a planning committee to develop the training program. The course work is being designed to provide front-line workers an opportunity to ]earn new skills, gather new tools and gain val uable information on ·c ommunity referral sources that will help in their everyday work. The training program is a direct response to the Homeless Think Tank's request for better-trained workers to assist them. A series of classes will be held on Tuesday mornings and repeated Thursday evenings for six weeks beginning the first week in October. These classes designed just for homeless front- line workers, will cover such topics as: assessments, stages of change, safety, homeless p riorities, c1isis intervention, self-sufficiency, incomes access, budgeting, obtaining and maintaini ng housing, and b uilding for success w ith special populations. Up-to-date info1mation on community service linkages and referrals will be woven throughout the classes. Certificates will be provided for all those completing the course work and CEU credits for social workers have been applied for. Ifyou are interested in attending please call 859-594-4283 for registration information. HUD bas provided a technical assistance grant to The Partnership Center to be able to provide these classes free of charge to CoC (HUD Continuum of.Care) agencies. Class size will be limited as will the number of applicants from the same agency/ organization. Register by September 20, 2002. �STREETVIBES September 2002 Latinos in Cincinnati by Rudy A. Alarcon I currently live in the Clifton area apd I think I'm the only Spaniard here. There's one Puerto Rican chick that works at a nearby Subway restaurant - aside from her 1' m the only Latino I know. I moved here tl}inking that the downtown area, being closer to the inner-city, that I would be surrounded by many fellow Latinos and Latinas. That was a bad assumptfon to make. I've lived in Cincinnati on and off since'92, but moved here permanently from the South Bronx, New York, in '99. I'm used to the multi-racial atmosphere and the many cultural backgrounds of the Bronx, so it came as a shock when I found a small Latin population in Cincinnati and had to tell everybody that didn't care to ask that I was a Spaniard and not a :IY1;exican. Yes, there is a difference and not a whole lot of people think that openly to figure out that they 're wrong. I first experienced this when I moved to Cincy and it .didn , t bother me a t first until people started calling me Mexican. It was then that I had to explain the difference, I'm educated and well spoken, making it easy, sometimes, to get jobs. People mistake me for other nationalities and sometimes I'm discriminated against, but it doesn't phase me a whole lot. Fortunately, the atmosphere in Clifton and in Cincinnati in general is relaxed and mellow, making the people worry about minor stuff like race. The life here in Cincinnati is, overall, for a. Latino, somewhat difficult only because of the immaturity of the people. Otherwise, living in Cincinnati has been a new experience for me. I've enjoyed my stay here... and I look forward to the many future experiences ahead. National Housing Trust Fund Sign-On Letter Page 5 Washington Park Photograph Limited Edition Poster Now available, 18" X 24" poster - Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine, Winter 1999. Each poster is individually signed by photographer Jimmy Heath. Purcha~e benefits the children's Literacy Through Photography program_at Peaslee Neigh­ borhood Center in Over-the-Rhine. Posters are $10 each, plus $3 for shipping. Send your order and check to: 4. Serve the lowest income families (75% of the funds would Peas•ee Neighborhood Center support households below 30% of Attn:_Photography Program area median income, and the other . 25 % would.support households at 215 East Fourteenth Street up to 80% ami). Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 If you support the idea of more federal resources for. or call (513) 621-5514 for more information housing, please send an email with The affordable housing your organization's contact crisis facing Americans is information to harry @nlihc.org or tremendous. Across the country, a endorse at www.nhtf.org. worker must earn an average of Please contact Harry $13.50 per hour - more than- twice Lawson at the National Low ,.D ear Streetvibes, minimum wage - to afford a Income Housing Coalition, 202/ This is the first time I' ve modest two-bedroom rental. 662-1630 ext 243, if you have any purchased your paper. I'm im­ In an effort to create a questions or comments. You pressed, it is put together better We'd Hke to hear ·..•..~..,-~ solution to this crfsis, the Coaliton should expect a follow up phone than many other general maga­ on Human Needs is requesting, on from ljOU.... zines. I think the general public behalf of the National Low Income call from a representative of the has a misconception of the content Send letters or Housing Coalition, that you review National Low Income Housing Coalition. . inside Streetvibes. It is not only the attached information arid join comments to: about homelessness, it goes further the coalition of over 2950 Streetvibes@Juno.com, When someone steals than that. national, state, and local or write the Coalition office another's clothes, we call What I hope to see is more ·organizations as endorsers of a attn: Streetvibes Letters, them a thief. Should we not training in selling technique for the National Housing I 506 Elm Street' give the same name to one vendors who distribute the maga­ Trust Fund that would: Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 who could clothe the naked zine. 1. Invest billions of dollars in new and does not? The bread in Ms. A. Nystroal,, Cincinnati federal resources your cupboard belongs to the 2. Establish an ongoing, permanent DEDICATED source of revenue (a hungry; the coat unused in (The Head Hunter \ your closet belongs to the one trust fund) who needs it; the shoes rotting 3. BUILD, REHABILITATE and in your closet belong to the PRESERVE at least 1.5 million units of primarily one who has no shoes; the rental housing (up to 25% of the money which you hoard up funds could be used for belongs to the poor. homeownership activities) Basil the Great Letter to the Editor.... Write Us! While we make every effort to provide a forum for those without a voi<?e, STREETVIBES and the staff of THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, is not responsible for statements, and do not necessarily endorse the opinions of the people whose writings are represented here. "Well, its a Fortune 500 company-with ex~ellent stock options and a record ofvery modest jail terms.for senior executives.¥ �ST R EETVIBES September 2002 Page 6 A Personal Reflection - Service at the Drop Inn Center Proves to be Life Changing by Martha Napier When I fi rst heard about the opportunity to be a part of the Xavier University Summer Service Internship last school year, I was immediately fascinated with the idea. I didn ' t want to spend another summer by the pool, or working a job that I would solely be doing to make a few bucks. Instead, I wanted to spend my time away from class doing something that I could learn from, where I would make an impact, and something that would allow me to truly grow as a human being. I wanted a change, an adventure, a challenge. The internship was exactly what I was looking for. So, without hesitation, I took the initiative to be a part of something ...something big. I wanted to make the best of what I knew would undoubtedl y be a rewarding and worthwhne experience. In an attempt to be the most efficient as possible, I made a brief list, outl in ing the different agencies that appealed to me and wrote short notes, summarizing the advantages and strengths of each one. It wasn't until towards the end of my Listt, that 1 came across the job description for the Drop Inn Center. This was it. I had found what I wanted to do. In fact, the description seemed so perfect that it almost seemed as though it had, somehow, found me. The work that I would be responsible for there seemed to amazingly combine my interests in psychiatry through the recovery program, with my passion for administering service and care to those who cannot help or better themselves in the emergency shelter. The opportunity of the work at the Drop Inn Center was what I needed in my life. It was already a task that inspired and motivated me, but yet also forced me to leave the security of my 9omfort zone and challenge myself. At fust, I must admit, I didn ' t know a lot about the Drop Inn Center. In fact, my preconceived notions about working there were completely different from the reality that I have come to know as my six weeks come to a close. Previously, I had only visited "The Drop" for the purposes of performing one-time community service acts such as serving meals, or even cleaning the men's restrooms. On my first day, I was shocked to discover that the work of the Drop Inn Center entails much more than the services that it administers to the homeless on the first level. In fact, contrary to what I had believed to be true before, the Drop lnn Center was relatively huge. I had not idea that the men and women recovery live­ in programs even existed, or that there were as many offices as there are. To say the least, I had a real awakening on my first day of work. Originally, when I thought of the homeless, I had a very common stereotype in mind-dirty, tired, hungry and fairly uneducated. This image failed to continue to exist in my mind when on my first day, I walked into the kitchen of the Women's Full Circle Program. There, at a large table, sat about 10 women who surprisingly, Looked nicely dressed, well kept, and intently interested in the discussion at hand. But wait. .. weren 't these women au homeless addicts on their way to recovery? Where were their cardboard signs, their heaps of garbage bags and why did they look as though they had taken a shower recently? I soon realized Martha Napier that what 1 had before thought to be the typical homeless. person was not at all correct. All of these women were homeless ... but they were also women that wanted something more in life ...something to improve themselves. In the next few weeks, I would come to find that a lot of the people that I worked with and befriended in the program are some of the most in tellectual people I have ever met. Their wisdom and courage have been my inspiration and my backbone of strength, knowing that I am truly blessed. Getting to know all of these people was especially beneficial, but I found that when I talked to people one-on-one, I was much more likely to gain some true insight. I will never forget a particular conversation that I had that. He taught me not to judge your life on the misfortunes or the struggles .. .instead value your challenges and become a witness of the blessings and the gifts. For Alphonso, his pride resided in his baby girl, Monica, as he happily took on the role of a father. As for myself. .. I am still searching for the same passion that Alphonso found in his daughter, but for right now, I would say that it lies in my interest and compassion for people. By the second week of my in.temship at the DIC, I decided to really challenge myself when 1 started to teach a GED preparatory class for the women in the recovery program. Here I was, seventeen years old, not even out of high school myself, and trying to teach a GED class! At first, the mere idea of such a thing seemed very intimidating, as I knew it would prove to be a big challenge. However, I also knew that teaching and tutoring the women to further their education was something that I wanted to do. Soon, I would realize that teaching was actually something that I enjoyed and something that challenged me but wasn' t out of my reach. Of course, it wasn't always easy. Many times, I would come own community and the people into class, expecting to spend one that you encounter every day of or two days on a particular subject, your life cannot be learned through let's say fractions. I would then text. Lessons of life, of its realize that rather than spending a hardships and of its few days on the material, we would challenges .. . they must be spend weeks. learned ... they must be As for preparing for the experienced. reading and writing components of As Alphonso and I discussed the differences between the test, I would often have the women read an articJe at night, and the two types of learning, he shared something that I will never prepare a brief, one-page essay from a prompt that I had given forget. He said, ·'Maybe if I had them. These assignments proved to had this conversation with you be extremely rewarding, not only earlier. I wouldn't have a child for the women, but also for myself. right now . .. But, I have no Through reading these papers, I regrets .. .I have a beautiful baby was allowed to hear what the girl, Monica." It was at this women were thinking, know what moment. that Alphonso allowed they were feeling, and understand me to realize one of the most important things in life. He taught them a little more than l had before. However. many of the me the importance of finding issues that were often brought up in something you are passionate the essay were often difficuJt to about and proud of and liv ing for one day at lunchtime with one of the men in the live-in program, Alphonso. I have really enjoyed getting to know Alphonso, probably due to the fact that we can easily relate to each otl).er since, at the age of 21, he is on1y a few years older than myself. During this particular conversation, we spoke on how books can teach you a lot but can only go so far. They will teach you about the farthest planet from the sun or the most distant land in this world, but the lessons that you learn about the world within your �STREETVIBES September 20()2 Page 7 even read, and at first, made me the other staff and residents have. As Ms. Annie says, "We all bleed even feel sick. I couldn 't believe the same." Nothing could say In addition to Ms. Annie, I Peaslee Neighborhood have me many wonderful people, the homfic stories of abuse, what I have learned more simply Center neglect, incest, loneliness and such as Ms. Kemp and Ms. Ruby, or more clearly. 215 East 14th Street depression. The women had been both chemical dependency What I must realize now, as through so much in their educators and counselors, of my internship draws to a close, is Over-the-Rhine li ves ... almost too much. But what course, my XU mentor, Tim, as that this is the end of my official Cincinnati , Ohio 45202 I found to be truly amazing, was well as countless others. six weeks at the Drop Inn Center, (513) 621-5514 the fact that even after all of the I truly feel that I am a part but just the beginning of a new path of life. I plan to continue my hardship, and all of the pain, the of the community of the Drop Inn women were still in recovery for Center, and have found that feeling work at the Drop, possibly doing themselves. They knew that they to be most rewarding. I came into much of the same work that I did wanted something more in life work on the first day, thinking that this summer, definitely continuing I was not better, but different from than drugs, pain, and isolation. the GED class on a voluntary but everyone there. I didn' t know if These women were determined to consistent basis. I want to remain make a change in their lives and the people at.the Drop would a part of the "something" that I accept me or'even like me. Now, I have started here ... that same · were not about to give up hope. Throughout my internship realize that I had nothi"ng to worry . "something" that in the beginning, at the Drop, I was very fortunate to about. What is there not to accep ~ I said I wanted to be involved with. be able to get to know some truly or even different about me? Sure, What I never knew in the amazing and inspirational people. beginning, was that this I live in a different part of town, Of course, I enjoyed working with ."something" would be so big that and go to an all-girl, private, Empowering our the men and the women in it would be life-changing. For as Catholic high school, but when it neighborhood children recovery, but I truly feel honored of now, I continue to grow in my all comes down to it, I really am through peace, art and , to have met so many wonderful the same as everyone in the experiences and through the stories education staff. ·One person, in particular, I building. We are all living our of the people I meet. Because of have developed an undying respect lives and experiencing our own this experience, I have truly lived, and admiration for . .. Ms. Annie recovery in one way or another. and I am forever changed_. Coleman. Ms. Annie is a truly amazing person. She is the coordinator for the women's Full Circle Program, and was officia11y my supervisor, but more a friend and a mentor through the duration of the six weeks. You would never guess that in this little, delicate lady resided one "tough cookie." She runs the Women 's Program like she was born for it, and clearly shows love and compassion in her work. Ms. Annie not only runs the program to be one of the most successful programs available, but knows the i mportance of differentiating being a friend to the women and having their true best interest at heart. Ms. Annie does both without fail, only when the time is appropriate. To me, Ms. Annie h a~ been a true "We 're looking f or an outspoken African-American inspiration, as of course, many of who will say exactly what we tell him to." Wish List Streetvibes newspaper js published monthly on a shoe-string budget from the offices of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Can you help us with some of the following items? o Electric Stapler - Heavy duty o Blank Zip Disks - ForStreetvibes Archives o Supplies for Vendor's Lounge (paper towels, cream and sugar, snacks, etc.) o Office and Cleaning Supplies o Computers/components for Streetvibes story-writi~g, editing, research. . If you can help, contact us at: Streetvibes, c/o Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: s~reetvibes@juno.com Know Your Rights Brochure Available! The Know Your Rights Brochure is now available at the Coalition's office. The brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati's homeless and covers a person's basic rights when interacting with the police, as well as some local laws that might be of interest to the homeless population. If you are a homeless person or if you work with homeless people and would like to obtain free copies of the brochure fo r yourself or your agency, please caJl 421-7803. �:t""~. - STREETVIBES Septemht:r .2002 • ;' . ,... I" ~· ~·- only be unlearned by dialogue and education. This process has begun. As I attended each m eeting, and visited many United Church of Christ congregations over the past The United Church of Christ Supports Cincinnati months the recurring question has been; "What can we do to end the Boycott boycott?" Since many do not by Rodney Sutton, The Evangelist understand the dynamics of the On June 5, the United boycott, or that this is the least Church of Christ held press violent action of the powerless; conferences in Cincinnati and ans.wering this question has not Cleveland announcing the been easy. Executive Councils decision to Nonetheless, I continued to support the Cincinnati ~oycott emphasize that the injustices that sparked by the shooting of brought about the boycott are not Timothy Thomas and the three just an African-Ame1ican pro~lem days of social unrest that followed. or a problem for Over-the~Rhine, This decision brought an but a problem of economic and unexpected ·response from the social injustice that pe1meates the thirty plus local congregations in whole of · Cincinnati and Cincinnati. To Northern solve these Kentucky. Some problems we can pastors and many no longer look of their the other way. congregates We must follow were outraged the biblical that the national mandates to office had stamp out chosen to speak injustice fo r them on thi ~ whel'ever we may issue. find it. Local The church pastors Southern Ohjo began to hold Northern their own press Kentucky conferences, Rodney Sutton Association of saying that the the United national proclamation lacked Church of Christ has made a start substance on many levels, by hiring me as the Director of a including the lack of a theological Racial Justice Youth Ministry that foundation. They argued that the will focus .on racial diversity press release made it look as if all among youth and young adults. the churches agreed with the This ministry will haye as its focus boycott, but most do not. They felt the mentoring and community ' there had been a breach in the involvement of youth and young covenantal relatio nship between adults. It will help to establish a the local churches a!1d the national ministry of inclusion for all people office. There were threats to notwithstanding race, social, or withdraw from the denomination economic standing. and to withhold money from the The United Church of national office. Christ has a rich history of its Since the press conferences stance on social justice issues on June 5, and those which have since its inception 1n 1957. Its followed, the local congregations participation in the civil rights have held many meetings: a movement of the 1960's, its service of prayer and support of gay rights, and homeless reconciliation, dialogue with some issues to name a few. God has once of the national staff, and published aoain called for us to be on the 0 a half page consensus statef!lent in front line of social ministry, and the C incinnati Enquirer has given us a plan so the people disavowing support of the boycott. will not perish (Proverbs 29: 18, However, as qne of three KJV). African-American pastors which If you would like to visit · represent the U ~ited Church.of one of our churches or become a Christ locally I can say desp1te the part of this new ministry call me at unconscious racism expressed at (513) 349-5119. many of these gatherings that we are on the road to progress. I say Special Friends & ' unconscious racism' because I Neighbors Celebration have worked with many of these September 7th, Noon-Spm people and proclaimed the gospel Evergreen Baptist Church in their churches. I understand that 702 Gholson Ave. 'white privilege' .is something that Free Food, Gifts, many of them do not understand, Massage, Hugs! so manv of their words and acts of Call Jannette Johnson, 295-7999 racism have been learned and can Words From the Evangelist.... . ~. . • ·~ . ... ~"::..... : .. : ~ ·.-:,...._~ ~ -y. :-. -'- - • ;- • -·~ ....~ . -. ~ •, . • Page 8 Vendor Profile: Aubrey Bow~an heck with you!'" Bowman said he has met open-~inded people all over the city, but he sti ll feels there are plenty of problems here. One issue in Cincinnati that he didn't experience in Cleveland is theft within the homeless community. "Down here, they will steal your dirty socks." he said with a look of raised-eyebrow disgust, still somewhat surprised it would happen. In addition to some theft amongst the homeless, Bowman was also surprised to .learn Streetvibes vendor Aubrey Bowman about some other aspects of the area. Despite his insistence that by Brian Phillips Queen City is only as the brian_away@hotmail.com conservative as the rest of Ohio, Bowman says he has experienced Some people spend a problems with traditionalists h~re. lifetime trying to figw·e out Cincinnati. In the year Streetvibes When be began selling Streetv1bes vendor Aubrey Bowman has lived in November, he used the technique he thought would be here, he has learned more about most effective. He "hawked" the city than many locals ever newspapers in the sense of calling will. out the headlines, yelling out-what Recently in the GCCH office, Bowman shared his insight he was selling. , "Apparently, here in on the city's reputedly conservative population, problems Cincinnati, these people are not used to newspaper hawkers," between the area's homeless and Bowman said, shaking his head, how he became the self­ "At first, I was scaring a lot of proclaimed number one people." Streetvibes vendor. However, his innovative Bowman, 49, was raised in Cleveland with a brother and eight style was one of the reasons sisters. He lived .there most of his · Bowman q uickly became a leader in Streetvibes sales. life, but fell on hard times three Before Bowman was able years ago when he lost his job as a driver. It was then that he became to sell as many papers as he does now, he had to learn about the best homeless. sales locations. He studied the He decided to move to the area for several months and had South in search of better the traffic patterns figured out by opporturtities and stopped in February. Now, he can be found Cincinnati on the way. The in one of six· locations, chatting oenerosity of the people he met with his reoular customers and 0 . impressed him, and he decided to friends. His two favorite spots are stay. Ludlow Avenue and the "Northeast Ohio people intersection of 7lh and Vine are heartless," Bowman said, " people are more hospitable here." Streets. Bowman said 50-75% of Some locals might be his customers are regulars, and he surprised to learn that Bowman considers many his friends. said Cincinnatians taught him to As for the future, Aubrey be patient, and that he feels the Bowman hopes to get back to atmosphere· here is more relaxed diiving soon. He has to take care than in other parts of the state. of several issues, including getting While Bowman knows about the a physical. reputation Cincinnati has for Until then, he' 11 be around being conservative, he doesn't the city, loud and proud hawking think the situation is that simple. Streetvibes. And, to use his words "[Cincinnatians arel just Like every other Buckeye," he said, (as his smile lit up his f~ce), "Buy and read Streetvibes, and only buy starting to chuckle, ''We got the it from me!" same attitude in Cle~eland: 'to / �STREETVIBE S September 2002 project is always in need of people interested in writing articles on social justice/poverty issues, as Opportuniti~s well as assisting homeless and · formerly homeless individuals in writing their articles. Those interested in helping out with Skills Sharing, where the homeless individuals are ~nipped with important skills i ncluding computer skills, writing skills, First-Aid, etc. We need help in the afternoons at the front desk, There are numerous answering phones and handling opportunities for volunteers at transactions with our Streetvibes the Greater Cincinnati Coalition Vendors. This person will add:ress for the Homeless. We are the needs of visitors, having direct willing to work with each contact with homeless individuals individual in choosing a ser vice and should be available one opportunity that is right for afternoon a week. them. The following are a few There is always a need for of the areas in which the help with bulk mailings. For Coalition could use your help: Streetvibes, there are monthly Designing a web site for mailings. Other mailings in_clude our National Civil Rights the annual report, quarterly Organizing Project. This would newsletter, and various capitol include working with two campaigns. Americorp Vista volunteers on At the Coalition, outreach how to prevent further is an important part of our job. criminalization of homeless This involves direct contact with individuals as well as preventing homeless and formerly homeless the hwreasing hate crimes against jndividuals where we can seek them. ways in which to address the We need the help of issues and needs of each person. people interested in doing A person interested in this could journalism work. This includes work with ow- Vendors Program or interviewing homeless and work with staff to implement formerly homeless iridividuals to innovative ways to deal with the document their stories of how problems facing homeless they became homeless and the individuals. struggles that result from If you are interested in homelessness. volunteering at the Greater We need help with our Ci ncinnati Coalition for the quarterly newsletter and annual Homeless plc:;ase contact the office report. at 421-7803, or visit us at 1506 The Streetvibes newspaper Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine. Volunteer at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) Regional Office 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com (513) 421-7803 Page 9 Congressional Letter to HHS Sparks Fears of Retributjon for Advocacy Terje Anderson, Director of the Activities National Association of People Twelve members of Congress, including Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), have requested that the Health and Human Services (HHS) administration provide them with a list of individuals from organizations that receive any federal funds that attended July's International AIDS Conference in Barcelona. HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson was noisily heckled by members of more than a dozen AIDS service organizations while giving a speech at the conference. The protesters banded out flyers signed by twelve organizations criticizing the US for not spending enough money on AIDS in developing countries. While the letter to HHS was primarily to complain about the Members' perception of a slighting of religion at the conference, they also asked for the total amount of federal money that went into the conference. There is a fear that the members may be looking for a way to retaliate against federal grantees who spoke out against US policy. Local Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Research Study * Financial Compensation * 45 years and over * Symptoms of depression * 13 visits (513) 861-3100 ext 41 87 or toll free (888) 267-7873 ext 4187 O I SC .JOCKEY 3366 Erie Avenue East Hyde Park (513) 533-3402 7896 Montgomery Rd. Kenwood 891- 7740 SE l~V ICE Cli£.ford Jon.e s ( 513) .230-63 53 (513) 761 - 3464 Office The GCCH w o uld like to thank these Starbucks location s f o r their gen erous donation of coffee and pastries. With AIDS, sums up this fear: "Groups that do advocacy and get publ ic money are always concerned that there's an awkwardness in that situation. But I can't think of another time there's been talk of retaliation." While federal grantees are prohibited from lobbying with federal funds, there are no such restrictions on private funds. The request may be enough to have a chilling effect on the advocacy activities of federal grantees. Claude Allen, deputy secretary of HHS, while saying the department does not want to engage in a witch hunt, is quoted by the Post as saying that protestors "need to think twice before preventing a Cabinet-level official" from speaking. Allen fears that Congress may mandate that HHS not participate in future conferences because the protesters did not allow Secretary Thompson to deliver his speech. OMB Watch 1742 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009202-234­ 8494 (phone)202-234-8584 (fax) et :\:)O\ .~ ~-mail: jonesa~ • """' Voic e rnail ~·C.ti)c. B ~11~...., e or ... '-'Cx c hang · Extra! Extra! Advertise in Streetvibes! Reach thousands of downtown workers each month! Call 421-7803 for more information about how advertising in Streetvibes will work for your business.... �STREETVIBES September. 2002 P age 10 Streetvibes Interview: Valerie Le.mmie, Cincinnati City Manager Streetvibes reporter Jerome Manigan interviews city manager Valerie Lemmie in her City Hall office Recently STREETVIBES · reporter Jerome Manigan and Jimmy Heath, editor and photographer visited with Cincinnati City Manager Valerie Lemmie in her City Hall office. The following is an excerpt from Ms. Lemmie s conversation with Mr. Manigan. STREETVIBES: Please explain to our readers the responsibilities of the city manager. Ms. Lemmie: The city manager is responsible for the day to day operation of the city (using & corporate model). The City Council is the equivalent of the board of directors, the chairperson is the mayor. The board and the chairperson decide policy, goals and direction, objectives and expectations. The city manager's role is to be effective and expeditious i n the implementation of the policies, goals, and objectives of the city council. STREETVIBES: Does this city or any city, for that matter, have a moral obligation to provide for · the less fortunate? Ms. Lemmie: Yes, cities do have a moral obligation to work with its citizens to find collective solutions to city problems. I do not think city personnel has a lock on all the ideas, resources or creativity. Cities must collaborate with neighborhoods, the business sector, and civic organizations to address issues and concerns that confront the city. STREETVIBES: Does that moral obligation require that cities be involved in providing social service programs? Ms. Lemmie: Ordinarily, cities are not involved in social service programs. STREETVIBES: Speaking generally and not necessari ly specifically about Cincinnati, is the collaborative process successful? Ms. Lemmie: It is easier to point to the many failures. The successes are relatively small. I have learned that teaching people how to fish is a challenge. It involves helping them to be motivated enough to want to learn to be self-sufficient. It requires them to understand that if they do learn to fish they will have a greater stake in the economic pie. Then they can make a difference in their own lives and the well being of their community. STREETVIBES: What are some of the insights you bring with you to. Cincinnati and your position as city manager? Ms. Lemmie: We are still struggling with the meaning of words like inclusion. We are trying to find the definition for equity. I belong to a task force that is trying to deal with the issues of equity and justice. We are grappling with tlie meaning of those terms and how are they rec.ognized? I have studied American and European histo~y. Moreover, I have discovered that none of us­ has been able to figure out what to do next. During the days of the Great Depression there was the WPA (Works Progress Administration) and other initiatives devised by the Roosevelt administration to get the country moving forward. There was some short term positive . effects. Still, long term, there was thousands and thousands and thousands of people without work. I worked with economist Milton Friedman. His current approach is opposition to tremendous government spending. I do not think any society has figured out how to JeveJ the income disparities that exist. STREETVIBES: What about problem of homelessness. homelessness? It touches on so · While I worked with . many complex issues. Are there any successful models that proviqe Friedman, over a billion dollars a effective solutions to this very real year was spent to eradicate homelessness. We were still were and frustrating problem? unable to effectively address the Ms. Lemmie: No one has ever problem. found a way to deal with I do not have the answers. homelessness. I think the best way to prevent homelessness is to make I do have big ears and I am willing to listen to people who know a lot sure young people get a quality more about homelessness than I education. They also need do. productive channels in which to Stay tuned to upcoming issues of spend their free time so that they STREETVIBES for more ofour do not have contact with the criminal justice system. These are. exclusive interview with Valerie ' Lemmie, Cincinnati s new City simple preventative methods. Manager. They do not begin to fix the Art Corner by Anthony Watkins �- STREETVIBES September 2002 . . .: • -+ : • . . - - ·- <·, ... - .. . . .. -·~-·' .. .....--:. - .. ~- . -- • _,, ~ ..... Page 11 Over-the-Rhine Community Festival Brings Neighborhood Families Together photos by Andy Houston In spite of the summer heat, hundreds gathered on August 3rd in downtown's Washington Park for the 18th annual Over-the-Rhine Community Festival. The Over­ the-Rhine Community Festival hosted booths sponsored by local community groups, churches and social service organizations that serve the neighborhood, including Peaslee Neighborhood Center, the Drop [nn Center, the Greater Cinci nnati Coalition for the Home­ less, the Cincinnati Art Academy, and many more. Festival sponsors passed out literature and other organizations sold drinks and snacks or provided games for festival goers. The goal of the festival was to provide fun for OTR children and adults and bring the community together. Children were encouraged to participate in several free art activities, which included chalk art and painting. A stage was provided for entertainment that included a talent contest for neighborhood residents and children and sched­ uled live musical entertainment that included the Ove~- the-Rhine Steel Drum Band and local music artist Tracy Walker. One of the highlights of the festival was the unveiling of the new "I Have a Dream of Peace" mosaic park bench, which is now permanently installed in Washing- . ton Park. The mosaic bench was a collaborative effort of Peaslee Neighborhood Center and the Cincinnati Art Academy and involved hundreds of community residents and neighborhood children, each participating in the placing of mosaic pie9es on the park bench. The design and construction of the "I Have a Dream of Peace" park bench took place at the Center for Community Engagement at buddy's place on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhjne. Neighborhood artists were also featured at the Festival with works of art and poetry. ______ Enjoying games at the Community Festival _,,,,.,...__,._,.... Some ofthe entertainment featured at the Over-the-Rhine Community Festival R Write Us .... We'd like to hear from youI Send letters or comments to : Streetvibes@Juno.com, ·or write the Coalition office attn : Streetvibes Letters 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 A side view ofthe "I Have a Dream of Peace" mosiac bench in Washington Park ~ �STREETVIBES September 20.02 P age 12 THE PEACE VILLAGE OPENS by Dr. Steve Sunderland I am part of a team working for peace in Cincinnati since the April riots, the 9111 tragedies, and the rise of violence in the Mid-East. Our work invol~es creating posters and discussions that promote healing and peace. We are working with many people seeking to recover from the hard losses of deeply hmtful racial insults, and from the horrors of war both here in Cincinnati and around the world. Now, as the anni versary of 9/11 approaches, we are planning a Peace Village in Cincinnati. We are working with many people seeking to recover from the hard losses of deeply hurtful racial insults; andfrom the horrors of war both here in Cincinnati and around the world. ... This Peace Village extends an open in vita~ion to all Cincinnatians to reflect on what we have learned from this year of conflict and attempts at reconciliation. You are invited to join this peace effort during the month of September and become a part of the healing and justice effort. Our hope is to have gentle discussions about what we have learned from this year from the examples of those who have worked persistently for peace. These discussions may be positi ve experiences for people, opportunities to find a glimmer of hope and fellowship at a time when hoITor and fear will be rerun. My involvement began in observing the efforts of Angela Leis ure to make -sure that revenge was not played out in the memory of her son's violent death. She inspired me to want to draw posters about what her courage and compassion had accomplished in improving the climate of non-violence. As a professor of social. work at the University of Cincinnati, as a long time grief specialist and civil tights activist, and as a resident of Cincinnati for 23 years, I was amazed by her strong and persistent example of faith i~ people to stop being violent just after learning of her son's death at the hands of a frightened police officer. Her acts prompted me to ask what I was doing to promote peace and healing. I drew pictures of her as a way of coping with my grief emotions and, quite unusually for me, I shared these posters with my students. They also wanted to draw their reactions to the riots. Other groups in Winton Place, Clifton, and Hyde Park also ·sought to join a healing prncess. Very soon a large scale community grief process was underway as groups tried to draw their pain, their fear, and their hope on simple cardboards and with markers. For five months many different organizatons jo ined in this community grief art project. Many people had a lot to draw about their pain and appreciated the chance to share both their drawings and some words about what they were. feeling. The riots isolated us; the drawings brought us together in a search for community healing and peace. And then 9/11 occurred. The attack of the terrorists was an emotional earthquake. Almost all of the groups that had created posters about the riots in Cincinnati now wanted to return to making posters and having some discussion about the world at this point of horror. Clearly, we were learning that peace and justice was not only a Cinicnnati issue. Here, though, we were caught in our community healing process and then dealt this horrendous national insult. For the past year, many groups have sought to place their feelings into pictures and discussio ns. We have formed a community of grievers and peace workers without consciously realizing that this is both what was needed and what could be done. We formed a Peace Village of people using · their imagination to understand how we can create peace, justice . and healing out of a war experience. The foundation of the Peace Village is in the over 90 organizations that have created over 5,000 posters and discussions about peace, justice and healing. I have met with churches, synagogues, at the mosque, schools, colleges, youth groups, and police and facilitators in the ARIA process, to give each person space to teach about what they feel is critical in peace work. I have been privileged to see an outpouring of powerful art matched by the sensitive expressions of hope and · compassion. Just this last week, I met with 18 teenage Israelies, Jewish, Christian and Moslems, at the Mosque in Mason, Ohio, to create posters and have a di scussion about what peace can mean in their lives. In this beautiful building, we sat, discussed, drew, and began to realize that they, too, understand w~at Cincinnati is going through even though they had only been here for 14 hours. "If there are people for peace in Cincinnati, then we are Cincinnatians. We are not the Israelies of war, we are the minority, the spiritual and numerical minority, who must . have peace and justice and spiritual freedom," so these young and energetic teachers said over and over again in Hebrew, English, Arabic and with black, red, and blue markers. As we talked about our drawings, a remarkable feeling overcame the group, a feeling that something vital in their future and our future was happening in this little room in the mosque. We became "artists," struggling to imagine peace, trying to make the faces say what we want. "If there are people for peace in Cincinnati, then we are Cincinnatians. We are not the Israelies of war, we are the minority, the spiritual and numerical minority, who must have peace andjustice and spiritual freedom ... " Ruga, a very gifted artist, drew faces in profile and explained, "We only see one si.d e of a person unless we look for the whole face, the whole person." We all nodded and realized that the mission of peace in this group in our city is to face the whole ugliness of war, or hatred, of prejudice, and imagine different faces, "the faces of angels," Ruga said. This group, organized by an interfaith , intercultural organization called, "Open House," wanted to draw and discuss the depths of compassion . They made the wonde1ful assumption that the children of . watTiors could imagine a different future than their parents if they only had a chance. I have had similar experiences in an art class in Heberle Elementary where . Little children shyly drew their memories of the neighborhood confrontation with the police, in the lobby-classroom of the Wyoming Jewish Temple where 60 children and adults drew pictures with Hebrew and English words calling for an end to war, in the auditorium of the North Avondale Community Center with an Arts for All group where made posters on cardboards were the backdrop of a new play about hope, in the basement of Knox Church in Hyde Park where 80 people worked passionately on some strands of hope that could be placed in their posters and hung on their church walls, and in the University of Cincinnati's school of social work classes where students, fii ghtened by the encroachment of the riots, drew and hastened out of the room, and at Morehead State University where art students drew of their involvement with 911 J in passionate and detailed drawings. 'fhe artists of Vulcan Forge, recovering from mental illness, gave to this project a depth and beauty that amazed them, although experienced artists. The students of Clark Montessori, thanks to their student government leadership, created a poster experience that frightened and reassured all who were a part. We drew pictures of what we thought the World Trade Center was experien~ing and what we had learned from such horror. A lot of posters, in many groups, are able to look at those two towers and still think of them as gigantic candles, never to be extinguished. Doing posters at the Twin Towers Retirement Village, College Hill; gave another layer of pain a chance to surface as the elders drew pictures of both sets of Twin Towers. "We are very lucky," one poster and one elder said, speaking for many of us. I have seen the deep wish on the part of people to imagine peace, justice and healing. Through drawing a facsimi le of their dreams and nightmares, they retouch old areas of hope in themselves. Once retouched, an amazing force is activated, almost PEACE cont. on page 18 Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those ofthe Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �..... - __ , , STREETVIBES September 20()2 . • '~ ,_,.-- , - - ~Quotes In the struggle, rewards are f ew. In fact, I know ofonly two, Loving friends and Living dreams. These rewards are not so few as it seems. A nonymous Peace is the work ofjustice indirectly, in so far as justice removes the obstacles to peace; but. it is the work ofcharity (love) directly, since charity, according to its very notion, causes peace. Thomas Aquinas ~· • • ..... . ~ .;:• - '• - .., '_ ,- ..f· ·-. - - - J - • Community Shares Hosts 7th Annual Friends Fest Greater Cincinnati Community Shares, a federation of 25 locaJ non-profit organizations, will host its seventh annual Friends Fest concert on Saturday, September 14, 2002, at 7:30 p.m., at House of Joy, 5910 Hamilton Avenue. in College Hill. With support from Corney & Shepherd Realtors, Friends Fest 2002 will include high energy musical perfo1mances by Drums for Peace, MUSE Cincinnati Women's Choir, Paule'tte Meier and Panache Steel Drum Band. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Ohio State Senator Mark Mallory. The theme for Friends Fest 2002 is "Finding a New Rhythm," which reflects not only the style of music at this year's concert, but also Community Shares' commitment to findin g new solutions for chronic community proble ms, such as homelessness. Greater Cincinnati Community Shares was founded in 1996 to meet the urgent financial needs of local nonprofit organizations that are committed to po!:iitive community change and are n~t funded by United Way. Community Shares member organizations aggressively address some of our community's most difficult issues, including lack of affordable housing, violence, discrimination, citizen apathy, lack of affordable health care and environmental degradation. Member organizations include the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Northern Kentucky Housing and Homeless Coalition. Community Shares conducts workplace giving campaigns and has raised nearly one million dollars for its member organi zations in its first six years. In addition to fund-raising, Community Snares works to _~;:,,-·-- :.. . - ,,.,,...,.. strengthen its member organizations by providing other services 1n the areas of promotion, training, networking, volunteering and administrative record keeping. Community Shares has sponsored a Friends Fest event every year since its inception. The audience has grown significantly each year, with a crowd of over 500 persons enjoying last year's Friends Fest at Christ Church Cathedral that featured a perfom1ance by Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon. The purpose of Friends Fest is to celebrate the commitment of people throughout Greater Ci nc innati who generously_contribute their time, talents and money to make this a better community. It also serves as a kick-off for Community Shares' annual fall workplace campaigns. Audience members include Community Shm·es' volunteers, workplace supporters, people from member organizations (including those served), as well as the general public. Friends Fest is an upbeat event in which a wide diversity of people connect through good entertainment and the celebration of work for progressive social change. Tickets are $ 10, and some free tickets are available for low-income persons. For further inform~tion , call 513-475-0475. - - - '"---·- - ~ . '·.. r .• ~-·· - ._... r P age 13 '­ ART, MUSIC, AND WRITING OPPORTUNITIES! basic photography skills through Peaslee Neighborhood Center, courses provided at introductory 2 15 East 14th Street, hosts lots of arts oppmtunities for adults Peaslee. Call the Center for and children to learn ski Ils such class schedules. as playing a steel drum or piano, photography, making mosaic art, Writing - Any young person in or writing. Any resident of ~he Greater Cincinnati area may Over-the-Rhine or the West End submit poems and/or articles via is welcome! All sessions are email at for publication in FREE, includi,1g instruction and Streetvibes. Content should be related to homelessness, social materials. No previous artistic justice, or poverty-related issues. experience necessary. Contact Brenda Z. at 621-5514, or for Ca11 For New Arts Advisory more information. Committee Members! - The OTR Steel Drum Band -Learn Alts Advisory Committee is looking for representatives from how to play the steel drums in an introductory series for adults. the neighborhood and the arts Parents may bring their children and business community. This (age 9 and up) to learn together committee helps to formulate the if they like. Participants will ~irection and development of Peaslee's arts programs. learn steel drum technique, rhythms, and how to read music. Looking For New Staff Community Mosaic Art Peaslee is also looking for new music instructors for the piano Project - Community members are coming together to make and the-mallets program. This is a wonderful opportunity to get mosaic art for the Over-the­ Rhine neighborhood. The involved in teaching music in a organizers are looking for ideas fun and rewarding setting. Anyone interested in any of for the next project Forward these opportunities, contact your ideas to Brenda Z. Brenda Z. at Peaslee, 215 East 14th Street, Over-the-Rhine, Photography - Teenagers and young adults ar~ invited to learn 621-5514. l1MTAKING MY 4011( OOT OF STQQ(S AND P<JTTING tT IN SOMETHING SAFER. �STREETVIBES September Art & Poetry 2~02 The New Yorkers Crack of Dawn by Mike Henson byjh I turn the vast grieving circuits of the city of New Yo_rk and bump against so much density of life. At every corner, so much undiscovered human complexity in the intricate sadness of Brooklyn and Queens and the Bronx and smoking Manhattan. For each window washer and each woman with a baby on her hip is invested with a full human life". Each one shoulders the cross of his own story. Each is propelled by her own daemonic energy. So many polishers of nails. So many seHers of knishes and sushi. So many doorman pierced by the fierce New York winds. So many lawyers and nurses and students speaking so many languages snatched from every corner and cattle track of the globe. And all in a rush! All of them step out with long straight legs; all of them look intently forward in their New York manner and all of them stride stride stride '-­ to the bus to the cab to the cellars of the subway station. They whirl through the gates and clatter all-at-once down the stairs and know exactly which way to turn until they reach the dark platform. There, they wait, motionless and potent as batteries. Each man, each woman pulses with an electric, third-rail energy. They poise at the edge; they gaze toward the dark tunnel, tensed like runners at the block until the train explodes past with such a clatter and blur and metallic danger. It threatens them no more than the house cat that glides past the couch, and yet it is this tigerish, springing and metallic thundering thing. And they do not retreat; they step even closer as if they want to embrace the car. But no, they pause, pause, and the car stops, the gates open, an electronic voice chants the name of the station, and the people of the platform pause again and gather energy to step on as the others step off. And I see that all this strict and relentless movement is a vast and solemn choreography though I cannot hear the music and I stumble in my bumpkin manner along the streets and ·up and down the stairs of the subway. Astounded, I gaze at the tall spires of the buildings and the nearly hidden bodegas and the hustlers of Times Square and the huddling homeless and the grim police and the saddened men at the fire station and I do not know the steps and I do not know the turns of this dance of the ballistic and elegiac New Yorkers. An assemblage of slouching young men, frowning, angry arms and hair and music. Gathered in their own garbage ­ bottles, bones, wind-blown trash circling the shattered hearts. For information on submitting your poetry to STREETVIBES call 421-7803 Hideous, deadly, desperate eyes repeat the scanning ritual ­ Melt, Weed, Knife, Rob. Death by time, their youth buried, beneath the smoldering a<>phalt, that marks their pitiful scent. The future was then, marked by the innocence of a young child, scarred by the slashing of the relentless hate of men, and mom, and broken glass. Like stained and broken bedding, they wait by the curb, for tpe end of theif minds. Page 14 Do You Believe? by Robert Manassa All of the things in this world were created by one man and he's above. He showers us with his Blessings . When he speaks, it's the world he's addressing DoYou Believe? The things in this world were made·and molded with his own two hands How they were made we may never understand Do You Believe? No one knows the hour God will call us home Remember these few words; You will surely leave here as surely as you were born ' Do You Believe? My Inspiration by Jeff Branham The things of which I write about, are the things within my life. From the joyfulness that makes me want to shout, to.the pain that cuts like a knife. From the love that is void and unrequited, to the love both sure and true. From being overwhelmingly excited, to the morbidity of feeling blue. Things such as the way tbiJJgs used to be, ~nd things that have touched my soul. These are the things that are dear to me, in this way, my story is told. This is the way that I feel a part, as I write without reservation. I write down what is inside of my heart, for this is my inspiration. Friends Departed To my friends that have passed, That fell victim to the streets, just another nameless face, forgotten by most. With the dawning of a new day, To you I make this vow; That people will once again know your name And you shall not be forgotten. I wish to thank you, my foends, For the lives you touched, Including mine. Our· fri endshi p, the times and memories we shared, I shaJl cherish. To you, my friend, I will not say goodbye, only Until we meet. For in my heart, You' re still very much alive. �STREETVIBES September 2002 Art & Poetry · Page 15 Can't Go Home City Cancer by Mecello Barrar by J oani Lacy Lord, why am I walking your streets tonight? Did you know that homeless days started with a homeless night? Rain pouring down on m head, but where can I go? I know one place where I cannot go And that's home for sure. Cause for some reason they wanted me gone. Urban blight is multi-faceted. Ii comes in the form of decaying buildings, once grand and cared for until the caring died. It comes in the shape of rotting ideals whose reality is never near the dream. Urban blight is a city cancer, curable, but difficult to treat whjle it spreads through the streets. It feeds off of reckless youth with their pumped up energy until there is nothing to be done, except to excise the diseased areas. Love The Bullet by Geraldine Devine Iraqi poet Love is a word that used to sound and mean so much I tried to domesticate the bullet, When it was spoken from To take her with me to school, someone's mouth, then that person To teach her the alphabet you should trust. And have her speak But she is made of black clay WilJ tomorrow be a better turn? Love was never a word to be and and stuffed with canned blood Cause I can ' t go home. action, that was just thrown around. I tried to domesticate the bullet, This homeless Life can't be true. t had real meaning, real feeli ng; To take her to the water-spring, Whatever happened to my ljfe? and with a persons hea1 t it covered To the fields of dew. How did it ever come to this? so much ground. But she has consumptive lips Wasn't poor nor either rich. That love to kiss the lips of death I be down on my knees just asking Love used to be and action, To rummage or wreck the Lord And blow ashes in our eyes. to please gi ve me a place to sleep, or in English known as a verb, But now we are living in a time People looking at me like I'm dirty where not much of a purpose does I tried to domesticate the bullet, Because I'm all on the street. it serve. To lead her to the truth, Living in boxes and buildings To wash her copper with perfumes Make what I can to feed the Let's take this word, give and show And replace her gunpowder children. it with sweets. as our Father does from above. But she refused to be un locked; Wife die two years ago. Let's take, put, power, spread, and and re mained dripping pus, Hard to explain to my b~by boy recharge With poison in her breath. that mama this important word called Love. won't be back no more, And we can' t find a place to call home Can' t find a job And we forced to be gone. Lord, all I ask of you is to open the hearts of all your children. Make them help one another, Stop looking down at _my kind, And give just a little change, Before it's somebody in their lives Living this homeless life. Dawn of Time by Dwight A. Turner In the universe there's a cluster of stars. Cam I touch one wjtbout touching two? I may even touch the sun without it burning me. J blessed your country to be brave and free, But you keep locking yourself up, throwmg away the key. Is it that I can see? Or is it the light within, which makes you afraid of me? I gave you light, from the sun, the moon, the stan;, T hat you see. So why in this world is it so hard for you to see me? Shutter Speed Urban blight is a symbol of our times. God and the devil facing off under a street lamp. Book of Change by Sonny Williams how to say you ' ve changed to two dead girls after ravi.shing them in the jungle; because they were VC. tossing them on the trail with holes in their middle to bleed in the mud by the village where their ancestors lived for centuries both face up turning nightly with screams of pain, pleas for mercy in your dreams? by Sonny Williams �ST R EETVIBES September 2002 Page 16 A Growing Gap in A01erican De01ocr-a cy by Sasha Abramsky - - Two years ago the world watched as officials in Florida struggled to explain the mishaps and shoddy practices that had denied thousands of Floridians a chance to vote. They focused on butterfly ballots and hanging chads, but neglected a critical J?art of the problem: over half a million Florida residents had been prevented from voting by a state law that permanently disenfranchises almost anyone ever convicted of a fe lony, even those who haven ' t committed a crime since serving their terms, have jobs and are paying taxes. For like many Southern states, Florida had cemented felony disenfranchisement into its constitution in the post-Civil War years, when legislators were using any means to keep the vote in white hands. Following the 2000 presidential election, several states changed their suffrage laws. New Mexico, Delaware and Maryland either abandoned or curtailed their disenfranchisement provisions; Connecticut enfranchised people on probation; and lawyers in Washington State are working on a case to overturn that state's disenfranchisement Jaws. Iowa, Arizona, Nevada and Wyoming retain their catch-all , permanent djsenfranchisement laws. But the bulk of the disenfranchised live in southern states - Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia - and in several of these conservative legislators are fighting efforts at enfranchisement. Some experts estimate that in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida a quarter or more of black men are now permanently barred from voting. On July 18, Judge James Lawrence King of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida dismissed a lawsuit against Florida's disenfranchisement laws. The lawsuit had been filed by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York Un iversity School of Law on behalf of seven plaintiffs, first among them one Thomas Johnson, who weren't allowed to vote in the last presidential election. In his brief opinion, Judge King began by misnaming the lead plaintiff as Thomas Jefferson. From there, it only got worse. Brennan Center lawyers argued that the history of the South's felony disenfranchisement laws - along with studies indicating minorities are at particular risk of getting arrested and more likely than whites to receive felony convictions for comparable crimes - meant permanent disenfranchisement violated the 14th A mendment 's equal protection clauses. They also argued that Florida was violating the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Judge King disagreed, deciding that Florida had the right to disenfranchise people as long as the motive was to deny felons, rather than a specific racial group, the vote. Because Florida had rewritten its post-Civil War state constitution in the 1960's, he held felony disenfranchisement to be no longer racially biased. He cited as precedent a 1969 Florida case and a 1974 SuP-reme Court decision that upheld individual state disenfranchisement laws. The recent court decision neglected two important factors. The first is that Congress amended the Voting Rights Act-in 1982 to remove "intent" as a necessary precondition for a finding of racial discrimination, and to replace it with a resultsbased test. A voting qualification that interacts with social condi~ions to cause an inequality in voting opportunities violates the Voting Rights Act. Because ­ nonwhites are more likely to be arrested and convicted than whites, relative to their participation in criminal activity, felony disenfranchisement cannot but disproportionately affect African-American and Latino access to the ballot box. The second neglected factor is that, since the I 974 ruling, America's prison population has quintupled. A recent study estimated that disenfranchisement laws now deprive as many as five million Americans of the right to vote. Numbers this large really matter. At the last election, if even a small proportion of Florida's disenfranchised population had voted, and if they had broken 60­ 40 in Al Gore's favor - a highly conservative estimate given the demographics of this group ­ George Bush would not have won an Electoral College majority. Felony disenfranchisement, coupled with very high incarceration rates, has become a major challenge to our democratic values. In a self-confident democracy, such laws simply have no place. The Brennan Center is appealing Judge King's decision. Meanwhile, state legislators must speedily abolish these vestiges of Jim Crow. Sasha Abramsky is a media fe llow at the Open Society Institute's Center on Crime, Communities and Culture, and is the author of "Hard Time Blues: How Politics Built a Prison Nation." . A Fil0101aker Seeks Answers About Killings in Mexico by Mireya Navarro The New York Times Over the last decade more than 300 women have disappeared from the streets of Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, many later found raped and murdered, their bodies dumped in ditches and the desert. But even more stunning than the number of deaths has been the failure of law enforcement officials to put a stop to the killings. A trail of newspaper articles about the mUFders led Lourdes Portillo) a San Francisco filmmaker who was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, not far from Juarez, to this unsolved mystery just across the border from El Paso. Initi ally, she said, her intention was to profile so me of the victims and create a memorial to "these girl s," but soon she found herself trying to fig ure out what happened to them and why. "I'm not a journalist, but it was so compelling to try to find out what really happened,'' Ms. Portillo said in a telephone interview from her home in San Francisco. Her search for answers is chronicled in "Senorita Extraviada" (''Missing Young · Woman"), a documentary to be shown on PBS. The film has already won several awards, including a special jury prize at this year 's Sundance Film Festival. Even more rewarding, Ms. Portillo said, is that the film may lead to action. With her blessing it is being shown to politicians, human rights activists and student groups to rally support in both Mexico and the United States for a more thorough investigation of the deaths. At first officials faulted the women themselves, saying that the victims moved in "high-risk" circles of gang members and prostitution. But as shown in the documentary, which includes pictures of scores of the women and visits with some of their families, the only obvious pattern is that most of the victims were poor, dark-skinned and slim with shoulder-length hair. Ms. Porti llo's interviews with relatives of the victims, Mexican law-enforcement officials and women who survived their attacks indicate that there are many theories about who can be behind so many deaths: serial killers, drug traffickers, opportunists emboldened to commit copycat murders. One woman, Marfa Talamantez, even points at police officers, saying that when she went to report the beating of her husband by neighbors, a group of officers at the station raped her and showed her graphic pictures of some of the murdered women as they were killed. Relatives of the victims and women's advocates also discuss evidence that some of the women may have been targeted inside the maquiladoras where they worked. But more significant to Ms. Portillo, who wrote, produced , directed and narrated the film. is why the murders are still happening. Even in the lawlessness of Juarez. a city of 1.2 mill ion people and a center for drug trafficking. Ms. Portillo argued that the lack of progress in catching the culprits reflected an almost-cavalier attitude toward the victims. "There's an element that the women are not worth the trouble," she said. "There's an incredible disregard for poor, brown women. There's.a racist attitude and a classist attitude." Few of the killings have been solved. And each time, as the officials have declared the problem solved, the murders have continued. In the course of 18 months of filming in 1999 and 2000, Ms. Portillo said, 50 more women were kiJled. The film notes that many bodies have shown evidence of torture and mutilation, fueling bizane rumors.and speculation about ritual sacrifices. Ms. Portillo said she herself felt " very unsafe" and that the sister of a woman she had interviewed, for example, disappeared not long after the interv iew. "I had the paranoid feeling that the deaths were coming close to me." she said. �STREETVIBES September 2002 Racism as History Page 17 that was beginning to treat human A second difficulty beings not (or at least, not only) as comes from Fredrickson's insistence that racism must God 's special creation but as by Kwame Anthony Appiah "a peculiar modern idea without natural creatures whose history involve both difference and There are many claims much historical precedent. " At of power. " To attempt a short could be studied along with that about racism that would be another extreme are many who other organi sms. It is in the formulation, we might say that accepted by most reasonable think of racism as " simply) racism exists when one ethnic Enlightenment that the first Americans. Here, for example, are manifestation of the ancient modern attempts at racial group or historical collecti vity three. Nazi ideology was racist. phenomenon of tribalism or dominates, excludes or seeks to classification, based not on Apartheid was racist. The Ku Klux xenophobia." religious ideas but on purportedly eliminate another on the basis of ' 'Racism: A Short Klan was racist. These cases are differences that it be)jeves are · scientific ones, were developed. easy to agree about in part because Hi story" does not stray beyond And these naturalistic accounts of hereditary and unalterable. " It is they involve judgments about Western racism, in part, the supposed inferiority of blacks certainly true that racism other places or other times. Ask Fredrickson says, because it has and Jews eventually overtook the developed in the West that way. people, on the other hand, whether had a wider impact than any But once the ideology religious ones that dominated the recent Republican campaign comparable ideology, spreading, of the early 19th century developed, it colonized minds, debates rhetoric or current Democratic as it did, with European empires about slavery. many of which are now far from support for affirmative action is ru·ound the globe. But he also everywbere, throughout the levers of power. An People racist, and the consensus believes that racism received its history, have sometimes been indi vidual racist attack surely disappears. Racist Laws, fullest theoretical elaboration in beastly to members of groups they need not be part of a current pronouncements and actions, we the West because racist ideology of as different. What is pattern of attempts at group thought developed in societies where it can agree, mruTed much of domination. distinctive about racism in the American history (and in this offended against a growing There is a deeper West is the deve lopment of full­ respect our history is far from conviction that " all men are ideology to scale systematic d ifficulty here, that the attitudes unjque). B ut how racist is the created equ.al." As a result, as the explain why these others deserved Fredrickso n stresses ru·e, as he United States today? And who are ideology developed, it was also bad treatment. And that theory says, "sets of beliefs" about the the racists? Try getting agreement "condemned and resisted." immutable awfulness of other was necessary only because about that. Fredrickson argues that races, rather than hostile feelings modern Western societies were But another reason we Weste rn racism has two prime most others, which did not toward them. But wh ile racist unl ike cannot agree about racism is strands - one anti-Semitic, the shm·e the assumption that human ideology - form al, articulated, conceptual: people understand the other white supremacist - and were created equal.and theoretical racism - is indeed a beings term rather variously. More than that anti-Semitism came first. It thus had nothing to explai n away. characteristic and distinctive this, wrule you wou ld have to be was only in the 15th century that Nevertheless, I think feature of the for;n s of hostility eccentric to think that racism is the religious anti-Judaism of the Fredrickson 's analysis is to blacks and Jews that provide E uropean .Middle Ages - which not wrong, it is f!lf from clear that potentially misleading in two the central pru·adigms of racism, most of us share a view about why allowed that, thoug h Judaism was at least as impo1tant in the ways. First, his just insistence on it is wrong. Ts it that racists have relig iously incoITect, Jews, once of racism as an attempt to life ofracism ru-e the the role everyday hatred or contempt for people of converted, were as good as anyone rationalize abuses might lead deep feelings of revulsion, other races? Or that they have else - was replaced, in Spain, readers to conclude that the some hostility, contempt or just plain irrational beliefs about them? Or wi th something more like racism. hatred that many racists feel. As that they tend to treat them badly? The process began when religious real hru·m is done by whatever causes people to abuse outsiders the philosopher Jorge L. A. ls it, as some opponents of antipathy to Jews as nonbelievers in the first place. But, of course, Garci a has put it, racism lives affirmati ve action allege, that it is was replaced by "a consuming once a racist ideology is in place more in the heart than in the wrong to take account of a hatred that made getting rid of on as we have seen in episodes head. person's race at all? Or is it, as Jews seem preferable to trying to fi ve continents in the last few It is, I think, quite those who speak of " institutional convert them." This anti­ decades - it can lead people to natural, faced w ith the worst racism" hold, that the motives and Semitism became racist when appalling things . do the most moments in the history acts of individuals matter less than "the belief took hold that Jews Even if racism sta1ts as a Fredrickson recounts - slavery, the systematic ways in which were intrinsically and organically for abuses that rationalization lynching, genocide - to focus people of some races are evil rather than merely having other motivations, it ends up have on the ten-ible hru·ms to racism 's disadvantaged in law and social false beliefs and wrong having a powerful negative force victims. And certainly the life? dispositions." Now conversion of its own. Fredrickson says greatest wrongs have occurred Jf we all agreed what was not so much undesirable as toward the end of his book that when racial hostility or contempt racism was, one would not need a impossible. In a sense, then, anti­ racism in the United States is has been combined with power. theory to find examples of it in the Semitic ideology developed in an we have " like a bacillus that But hate-fi lled or contemptuous past. But things are made even attempt to reconcile that supposed failed to destroy, a live germ that thoughts and feelings about more difficult by the relative impossibility with the conflicting not only continues to m ake some other races can be found too, novelty of the term "racism" demand that C hristians should of us ill but retains the capacity to alas, among the powerless. itself. Sometimes hlstorians can treat all men aschildren of a single generate new strains of a disease K wame Anthony Appiah avoid talcing sides in God. we have no certain for which S. Rockefeller is Laurance contemporary semantic squabbles Similarly, when the Atlantic slave cure." So he is not himself misled University Professor of by using words as they were used trade in Africans began, it largely on thjg point. Sti 11, his theory Philosophy at Princeton in the period about which they are in volved the capture and as University and its University might be cm·elessly construed writing, but that would make a exploi tation of heathens. Even as the view that racism is a Center for Human Values and history of racism going back to the slaves in the New World came rationalizing gloss for forms of the author, with Amy Gutmann, Middle Ages impossible. For the increasingly to be baptized, there exploitation whose real motivation of "CoJor Conscious: The word ' 'racism," in somethlng like was no need to justify their Political Morality of Race. " is something else. its modern sense, appears only in enslavement - until it was the 1930's, "when a new word challenged, in the Enlightenment. was required to describe the At that point slavery's defenders While we make every effort to provide a forum for those theories on which the Nazis based needed an ideology. It is without a voice, STREETVIBES and the staff of their persecution of the Jews." something of an irony that the THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION The late stru-t of the word tools with which they addressed FOR THE HOMELESS, is not ''racism'· has led some to think this task came increasingly from responsible for statements, and do not necessarily that the phenomenon itself must another side of the Enlightenment. endorse the opinions of the people be relatively new; that it is, as the rationalizing, scientific side whose writings are represented here. Fredrickson summarizes the view, �STREETVIBES Septem ber 2002 PEACE community and without cost: 1. On September 1, for a month, the Hamilton County Public Library, downtown Cincinnati, will be hosting an without choice. Hope and love, exhibit of many of the posters compassion and caring, are created by citizens in the village. I suddenly in the room, on the am hoping that we will be able to cardboard, in the discussion, and in change the exhibit each week, our hearts. I realize, now, it is the giving more people a chance to see invitation to be creative in drawing their posters in this wonderful peace, that triggers the old impulse setting. of hope and permits a picture of 2. On September 8th, at some fragment of hope to emerge. sunset, by the Civil Rights Working in a safe and supportive Memorial, in Western college for context, in a very limited time, Women's Miami University adds to the energy of the campus, Oxford, Ohio, the Peace experience. Surprisingly for me, Village will host an interfaith, many people know immediately multi-cultural, opening of the what they want to draw and say. village with music, prayer, and The act of shari ng both art and meditation. discriptions of what was trying to 3. On September 10, at be communicated deepens the Hillel Jewish Student Center, experience, suggesting that below Clifton Avenue, an all evening the surface of each poster is the long program will be held called, more complicated and suggestive "Watchman." This program will meaning. If only, the participants go throughout the evening and seem to be say ing, we could get provide opporttinities for beneath the surface and find what discussion, posters, music, and is common in our hopes for justice, reflection on what is coming on 91 peace and healing. 11. The program ends at the time The Peace Village of the first plane crashing into the continues as a source of hope, both World Trade Center. for Cincinnati and for those parts 4. On September 11 , at 10 of the world that are searching to am, at the site of the mosque in find the thread of peace. Here is Clifton, Clifton Avenue, a "Walk 4 some of what will be happening Peace," wilJ go up Clifton Avenue, and is open to the entire pausing at every religious cont. from page 12 Page 18 institution along Clifton and ending the walk in the plaza of the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music where some brief comments will be shared b)' the president of the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Joseph Steger, and others. 5. On September 11, at 6:30pm, at Clifton United Methodist Church, a discussion of the day's learnings will be engaged in by the community. 6. On October 1st and 2nd, the University of Cincinnati's Just Community will be hosting two days of making posters for students, faculty and any community group or citizen wanting to participate. The event is called, "Mending Fences," and is at the wire fence in the central part of the main campus. Cardboards and markers will be available. Many other groups will be holding meetings, conferences, and trying to communicate personal feelings about peace in our community. In other states, similar events will be occurring, and around the world in many cities. Thanks to the efforts of Rev. Emmanuel Itapson, a Nige1ian Christian minister and a Hebrew Union College graduate student, efforts to be in contact with his seminary and government in Nigeria on this day will occur. Rev. ltapson notes that his community suffered deeply from massacres between Christians and Moslems on September 7, leaving many children orphaned and deeply suffering. Efforts for reconciliation are occuring and Rev. ltapson is returning to Nigeria in hopes of building an interfaith orphanage. We have a connection with Rev. ltapson's work, just as we have connections with the Israel ies, just as we have connections with the police and community in Cincinnati, and, just as we have connections with Ms. Angela Leisure in her grief and healing. We are connected by spiritual ties, by deep wishes for peace, by the shared opening of our hearts to all who seek healing, justice, and peace, and by a determination, however fantastic, that citizens of an ever expanding peace village, called together for the use of our imagination in the quest for peace, can move our world one important step for progress, for sight, for compromise, for love, for hope, and for each other. Come join us on these days and say in your language peace, vrede, shalom, salama, seleha, salaam. For more information on the Peace Village, please contact me on the web at sundersc@email.uc.edu. correctional representatives and less reveal themselves through friends. This is the aggregate of a misused, oppressive-based, ink. day in my life of doing time in this Their sadi stic dependency to antiquated system of teaching the control pronounces how weak and contains news about the justice system and the axiom of apartheid to those in need empty they are unless they have writings of persons incarcerated in our what they "believe" to be power of fairness. nation's jails and prisons. over those subordinate. In their My reality is stimulated by We are seeking subscribers who are willing to sponsor a forces beyond my control, a patriotic minds, their uniforms, prisoner so they can receive STREETVIBES behind the walls. control which thrives off of with its corporate backing gives Please sponsor someone on the inside. them authority, power, recognition, RETALIATION/RETRIBUTION/ A year's subscription costs $15. and strength. REVENGE. I'm under corporate A day in my life is Send your comments and questions to streetvibes@juno.com control so my corporate owners remembedng where you are. This daily seek to manipulate and mail : STREETVIBES, 1506 Elm Street control my dignity and self-worth is prison, and prison is hell. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 "Death is listeni ng, it will take the through clandestine acts of first soul that claims defeat. " intimidation and strip searches aimed at humiliation, all this designed to depreciate and emasculate my culture, my pride, and my integrity. But, still - I ­ by Greg Stover welcomed by me in the midst of National Coalition rise! this excising hell that daily for the Homeless The duality of my prison Trying to wake up early attempts to suffocate and darken reaJjty is one of fighting to stay in before the sun rises so that I can my hopes of a better tomorrow. 1012 14th Street, NW prepare my mind for the constant And so, I'm up before the crack of possession of my intellectual Suite ()00 equilibrium, or else come face to deluge of chaos that awaits me, dawn encouraging myself to press Washington, DC within these walls of fractured on as I purge my soul through early face with becoming emotionally 20005-3471 men - my daily struggle. I try and morning prayer. And prayerful, I' ll decomposed due to bei ng forci bly (202) '737-6444 medicated and Jocked away get up before the emphatic sound be heard. Fax: (:202) 737-6445 because of falsified incident of the pre-programmed bell that The life of my soul in this reports that are color based and awakens countless men from their place depends on how I master email: sadistic in nature. A day in my life death sleep and burls them toward simplicity, moderation, pure info@nationalhomeless.org is dealing with certain members of another chaotic, stress-filled day of thinking and peace as best I can http:// a region/class/culture and navigati ng through the unexpected while casually catching glimpses www.nationalhomeless.org profession who have obvious that is about to be unleashed. of faces that wear raw, naked authoritarian issues which more or Sleep, when I can get it, is always hatred, masked as corporate Prisoners' News A Day In My Life �Page 19 STREETVIBE S September 2002 FRAC News Digest - Short takes on Hunger and Poverty Issues www.ers.usda.gov/publications/ residents in the northwest Alabama with Republicans as the majority efan02013/ community of Shoals rely on food in the House of Representatives, stamps as a means of survival. spending in Republican qistricts has grown substantially while REPORT ASSESSING Officials at the Department of Human Resources in s~JTounding decreasing in Democratic districts. NEW YORK STATE'S Colbert. Franklin, Lauderdale and Last year, accord ing to Associated Lawrence counties say that Press analysis, an average of $6 12 2001 DISASTER caseloads have been increasing million more in fe<leral spending FOOD STAMP over the past year, due in large paL1 went to congressional districts Participation in the Food BENEFITS to the high ~nemployment rate in represented by Republicans than Stamp Program in May 2002 (the the area. The four-county those represented by Democrats. PROGRAM (Nutrition latest data available) increased by unemployment rate hovers at or . A shift in spending priorities from 152,831 persons from the previous Consortium of New York State, above 10 percent. The number of programs helping people in poor month , to 19,325,272 persons, July 2002) people receiving food stamps in rural and urban areas to those according to FRAC's analysis of This report·evaluates the the four-county area j ncreased affecting more affluent suburbs preliminary data from USDA. T he pe1formance of the Disaster Food from 6,300 to 7 ,500 over the past and Republican-leaning farm May 2002 level of Food Stamp Stamp Benefits Program (DFSBP) year. http://www.timesdaily.com/ country contributed to the change. Program participation represented implemented in New York in the news/stories/ For example, between 1995 and a rise of more than 2 million wake of the September 11 , 200 l 21287newsstories.html 2001, the Food Stamp Program persons.compared to the May 200l terrorist attacks. "An Assessment was cut by a third. http:// level, and of 2.3 million compared of New York State's Di.saster Food To view the News Digest www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ to May, 2000. Participation has Stamp Benefits Program" (J;)SFBP) archives and the latest articles/A47 533-2002Aug5 .html 1isen in 19 of the last 22 months. reviews the important contribution issue in HTML format: Increases in participation in 200 l that emergency food stamp http://www.frac.org/html/ A COMMUNITY and 2002 likely have been driven assistance made for people by improved access to the program F OOD SE CURITY ·affected by the disaster, points out newslnewsdigestl in a growing number of states, and practices that facilitated relief, digestmenu.htm by the weakened economy, causing ASSESSMENT analyzes barriers that undercut more households to apply. effective service, and recommends Our web site is http:// TOOLKIT FROM steps to improve implementation www.frac.org USDA - UPDATED of food stamp disaster programs in REPORT: HEAT OR (Economic Research Service of the future. http://www.frac.org/ USDA, July 2002) EAT? COLD btrnl/news/disaster080 l 02.htrn This is a toollcit, designed WEATHER SHOCKS for use by community-based W e'd like to hear AND NUTRITION IN nonprofit organizations and others, IN ALABAMA, FOOD from vou_.. Send letters or for assessing various aspects of STAMPS ARE A ~ P OOR AMERICAN comments to: community food security. It MEANS OF FAMILIES (National Streetvibes@Juno.com, t includes a general guide to or write the Coalition office Bureau of Economic Research, SURVIVAL (Times Daily, community assessment and attn: Streetvibes Letters, Inc., June 2002) focused materials for examining Florence, AL, July 21, 2002) I 5 0 6 Elm Street This study examines the six basic assessment components A growing number of Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 effects of cold weather periods on related to community food family budgets and on nutritional security. These include guides for outcomes in poor American profiling general community While we make every effort to provide a forum for those fam ilies. The study finds that both characteristics and community without a voice, STREETVIBES and the s taff of . rich and poor families increase food resources as well as materials THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION fuel expenditures in response to for assessing household food FOR THE HOMELESS, is not unusually cold weather. But, poor security, food resource responsible for statements, and do not necessarily families reduce their food accessibility, food availability and endorse the opinions of the people expenditures by roughly the same affordability, and community food whose writings are represented here. amount as they increase fuel production resources. http:// expenditures, while rich families increase food expenditures. Poor adults and children reduce caloric intake considerably during the winter. Existing social programs fail to buffer against the effects on food consumption of cold weather temperature shocks. http:// papers. nber. org/papers/W9004 (Abstract available for free; $5 for fu l1 Adobe PDF document.) FOOD STAMP PARTICIPATION INCREASES IN MAY 2002; IS 2 MILLION PERSONS HIGHER THAN IN MAY 2001 Write Us! Where Vendor: 80 cents ANALYSIS SHOWS BILLIONS IN FEDERAL SPENDING SHIFTED TO REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS (Associated Press, August 5, 2002) Over the past eight years, Printing and Production: 20 cents ~Your Dollar Goes The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more informa­ tion about the program. Many thanks for your support. -­ �...... Need Help or Want to Help? If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women's Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 557-2873 Bethany House 762-5660 Salvation Army Welcome House 859-431-8717 Women's Crisis Center 859-491-3335 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 661-4620 Mt. Airy Center Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Anthony House 357-4602 (Youth) 761-1480 Caracole (AIDS) 381-5432 Friars Club Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 926-2064 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 861-1111 651-6446 St. John's Housing HOUSING: 721-4580 CMHA Excel Development 632-7149 241-0504 Miami Purchase 369-0004 OTR Housing Net. ReSTOC 381 -1171 Tender Mercies 639-7056 961-4555 Tom Geiger House TREATMENT: Women 961-4663 First Step Home Full Circle Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie's 3/4 House 784-1853 Prespect House 921 -1613 Starting Over 751-3260 TREATMENT: Both 820-2947 N.A. Hopeline 351-0422 A.A. Hotline 381-6660 C.C.A.T. 684-7956 Talbert House Transitions, Inc. 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 OTHER SERVICES: Al DS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231 -6630 Center for Independent Living ROHS . 12-Ct./42-Gal. Heavy-Duty Contractor Trash Bags Helo is Just Rround the Corner ~ ~ 0~ ·~ ~ $3.47 ~ vJ)?f~~~<f ~ ~Q; ~~ 0 1403 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513 421-0700 10.1-0z. Clear or White SiliconeII Window&Door Caulk $3.57 6-Ft. Tvoe II Green Fiberglass Step Ladder $38.88 Options 241 -2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 Freestore/Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 G.C. Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 621-7149 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile 352-2902 Health Van House of Refuge Mission 221-3619 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen 721-4811 House McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect ­ Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 � 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 2002 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 2002 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Hundreds of Huntington Meadows Residents Face Eviction Pg 2: The Vine Street Festival…Oops! Pg 3: Eviction Continued Pg 4: The Triumphs of a Blind Individual Pg 5: Latinos in Cincinnati National Housing Trust Fund Sign-on Letter Pg 6: A Personal Reflection Pg 7: A Personal Reflection Continued Pg 8: Words from the Evangelist Pg 9: Congressional Letter to HHS Sparks Fears of Retribution for Advocacy Activities Pg 10: Streetvibes Interview Pg 11: Over-the-Rhine Community Festival Brings Neighborhood Families Together Pg 12: The Peace Village Opens Pg 13: Community Shares Hosts 7th Annual Friends Fest Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Pg 16: A Growing Gap in American Democracy A Filmmaker Seeks Answers About Killings in Mexico Pg 17: Racism as History Pg 18: Peace Continued Prisoners News Pg 19: FRAC News Digest-Short Takes on Hunger and Poverty Issues 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 2002 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Brendan Goodwin Mary Taylor John Halpin Cheryl Ware Andy Erickson Jimmy Heath Rudy A. Alacron Brian Garry Mike Henson Robert Mannassa Jerome Manigan Martha Napier Dr. Steve Sunderland Greg Stover Rodney Sutton Dwight Turner Sonny Williams Andy Houston Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alabama Andy Erickson Andy Houston Arts & Poetry Aubrey Bowman Brendan Goodwin Brian Garry Cheryl Ware Cincinnati Congressional Letter Democracy Dr. Steve Sunderland Drop Inn Center Dwight Turner Editorials Evangelist eviction Festival Filmmaker Friends Fest Greg Stover HHS Advocacy History Hunger Huntington Meadows Jerome Manigan Jimmy Heath John Halpin Latinos Martha Napier Mary Taylor Mexico Mike Henson New York Over-the-Rhine Peace Village poverty prisoners news Racism Robert Mannassa Rodney Sutton Rudy A. Alacron Sonny Williams Street Life Valerie Lemmie Vine Street https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/d5ac60bca99624c6f34cc57f1a612cb8.pdf c2342640c83873a53aee2af1cffd9d47 PDF Text Text ~ \ ~ C) first was held last June, Rally at Fountain Square Marks ~The drawing several thousand activists from around the city and from Anniversar of Cincinnati's Unrest across the country. Over a dozen speakers spoke on Sunday for two hours, then the crowd proceeded down Vine and Court streets to City Hall 1 where a bell was chimed 12 times for the 12 months people have been waiting for their voices to be , heard, justice to be done and peace !r:e ~ to come to the area. • 1 ~ Afterwards, 400 U • - ~ ~l ~ participants continued a silent --=-""- _g march to the Cincinnati Police ~Department's District 1 ::;_ headquarters. From there a .~ smaller group dispersed at the ..... alley located at 13th and Republic to death by a police officer in Streets where Roach shot Thomas by Andria Y. Carter Over-the-Rhine. last year. The Cincinnati Herald "Here we are a year later Throughout the march, the Approximately 1,000 and not much has changed," Sister Cincinnati Police and Hamilton people turned out to honor the Victoria Straughn of Concerned County Sheriffs Department kept a death of Timothy Thomas at the Citizens for Justice told the crowd respectful distance from the April 7, 2002 March for Justice on on Fountain Square. groups, but remained watchful. Fountain Square, one year after the Participants held signs March for Justice 19-year-old unarmed man was shot saying, "No Justice, No Peace," participants represented the vast "Cry Out for Justice," "Justice for diversity within Cincinnati; All," and "Food not Bombs," African Americans, Whites, expressing a variety of emotions Hispanics and Native Americans, and feelings. all gathered on Fountain Square Former Cincinnati Police promoting peace, justice and unity. Each speaker was well recieved Officer Stephen Roach was acquitted of all charges in Thomas' but many participants came to hear death. Roach left the Cincinnati and support Angela Leisure on the police force in January to join the anniversary of her son's death. Leisure spoke about how Evendale, Ohio police force. ...,; the day was very trying for her and This is the second "March Rev. Damon Lynch Ill, addresses her fam ily; how Thomas' 11-yearfor Justice" held in Cincinnati. rally gathered at Fountain Square Q. Street Life by Riccardo Taylor In the street life everything is serious. Mastering the art of seeing with your ears and hearing with your eyes is essential for your survival. The continous hustle and bustle of each day in the world as the street person endeavors to encounter the neccessities of life, is an ever changing reality which depends on the honing of these skills. The challenge ofsurvival is based at times on the willingness to sacrifice one's morality and civility as taught from the lessons of social upbringing. This sacrifice means compormising one's integrity, dignity, and often even one' s life. Relief from the dregs of survival comes in the form of prison cells or a stint in the local jail, in most cases. However, the ( ,..:r•illll ' \' • I .:: '~ \~ Angela Leisure addresses Fountain Square Rally old sister continues to wake crying for her brother; and how it is still difficult for her family to come to an understanding of why Thomas Rally.... Cont. Page 3 t"~ Marchers gather at City Hall ~In the street world, this is not some it. So the question is why? No dream floating in limbo. It is in one lives this life for the sake of fact a reality that has no real basis, Q~~-flei:efore, the question , sh uld be•w can be done so that yet, it is the truth in waiting in the mind of the street person. You just no o live this way? The have to keep surviving until your answer lies in CHANGE. Change tum comes. In the life, you have in a macro sense. Change that to get down like you live - nothing affects the entire society. Change comes to a sleeper but a dream. that affects every individual. Living on the philosophy of Change that comt through policy. self The belief that the world Change that can only be brought owes you something, and in order about by the fo e of the people. bottom line for the street person is to collect on that debt, you have to Change that for most part has to be that ultimatley you have to make stay in the game if you want to initiated by the individual. receive it. This keeps the street changes or you Jose! How ironic! Without further ado the street person must, without Every street person kn~w person's hopes of a future alive. down inside that they e detined The real problem is that one has to hesitation, start the wheels twning for loss, ye~ey hang o live by more than just hopes. You for the survival of their existence. belief, or better stated, the illusion, have to invest effort and time in They must take a stand in their order to get any benefit. The name own circumstances, eraditcating that they can get away with artful of the game is that if you don't tactics of survival without change. the "bull", and replacing it with work, you don't eat. Hopes and Motivated and driven by the things that will make their lives dreams are a thing of make believe more siutable for themselves. hopes that things can or will be different, with just one grand for the street person. There is no complaint without "lick.,, The one opportunity to Reality says that one must Life .... relieve all of one's troubles and do what they have to do. It's a problems with one magical stroke. hard life and not everyone can live Cont. on page 3 �. REETVIBES May 2002 STREETVIBES The Tr i -State's Homeless Grapevine Streetvibes, the Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine, is a newspa­ per written by, for, and about the homeless, social justice, and poverty-related issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for home­ less and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition/or the Homeless is a group ofshelters, agencies and individuals cot1lmitted to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCBStaff Alicia Beck Executive Director Meghan Clarke Administrative Coordinator Americorps• Vista John Halpin Molly Lyons Americorps* Vista Mary Taylor Receptionist Cheryl Ware Educational Out­ reach Coordinator Streetvibes Staff Jimmy Heath Editor Writen Carter Camp Paul Lawrence Dunbar BrianOany Laura Grace LAH \~ 'IJ John Halpin George Herrell Mike Henson ~ FanniJ. t\' Steven Paul Lansky Robert Lederman ~ Mr. Lee ~ \ ~ Molly Lyons Jerome J. Manigan Robert Mannassa Carol Rainey Edna Smith Riccardo Taylor Cheryl Ware Edward (Sonny) Williams Looking Outside for Answers to give from our hearts and minds by Jimmy Heath and our pockets. I also recognize local government, and sometimes Earlier this year I had the that this is not a reason to hide not even in our everyday lives. behind bad foreign policy. As opportunity to once again visit This is modem society, Central America, as a where things move for the good of good Americans, we have a moral photographer and a delegate for responsibility for our world everyone, and the sense of the Witness For Peace, a Washington neighbors and how we treat them individual seems to be lost in the through these policies. DC based human rights shuffle. As our country grows in When I speak to groups organization. The trip took me to population, we become even more about my experiences, I always Nicaragua; the second most isolated, even in our own homes. impoverished nation in the find a willing audience. People The windows are closed tight, the Western Hemisphere. (Haiti is the doors locked, and information is want to hear about what is going first). Our delegation met with on, and they want to know how to piped in through wires and cables. community organizers, How much of the outside world do help. I tell people that gathering government officials, and union information is the first step and we really know, unless we cross from there your heart will tell you leaders. the borders and take a look for what you need to do. In spite of general ourselves? disagreement with US policies, This month's Streetvibes I was not surprised at some every Nicaraguan we met liked looks at the struggles ofthe people of the things I saw and heard and admired the people of of Nicaragua and how American during my trip to Central America. America. Our hosts found fault, I saw many of the same things and policy affects thier lives. Nicaragua, by Jon Gambrell not with us, but our government experienced many of the same and its policies. How did we, as (Features, page I 0) shows us the attitudes when I visited El country from a people's citizens, become something Salvador five years ago. My separate from our own government ignorance makes me helpless, yet perspective. Jennifer DeLury, a in the eyes of these Central I'm happy to be recognized, not as Witness for Peace Nicaraguan Team Leader, discusses the impact American people? Aren't we the a repressive government force of our own government? of free trade and Presidents Bush's representative in a foreign land, economic policies, in Bush~\' Isn't our government for the but as a generous American. The Central American Free Trade people, by the people? This irony of all of this is that I Agreement Exploits the Poor, disconnection seems to reflect recognize the irreppressible Benefits the Rich, starting on page attitudes shared by citizens of capacity of the American people to many countries, not just the 12. be generous. We are always ready Nicaraguans. How many times, in recent months, have we heard foreign policy discussions about the Middle East and other international "hot spots" that included praise for the American "people" but disdain for our system? Our democratic system is supposed to reflect the desires and attitudes of its people. However, I think most of us feel that we do not have control of anything outside of our own lives. Maybe there is a better view from outside our borders. Sure, we vote our leaders into positions of power. But we don't feel the force of this power ourselves, not in.our Folks Dancers, El Regadio, Nicaragua Streetvibes Vendor Code Each vendor has to sign the following code to be able to sell the paper. 1. Streetvibes will be distributed for a $1 voluntary Photographen Jimmy Heath, Jerome J. Manigan Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, photos.... We will give prefer­ ence to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be purchased for $15 per year. c/o Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCB) 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OB 45210 (513) 421-7803 fax (513) 421-7813; e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web page: http://cinci.com/2cch Page 2 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. collecting for the "homeless" in general. I will be donation. I agree not to ask for donations of more honest in stating that all the profits from the sale of than $1. I also understand that I will be able to Streewibes will go to the individual vendor. keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. Future 8. I will always present my badge when purchasing issues of Streewibes will be purchased from the papers, and I will display my badge at all times Homeless Coalition for 20 cents. while vending. Replacement badges are $5 each. Srreervibes may only be purchased from the 9. There are no territories. I agree that I will not GCCH. Purchasing or selling unauthorized contest territories with other distributors. I will papers, or from other vendors, will result in termi­ not sell on private property without permission. nation from the program. 10. I understand that Streewibes strives to be a self­ I agree that I will not ask for donations or attempt supporting paper created by people who are to vend after 12 midnight. homeless or formerly homeless. To help in this I agree to treat others with respect - other vendors, effort, I will try to spread the word and write customers, and GCCH personnel. stories if possible. l will not sell Streervibes while under the influence. 11. I understand that failure to comply with any of the I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel above statements will result in termination from threatened. the Srreervibes vendor program. GCCH reserves I agree not to deceive the public by saying that I am the right to terminate a vendor at any time as collectine: for a not-for-orofit charitv or that I am deemed aoorooriate. �~ REETVIBES May 2002 Rally... Cont. From Page 1 was killed. She urged all to work together - the community and the police - to foster a sense of unity and peace. She added under these conditions there will be justice. "I do not advocate violence of any kind. Nor do I have malice, hate or vengeance in my heart," Leisure told the crowd regarding the actions surrounding her son's death. She said she could not bring her son back to life, but is working for justice for the sake of her son. The Women's chorus sang " We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest," a song written and recorded by Sweet Honey and the Rock. Sweet Honey had performed the song earlier this year during their January performance at the Aronoff Center. Life.... Cont. from page 1 struggle. One has to get with the program. There is no waiting for the magical wand. One has to make their way through sacrfice and effort. Egos don't fly, they are a product of one's efforts, resulting in self-satisfaction and happiness, as it may be. The street life is a short life, a life that is surrounded Local News I Rev. Damon Lynch ill, leader of the Cincinnati Black United Front, urged all to remember those who remain in jail and are responsible for moving Cincinnati forward to change the racial injustices in the city. Lynch continued the call for amnesty for the young men and women who were arrested during the three day civil unrest. He said that the reason why the Department of Justice came to Cincinnati was because of April 9-11 , 2001 . He said Cincinnati's history changed during those three days. Lynch emphasized that healing could not take place in Cincinnati until amnesty takes place. He said that those convicted during the unrest and the city-wide curfew, must have their criminal records expunged. Lynch added, "Justice is not an event. The March for Justice is a lifelong pursuit." by chaos and despair, a life that has no reward, only misery. A life that needs improving. Still, I know for a fact that saying these things are conceptually easy. However, actualizing them is another thing. I wouldn't want to be the pot talking about the kettle. Making the changes is one thing, living them is another. Often I find myselfjust short of what I say or believe, yet I Clif.ford Jones 0 (513) 761-3464 Office l!'-IJ'>ail: t. • :'j)O\.~C jonesa~ (5 13) 230-6353 ~ Voicemail # · c~c· %°'tiexchange- Vendor: 80 cents The Life by Riccardo Taylor In the life there are many paths a person can embark on. None with the intent of success, none with the objective of security, each just for the moment. Meandering along the high­ ways and byways of what they call the game. Never winning, never losing, just making a show, placing is the best hand. Trying to stay ahead of the game, using what means necessary. Living on the edge, never getting ahead. Wits and luck, the tools of the trade. Playing the game with­ out the goal of winning, casting one's lot for the sake of the game. Wins and losses are all the same - they say they hate the game, not the player. Absurdity, the way of life in the fast lane. Keeping it real, lying and conniving, to stay ahead of the continue my struggle with the belief that things can change. Those of us who live on the idea of pretense have to keep a little extra energy, so that we can make that transition. What this means is that you have to learn humility, shamefulness, and a sense of guilt. When you have to lie about yourself, avoiding the real, you have to learn to become humble in your personage. One has to come to grips with their shortcomings, admit that they are short and that they need some correction. This is in my opinion the first step to putting their lives back in order. We must keep in mind that things didn't always look this way and that they can return to days gone by. Again, saying these things are conceptually easy, or are they really? When I came to the sense that this is not so easy, to say I ~ ~~Where Your Dollar Goes Printing and Production: 20 cents The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421­ 7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Page 3 game. Blind reality. Insanity, the stepping stone to a sense of sanity. Never winning, never losing, just playing the game. Living lies, convinced that everything that one does is right. Living without moral bounds, without rules, owing nothing, existing on your wits, feeding off the fat of the land. Story, Editorial and Art Submission Deadline for the June,2002 edition of STREETVIBES is Monday, MAY 13th. when one is not living them, I concluded that doing those things weren't as easy as they seem to be. I have learned to have hope, yet I know without my effort I have no real hope. It is up to the individual to make the effort for change if they want to realize change. Write Us! _ ... We'd like to hear .". from 'JOU­ a _..., Send letters or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com~ , or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 Peace is the work of justice indirectly, in so far as justice removes the obstacles to peace; but it is the work of charity (love) directly, since charity, according to its very notion, causes peace. Thomas Aquinas No matter bow big a nation is, it is no stronger that its weakest people, and as long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you might otherwise. Marian Anderson �,/ R EETVIB E S M ay 2002 Reader Reader Mail Dear Editor, I am one of the homeless people who were moved by Covington (Kentucky) city officials on Monday, April 15 (4 We would like to hear from you days after my birthday). First, I - please address letters and would like to thank them for the comments to; birthday present, first time I ever Streetvibes, got one like that, only it was the 1506 Elm Street, wrong size. Not all people are out here Cincinnati Ohio 45210 because they want to be, everyone (or) email to: has a different story about why or Streetvibes@juno.com how we got here. Everyone should realize that they are only a Dea r Streetvibes, paycheck away from being in the I am temporarily working same situation. in the Provident Bank Building In September, I hitchhiked (Downtown Cincinnati). I really up to New York to try and help appreciate the gentleman that sells out, injured my hand and had to his Streetvibes magazine in front return home and eventually have of Wendy's on Vine Street. He surgery on it. I couldn't work for brings a smile to my face approximately a month so I lost whenever I hear his voice. You my apartment and got thrown out see, at first I would just ignore him on the street. I still have problems and chalk it up as some crazy guy with my hand (as a matter of fact, bothering people. Boy, I was I'm going to a doctor's wrong. This man has a great appointment right after I'm done attitude and whenever you get a writing this) and have difficulty Streetvibes from him or not, you working only a few hours at a still walk away, or by, smiling. I time. So as you can see, some of see it every day. us aren't out here for the fun of it. What also trips me out is Not a11 of us disrespect other's the white man that stands on the property by throwing garbage or comer with his sign and cup recieving money, not saying a word to people. I've even put change into this man's cup. Yesterday, I saw a little colored girl with four other girls and a lady stop and give the white man her change. For some reason, this touched and insighted me. He can be doing something just as productive your Streetvibes vendor. I appreciate Streetvibes and will continue to support it. Carla Smith, Cincinnati, Ohio Hail bottles around, and not all of the homeless drink alcohol. So I would just like to thank the City of Covington again for the funky birthday present and the thanks for trying to do my part to help after 9-11. There were some things in my stuff that I had brought back with me from New York that meant something special. Again THANKS Covington, for showing me and the rest of the country and other fellow Americans just how considerate and understanding you are. Even though I've been treated this way, I would still volunteer here for Covington as I did for New York. Please Covington, wake up and realize this is a situation that needs looking into. Not just the stealing and destroying of peoples' property, but also the fact that there is a homeless problem in this country. We're not just a bunch of drunks running around, littering the streets (ever see the cigarette butts outside City Hall?) and putting up homes where we can. Thanks again and God Bless America, "Hjppie" Ed. Note: See the Streetvibes Civil Rights News Report on page 6 for the story on the Covinton Sweeps. To w hom it may concern I saw Sonny Williams letter in the February issue of Streetvibes and I was inspired by his work and struggle to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. Panhandling also should be the rights of all who are limited in resources and community ties. It may be necessary to provide their own adequate shelter. May God continue blessings to you aII Lee Crum Consumer advocate Ralph Nader visits wil:P Streetvibes vendor and community activist Berta Lambert 1.l \ Write Us! attn: Streetvibes Letters I 506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 FRIDAY, MAY 31 S-8'PM Over-the--Rhine) $10 ADULTS • Suitable for Framing " ... it is in the nature of imperialism that citizens of the imperial power are always among the last to know - or care - about circumstances in the colonies." Bertrand Russel (International War Crimes Tribunal, Nov. 1967) " Never in this world can hatred be stilled by hatred; it will be stilled only by non-hatred­ this is the law Eternal." Buddha (563?-483? B.C) "Skill to do comes of doing." Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Society and Solitude "Ignorance once dispelled is difficult to re-establish." Laurence J. Peter "When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly." Edward Teller (1908-) Hungarian-US nuclear physicist "Some Scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe." Frank Zappa OPSNHOUSS We'd 11/ul to hear ....-.!11~.x fmmgo11­ Send letters or 215 E.141'1{ STRSST comments to: (at the SW comer of Streetvibes@Juno.com, ~... J4ih &S~more, or write the Coalition oftice Page 4 $ SCHILDREN, 12 and under STOP BY P6.ASLE£ OR CALL 621-SS14 TO ORDER YOUR TICI<STS Story, Editorial and Art Submission Deadline for the June, 2002 edition of STREETVIBES is Monday, MAY 13th. �./REETVIBES May 2002 Boycott of Cincinnati Continues Despite Lawsuit The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati will not call off the boycott on Cincinnati despite a pending lawsuit. The Cincinnati Arts Association, (CAA) which manages local government-owned venues, has filed a lawsuit in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas against individuals active in the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati, alleging tortious interference with a contract. The suit comes in the wake Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati , Ohio 45210 of a string of national performers canceling their scheduled appearances in Cincinnati. The lawsuit asks for $88,850 in damages due to cancellations, and $500,000 in punitive damages. On February 28, the Coalition received a letter from the CAA, threatening to sue the organization and the individuals who have led a boycott of Cincinnati. In March, in United States District Court, the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati filed an action for declaratory relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2201. This action seeks a declaration that the letter (of 2/28/02), from the Cincinnati Arts Association, constitutes an impermissible restraint ofFirst Amendment rights. On March 18, 2002, the CAA followed through with its threat of suit. In April of last year, citizens of Cincinnati rose up following the killing of Timothy Thomas, an unarmed 19-year-old African American man, by a white police officer in Over-the-Rhine. Thomas was the 15th African- American man killed by the police in the last five years, a fact that highlights the lack of civilian control of the City,s police force, and a "battle-zone" approach to policing the City's inner-city neighborhoods. Conditions of extreme poverty exist in nine Cincinnati neighborhoods designated by HUD as "economic disaster areas." Basic human rights are denied citizens of Cincinnati, with an ordinance written into the City Charter that denies equal protection in housing and employment on the basis of sexual orientation. The boycott was enacted after calls to address these severe problems in our city continued to fall on deaf ears. The boycott calls for sanctions on tourism and conventions throughout Cincinnati, and urges people living in and near Cincinnati to avoid spending money in the downtown business district. In addition, in January of this year, the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati beJ n the " ists of Conscience" campaign, which calls for all Artists of Conscience to honor the boycott and to refuse to perform in Cincinnati. In recent months several artists including Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg, Smokey Robinson, Wynton Marsalis and others have canceled their scheduled performances. The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati will stay its course until real change begins in Cincinnati. Solutions would include real advancement in the areas of economic equality, education and a local government responsive to the needs of the inner city. After fulfilling our civic duty of petitioning, voicing our opinions in city council meetings, and filing grievances, a boycott became necessary. It is our only viable, non-violent means of getting the city government's attention. Despite these efforts, local leaders seem to be digging in their heels, not only refusing to meet and negotiate with the boycott groups but calling them " economic terrorists". (513) 621-5514 Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education . "And all do-gooders opposed... SHUT UPI" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- The GCCH would like to thank this Starbucks location for their generous donation of coffee and pastries. 3366 Erie Avenue East Hyde Park (513) 533-3402 National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) Molly Lyons and John Halpin 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 homelesscivi lrights@yahoo.com (513) 421-7803 ---~~~ (.7 --~-~ ~,· ~- CHRISTIAN HOME-BASED BUSINESS Finally . . . . . a Network-Marketing Company that has developed a unique Product Line and Marketing Plan especially for the Christian Community. Tens of thousands of members in all 50 states and GROWING!!! each and every m~nth. v-' t/ t/ t/ FREE Sign Up FREE Info Packs Conference Calling Auto-Ship Program • One-of-a-Kind ... Nutritional Products Hair Care Products Skin Care Products Rnd out how you can become part of this Home BHed Opportunity that will allow you tXJ join your felk:llN brothers & sista's in Christ and give you a real opporrunity to earn an honest residual monthly income. For a FREE 18 page Info Pack .•• Call Now!! 1-800-585-5873 Ext. 3 ~~st · leave- ID# 56026 with reply Sign up early to benefit from this ad! �/ REETVIBES May 2002 Know Your Rights by Molly Ly ons andJohn Halpin mental illness. As you may remember, interactions between Every month we mentally ill persons and the police will be highlighting a have taken tragic turns in the past, such as in the case of Lorenzo law or ordinance that Collins, who was fatally shot by affects homeless people police in 1997. in Cincinnati. This The racial profiling settlement makes a specific column does nothing to provision so that people without a replace sound legal fixed address will be included in a advice from an periodic evaluation of citizen satisfaction with the police. A accredited lawyer, but "probability sample,, of people seeks to empower and will be taken throughout the city, educate people in but since these samples typically miss people without a fixed dealing with the address, a non-probability sample criminal justice system will be specifically designed for and their lawyers. people who may be homeless. One of the most useful provisions in the racial profiling lawsuit is the mandate for officers to tell a person why she or he has been stopped or detained. People experiencing homelessness frequently report that police officers stop them for no apparent reason or stop them asking to see their identification. Requiring by John Halpin and Molly Lyons officers to explain their actions Last month's "collaborative will hopefully cut down on unnecessary questioning by the agreement,, actually settled two police, as well as to help people different issues, one being the understand why they were stopped Department of Justice's or detained when this was done so investigation into the Cincinnati for a legitimate reason. police, and the other being the Both agreements contain racial profiling lawsuit brought by provisions that make it easier for a the Cincinnati Black United Front citizen to make a complaint and the American Civil Liberties against an officer. The racial Union. The Civil Rights Project is profiling settlement mandates pleased with numerous provisions police officers display their badges of the agreements that may on request and that they must not improve relations between police retaliate or disapprove of citizen and the homeless community. recording their badge numbers. One substantial part of the The DOJ-City agreement requires agreement between the City and officers to carry information on the the Department of Justice will complaint process, as well as result in the Cincinnati Police actual complaint forms. Police Division (CPD) training a special will have to inform a citizen of his group of officers to respond to or her right to make a complaint if incidents involving persons who the citizen objects to an officer's are mentally ill. The officers will conduct. receive multi-disciplinary training The Department of Justice from mental health practitioners agreement contains a significant and substance abuse counselors, amount of changes that will be including training on how to de­ made to police use of force escalate conflicts. Mental health practitioners will also be available procedures. The proposed policy revisions will be made available to to respond to situations if they are the public via Community needed. The Greater Cincinnati Councils, other community groups, Coalition for the Homeless' 2000 and CPD's website. A few of the homeless study found that about 10% of the homeless population in changes include the following: Police will incorporate a use of Cincinnati have some form of Cincinnati's Racial Profiling Settlement Gives Homeless Rights a Boost u y's o ace Permanent Housing for formerly homeless individuals at 1300 Vine Street. For more information, call Agnes Mack at (513) 784..0800 Page 6 force .model which will describe what kinds of force may be appropriate for specific conduct. Officers will be advised that excessive use of force will subject them to discipline, possible criminal prosecution, and/or civil liability. The changes will also re­ enforce that individuals should be allowed to submit to arrest prior to the use of force. Significant changes were made to the department's chemical spray policy, as well. The new policy, among other things, will require officers to give a warning before using chemical spray. It will only be used if necessary to protect someone from physical harm, to arrest a person who is actively resisting, or to arrest someone who is trying to escape. The agreement will also require police to offer to decontaminate the person who has been sprayed within the twenty minutes after the incident. on the riverbank. The police in New Hampshire have stated that the fire was started by vandals not the homeless people living there. The mayor had stated that when the camps where evicted again people would be given notice and their personal belongings would not be thrown away. On Friday there were still camps up that the city workers took down against the objections of the almost 50 peopled gathered to protest the removal of the property. The police told advocates that personal property would be taken to 43rd street. This concern after the fact does not help the people who have already had all of their belongings, including a litter of six kittens, thrown away. The mayor handed out forms that listed different agencies where he said people could go. The only agency on the list that provides emergency shelter for single men in Covington is Fairhaven Rescue Mission. The reason for this is Fairhaven is the only shelter that does emergency shelter in the City of Covington. Fairhaven has only 24 bed half of those are long term beds, the other half you can only stay for 7days every three months. You have to be in by 6PM every evening, you have to pass a breathaJyzer to get in and you have to attend a church service. Evicting people from homeless encampments is a trend that happens around the country. by Molly Lyons and Mark Many times like in Covington, the Teegarden people living in the camps have little or no other housing options. On Friday April 12, 2002, Other times people stay in camps Captain Finan of the City of because of a desire for community Covington police put in a work order to clean the riverbank and to and autonomy that they can not get in a shelter. Lawsuits like get rid of Pottinger v. anything that Miami have looked liked held that it is housing or bedding. None THE CITY OF COVINGTON WILL illegal for cities to of the at least 17 RESUME CLEANUP OF THE throw out homeless people RIVERBANK ON FRIDAY APRIL people's (the majority of 19TR AT 10:00 A.M. property who work full without due time jobs) were *MAKE SURE TO REMOVE ALL warned in TEMPORARY HOUSING AND ALL process. The advance that this PERSONAL ITEMS BEFORE Tms people who have had was going to TIME. their occur. Covington sweeps riverbanks, Riverbank residents and homeless advocates respond. NOTICE *ANY ITEMS REMAINING ON THE property RIVERBANK AFTER 10:00 A.M. ON thrown out APRIL 191 H WILL BE DISCARDED h~ve met · with lawyers and are planning to file su1·t i·n .. d I te era court. '1'0 fi d t ANYONE NE.EDJNG ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING AND OTHER HOMELESS ISSUES CAN CONTACT TB! FOLLOWING AGENCIES: *PARISRKITCKEN - 141 PlKEST., COVINGTON 531-7745 •WELCOME HOUS&-2-05 P£1(EST., COVINGTON 431-8717 •FAIR.HAVENRESCUE - 260PIKEST.,COVINGTON 491-1027 • tNTERFAITHROSPJTALlTY - 18E.9T11, NEWPORT Cl-6840 • HENRY HOSEA DOUSE - 901 YORK. NEWPORT 261·5857 •OROPlNNCENTER - 2l7 W. l2TM, CtNCINNATI 513-721.-0643 .1' lil OU �1 J. R E ETVIBES May 2002 The Library creates new anti-s I pol· y. Recently the board of The Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County agreed to a policy, under the respect for others clause, that would allow people to be removed from the library for "offensive and pervasive body odor that constitutes a nuisance to other customers and staff." This policy has not been implemented yet because the library is waiting to hear back from the prosecutor's office on it. The policy does not include people who have an offensive and pervasive odor that constitutes a nuisance because of perfume and other synthetic fragrances. Other libraries across the country have passed similar policies that have been taken to court for violating people's first and Fifth Amendment for being overbroad and violating due process laws. One of the cases in Washington DC, was decided in the plaintiffs favor because the court decided that there was no objective standard for what was objectionable appearance which included such things as being barefooted, bare­ chested, body odor, filthy clothing, etc. The standard applied to the policy says that the odor has to be a nuisance but there is not a universal library policy for what a nuisance is. The library has 40 different buildings and it would be up to the staff at each buildin etermine what is a nmsan . e told that there will be tra · ·ngto differen · staff and when people are rem ved it should be documented. 19~ The Natio~-H~meless Civil Rights Organizmg Project fears that this policy may be used to remove homeless people who have no control over their body odors from the library. We have specific concerns because the policy does not include people wearing synthetic chemicals so does not address people who smell bad but have an unnatural smell. The PR department at the library has assured us that the policy is not being put in place to find an excuse to discriminate, but many times policies that are not put in place to discriminate do it unintentionally. For more information or to report discrimination against homeless people )please call Molly Lyons or John Halpin at 421-7803. f Page 7 keeping tight schedules for appearance or convemence. Danny Glover has a most personable way about him that makes one feel as though they are spending time with a favorite relative more so than a famous by George Herrell personality, even though he was under great pressure and was being When I was first offered rushed about and was even behind, the opportunity to interview Danny pressed to end the interview Glover, a man who is one of quickly, he Hollywood's was even inost respected gracious leading men, enough to who is known, stop long for among other enough to things, his roles take pictures in movies such with me and as "Places In my associates The Heart", before "The Color continuing to Purple", and fulfill his "Lethal obligations as Weapon", I emcee. The knew there was final event of no way I could the evening pass up the just sort of chance to meet put such a versatile everything superstar! Mr. into Glover was in Streetvibes reporter Brian Garry interviews Danny Glover perspective the Tri-State to only individual city listed in it! because at the end of our emcee the Greater Cincinnati One can't help but wonder why interview, as my associates and YMCAs 2002 Annual Meeting myself were preparing to leave, which was held Tuesday, March 26 that was the case? When asked about the and the guests with their beautiful at the Northern Kentucky boycott cJothes were greeting each other Mr. Glover stated that he Convention Center. outside the banquet room of tables supports boycotts if their Upon arriving for our coordinators had exhausted all filled with elegant cuisine, Ms. scheduled interview (five minutes other options, and if the Hauser was gracious enough to early) we were informed by our provide us with two cans of Dr. communities supported them. I contact for the interview Ms. Pepper, and one can of caffeine must say that upon meeting and Barbara Hauser "Public Relations having had the chance to talk to free Pepsi with a courteous and Account Manager" for "Powers guiding "Thank you for coming" Mr. Glover, I now realize that he is and Associates" that the preceding as she pointed us to the elevators! not only an award winning actor, interviews and rehearsals had run Barbara, "chill out"! We only overtime and so " Danny" wouldn't producer, and director, Danny came for the interview, we weren't Glover is by far the most caring be available to grant us the humanitarian I have ever had the planning on crashing the party!! interview after all. What Ms. pleasure You of meeting, and a man could truly learn a lot from Hauser wasn't aware of however "Danny"!!! who understands that the was that onJy moments earlier Mr. Editorial assistance Glover had "personally" assured us community's needs should always provided by Brian Gany be put ahead of the importance of that he would be more than happy An Interview With Danny Glover to take the time to speak with us. Mr. Glover is a gational YMCA advocate. He stated that the YMCA has always had a positive affect on the community's youth and has always provided the community with an inexhaustible source of positive energy and assistance including helping the Write Us .... We'd like to hear from youI Send letters or comments to : Streetvibes@Juno.com, or write the Coalition office attn : Streetvibes Letters 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati . Ohio 45210 homeless find suitable housing. One thing I couldn't help but notice about Ms. Hauser's "News Release" packet was that even though the "Gala Event" was being held in Northern Kentucky, and was being held to praise the YMCA and its people for the positive things they've done for communities throughout the Tri­ State, Cincinnati was the first and Know Your Rights Brochure Available! The Know Your Rights Brochure is now available at the Coalition's office. The brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati's homeless and covers a person's basic rights when interacting withf11~-.~~ the police, as well as some local laws that might be ofinterest to the homeless population. If you are a homeless person or if you work with homeless people and would like to obtain free copies of the brochure for yourself or your agency, please call John or Molly at 421-7803. �./REE T V IB E S May 2002 Page 8 House Moves Forward on in solitary for long lengths of time and often Welfare put on Thorazine. But he resisted prison treatment Reauthorization by educating himself and PRISONERS' NEWS - -~...._... ln April, two House trying to develop a rational understanding of subcommittees approved nearly liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii& i;;;iiiliilii;iii;;iiiii• the origins and effects of identical bills to reauthorize the violence. Abbott wrote Temporary Assistance to Needy to Mailer, "you do not understand Families (TANF) program. The the devastating nature of civilized bill was approved on a 6 to 4 violence ...The shah of Iran will party-line vote. Both chop off your hands, but he will subcommittee-approved bills not (because he cannot) take your closely mirror President Bush's by Carol Rainey soul from you. In America.. .if its TANF reauthorization proposal. prisons hold the slightest authority Each would require a greater For the last ten years I over you, it can and will destroy number of welfare recipients to have been teaching a course in the you - it can and will take your work longer hours while limiting soul. Evening College at UC on prison the number of activities they may literature and always begin with be engaged in for much of the Ab n the book by Jack Abbott, In the t? defy ~s brutalization. A short \' ~ k. Despite imposing these Belly of the Beast, a collection of tlmejc(fteiin the Belly of the Beast andates, neither bill contains letters he wrote to Norman Mailer was\published in 1981, Abbott got increased funding to provide child in the late sixties. It is a powerful out orprison, but totally book about prison conditions and unprepared for civilian life · ed care assistance or other work his refusal to adapt to the a waiter in a restauran only a few supports to families. Furthermore, like the President's plan, the brutalities which were a daily .,cu.<......_,_ eeks after · of his life. Abbott had s nt his ten~t:I~i~e · out J erger and .M cKeon proposals h was 1 entire life in what he cal d (state­ g role. sfwee~ nso would contmue to deny assistance run institutions," from th ime he m upstate ew York he committed to legal immigrants and would was put in a home for delinquent suicide in his cell. I doubt that grant sweeping authority to federal there will be many memorial cabinet secretaries to grant states' teenagers when he was 14. He services for him, but I want to requests to waive a variety of was imprisoned a few years later program rules (a provision known for writing a bad check, and when honor his memory here, and he was twenty killed another recommend that his brilliant book as the "super waiver"). ln inmate and was given an continue to be read by all those addition, Republican-backed indeterminate sentence. During struggling against our inhumane amendments were adopted in both subcommittees to impose tougher the next fifteen years he was put system of law and punishment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~uoctionsonfamil~sforfailing~ comply with TANF program rules. While we make every effort to provide a forum for those The subcommittee also approved a without a voice, STREETVIBES and the staff of technical amendment offered by THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION Representative Nancy Johnson (R­ FOR THE HOMELESS, is not CT) to allow funds in the bill to be responsible for statements, and do not necessarily used for "relationship" education endorse the opinions of the prisoners and skills programs for nonwhose writings are represented here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ married pregnant women and The Death of Jack Abbott ~==~~==============~~==='\ 1r expectant fathers. The bill already contains funds for programs that promote "healthy marriages." Among the Democratic amendments defeated by the contains news about the justice system and the Republican majority on the Ways writings of persons incarcerated in our and Means subcommittee were nation's jails and prisons. those to add $11.5 billion over five We are seeking subscribers who are willing to sponsor a years for child care services·, prisoner so they can receive STREETVIBES behind the walls. replace the caseload reduction Please sponsor someone on the Inside. credit under TANF with an A year's subscription costs $ 15. employment credit to reward states Send your comments and questions to streetvibes@juno.com for placing recipients in jobs; drop mall : STREETVIBES, 1506 Elm Street the 40-hour work requirement in Cincinnati, Ohio 4521 ~ the bill; and allow the transfer of Prisoners' News pr member of the North AmeriGan trut Ne"''paper Af,&oGiation '4pre,enti g over s;o &trut ne'la&papers throughout the United '5tate' and t:anada 5treefvibe · ----~"'"' . .:. . .!:. :. "'·'pea~ea&~.ora!_na,na . .!. ~~~.:..==.~~~~~~~~~- marriage promotion funds to programs that reduce poverty or provide child care services. Democratic amendments that failed in the Education and Workforce subcommittee include those to eliminate the "super waiver" provision from the bill; remove the legislation's 40-hour work requirement; count education and job skills training as work activities; and add an employment credit to reward states for lowering their welfare rolls and moving recipients into jobs. The Energy and Commerce Committee also took action on TANF reauthorization. On April 24, the full committee approved, by a 35 to 17 margin, legislation to extend for five years a $50 million­ per-year abstinence-only education program administered through TANF. Opponents of the legislation assert that there is no evidence to suggest that abstinence-only programs are more effective than those that include safe-sex instruction in reducing teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Democrats tried unsuccessfully to broaden the program to include safe sex instruction. The committee also approved, by voice vote, legislation to extend a provision in current welfare law that allows parents who have left TANF for work to retain their Medicaid eligibility for one year. Despite Democrats' desire to see the provision extended for five years (other provisions of the welfare law will be reauthorized for five years), the GOP-led committee approved just a one-year extension. The Energy and Commerce Committee-passed bills will be merged with legislation that comes out of the Ways and Means and Education and Workforce Committees. The committee's Social Security and Family Policy Subcommittee held a hearing on April 25 to examine how to best serve TANF recipients who face serious barriers to employment. At the hearing, Subcommittee Chair John Breaux (D-LA) expressed concerns about proposals to limit state flexibility and tighten TANF work requirements. Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Tom Carper (D­ DE) are still planning to introduce a reauthorization bill that closely resembles the President's proposal. Anti-poverty advocates have been lobbying hard against the measure, which appears to have lost some momentum - the proposal has gained no new cosponsors in recent weeks. Senators Paul Wellstone (D-MN) and John Corzine (D-NJ) also plan to introduce a comprehensive TANF reauthorization bill in the next few weeks. �i R EE TVIBES M ay 2002 Increase Access to School Meals for Homeless Children from the FRAC website The USDA issued a memo updating 1992 guidance on homeless children's participation in the school meals programs. This update brings the school meals programs in line with recent changes in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which expands eligibility for services to homeless children in the education system. USDA's definition of a homeless child has been updated to include not only children living in shelters, but also children whose family is "doubled up" with another family because of loss of housing, children living in motels or campgrounds because of lack of adequate housing, and children awaiting foster care placement. The guidance allows school Page 9 officials to determine a homeless child eligible for free school meals based on documentation from the local educational agency liaison that the child is homeless. This documentation is in lieu of the free and reduced price meal application with income information that is usually submitted by the child's parent or guardian. The changes in the guidance mean that many more homeless children will be eligible for free breakfasts and lunches. Community Will Celebrate Memory of Reverend Maurice ''Mac'' Mccrackin The fifth annual Reverand Maurice Mccrackin "Mac" Day will be held on Saturday, June 8th, 2002 from noon until 6pm at Laurel Park on Ezzard Charles Dr. (near Linn Street opposite Saint Joseph Church) in the West End. In case of rain, the event will be held inside Saint Joseph Church, 745 Ezzard Charles Drive. Featured activities will include video ofMac at 12:00 noon, an Interfaith gathering at 12:15, open mic sharing of memories of Mac at 3:30 p.m. , live music, and information tables homelessness to the death penalty, representing local social service nuclear waste and prisoners' agencies, political groups, and rights. Groups representing these religious organizations. Also, there issues and more will have will be children's games, art, and information tables at the event. food. "Mac Day" is dedicated to The park is handicapped the principles he lived by. accessible. For more information, or to Rev. Maurice McCrackin inquire about volunteer (Mac) was perhaps Cincinnati's opportunities or for information on most prominent civil disobedient how groups can get involved in for nearly a half century. He Mac Day, contact Brian Garry at followed his own conscience in 221-5537 or Reverand Phil Seher at Saint Joseph Church, 381-4526, causes ranging from anti-war demonstrations, civil rights and extension 13. ART, MUSIC, AND WRITING OPPORTUNITIES! Peaslee Neighborhood Center, 215 East 14th Street, hosts lots of arts opportunities for adults and children to learn skills such as playing a steel drum or piano, photography, making mosaic art, or writing. Any resident of Over­ the-Rhine or the West End is w e.b:m e ! AU sessions are FREE, including instruction and materials. No previous artistic experience necessary. Contact BrendaZ. at621-55 14, or peaslee_ bz@hotmail.com for more information. OTR Steel Drum Band Learn how to play the steel drums in a nine-week introductory series for adults. Parents may bring their children (age 9 and up) to learn together if they like. Participants will learn steel drum technique, rhythms, and how to read music. "I Dave A Dream": Community Mosaic Art Park Bench Project Community members are coming together to build a large mosaic art park bench to be placed in a neighborhood park. People of all ages may drop by buddy splace, 13th and Vine, Tuesday- Friday, 2­ 7 p.m., to try their hand at learning the mosaic tiling process. Photography Teenagers and young adults are invited to learn basic photography skills through introductory courses provided at Peaslee. Call the Writing Any young person in the Greater Cincinnati area may submit poems and/or articles via email at peaslee_bz@hotmail.com for publication in Streetvibes. Content should be related to homelessness, social justice, or poverty-related issues. Writing sessions are held Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for young people wanting to learn journalism skilJs and at 7:00 p.m. for anyone wanting to open up creative chan­ nels in writing. "Rhyme-n-Cbat," an. informal group of young people, gathers on the first Friday ofeach month, 5:30 -7:00 p.m. Call For New Arts Advisory Committee Members! The Arts Advisory Committee is looking for representatives from the neighborhood and the arts and business community. This committee helps to formulate the direction and development of Peaslee's arts programs. Looking For New Staff Peaslee is also looking for new music instructors for the steel drum band and for the mallets program. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in teaching music in a fun and rewarding setting. Anyone interested in any of these opportunities, contact Brenda Z. at Peaslee, 215East14th Street, Writers Unlimited is looking for writings to display at the annual Over-The-Rhine Community Festival Saturday, August 31 2002 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Washington Park Call Judi Mendriski for more information at Peaslee Neighborhood Center 513-621-5514 Deadline: July 10 A Woman Cursing by Mike H enson I see a woman cursing in the street. She has thrust herself into the crush of traffic and a car, to miss her, must cross lanes. The driver, wary, shrinks under her heat but she ignores him; she has other fish to fry. She curses loudly and without shame and the young men of the sidewalk tum to watch her. The prostitute eyes her from her comer perch. A clerk worries from the window of the Jordan Market and, in the schoolyard, a nun folds her arms and stares. Perhaps she mumbles a prayer for the woman who is large; she ripples with anger. I cannot hear her curses but they buzz against the glass of my car. I cannot see the target of her curses, but I see the hand she points and the firm set of her foot. I see the narrowed wince of her eyes and the path of the curses down her tongue and off her lips and into the street and into the solemn ears of children. I see the roped muscles tighten at her neck and the twine of the nerves beneath her hatchmark brows. And I am sad to see her so. Sad that the world can be so raw. Sad that the air of the street has filled with poison. Sad that the masters of television mock her poverty. Sad that the honey is leaving the combs of the earth. Sad that the milk of the world is tainted with salt. Sad that this path is cluttered with stones. Sad that there is so much pain ­ You, me, and this woman on the street. Ah, God, I cannot lift such sadness! �lREETVIBES May 2002 NICARAGUA :fighters funding and training resistance to take back power in By Jon Gambrell Oxford Press On top of a hill overlooking Managua, the capital city ofNicaragua, a silhouette of assassinated opposition leader Augusto Sandino looks down at a multi-million dollar hotel. If the silhouette could turn a little to the left, it would be looking down into Nicaragua. These Contras began hit­ and-run attacks into Nicaragua from Honduras. For the next ten years, shelling and fighting took the lives of many innocent people until finally, the FSLN lost power to the opposition party, the Partido Liberal Constitucionalista (PLC) during the 1990 elections. As soon as President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro took power, the United States formalized relations with Nicaragua and began funding disarmament programs. However, the economy of Nicaragua was in shambles from the ten years of war, coupled with the remaining loans the Samosa - family had taken out prior to their loss of power. "The debt that Nicaragua now has is more political than economic," said Carlos Pacheco, an economist for the Institute of the poor barrios, the heart of a country in shambles. 80 percent of the population is in poverty and rampant corruption has taken its toll on this small Central American country, which is now under the control of World Bank and International Monetary Fund (JMF) structural adjustment programs. This was the focus of a group from Miami University as they traveled to Nicaragua this Spring Break to study the effect World Bank and 1MF policies are having on the country. Under the sponsorship of "Witness for Peace," a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., the delegation examined the roots of the economic troubles in Nicaragua and the way United States' foreign policy influences Nicaragua. Miami University sophomore Ross Meyer led the delegation. "Going on a Witness for Peace trip to Guatemala last year really affected me," Meyer said, " and I wanted to bring that valuable and positive experience to more people." The first thing one notices upon arriving in Nicaragua is the revolution. It screams at you from murals, art work and the statue of a peasant farmer holding an AK-47 in one of the main squares. The inscription at the base of the statue reads: " Only the workers and farmers will go until the end." However, it appears that the revolution is over. After the fall of the Samosa family in 1979, the Frente Sandinista de Liberaci6n Nacional (FSLN) took power and began social benefit programs. Much to the ire ofthe United States, the FSLN accepted loans from the Soviet Union, which prompted President Ronald Reagan to begin FEATURES IMF and the World Bank. These plans call for a privatization of state-run companies and a shift from subsidence farming to export­ only crops. "All national sovereignty is being lost to an era of globalization," Pacheco said, " Our farmers began growing coffee as an export crop, in line with structural adjustment policies. However, when we tried to sell our crop this year, we found no buyers, since Vietnam (also under 1MF structural adjustment plans) had a better season. So our farmers were stuck with a crop they couldn't even eat." Page 10 government is simply not responsible for the poor." However, during the recent presidential election campaign in Nicaragua, the United States Ambassador made a campaign appearance with E nrique Bolanos Geyer, leader of the PLC. When asked about the FSLN, the The structural Don Augusto Castillo Obregon adjustment plans have also gutted the central government embassy response was simple. "The Sandinista ruling class did of Nicaragua. Nicaragua's health not represent the society," she said. indicators are now some of the The people ofNicaragua worst in the hemisphere. have a different opinion. Don More than half of all child Augusto Castillo Obregon is a deaths in Nicaragua are campesino, a farmer three hours caused by preventable away from the capital. He lives diseases. Nicaragua has simply, with his wife and children one ofthe highest rates of in a village called El Regadio. teen pregnancy in the While he does not have many of Americas. "All of this is a part the luxuries of city living, he is very active politically. Shot three of the debt agenda," he times during the Contra revolution, said, " Through Don Augusto now runs "La dehumanizing the market Union," a farmers ' cooperative in and placing a price on El Regadio. everything, there is no "I am a Sandinista," Don value on the environment Augusto said proudly, showing a or human life." mural of Sandino on the side of his The United States government has a different home, "I love and defend my party Carlos Pacheco. an economist for the opinion on the problems in and am thankful because now I Institute ofInternational Studies in have my land and my daughters are Nicaragua. "There is Nicaragua. incredible corruption in the studying in school." Under the Sandinista party, International Studies in Nicaragua, Nicaraguan government," Nicaragua was able to change the said Robin Meyer, the new «This power is held by the G-7 illiteracy rate from 70 percent political counselor at the United countries and is used as a means down to just 10 percent. Under the States Embassy in Managua, "Over for dominance." If the debt, which now is in $300 million of aid was lost due to structural adjustment plan, Nicaragua has cut that part of its outright fraud. Nicaragua's the neighborhood of $6.5 billion, was evenly distributed among the citizens of Nicaragua, each person would owe international lenders about $1,400. The average yearly wage of a Nicaraguan worker is $430. The Nicaraguan governrnent, on average, pays about $225 million in debt-service payments a year. In order to come up with the money, Nicaragua has started following . structural adjustment plans laid out by the A home in El Regadio, Nicaragua �.CREETVIBES May 2002 FEATURES debt service social spending and illiteracy is at before basic 30 percent and continuing to rise. needs of a In El Regadio, the spirit of people." the people surpasses many of the "As monetary disadvantages. Working U.S. citizens with locals, Don Augusto assisted in a program to bring electricity to we should be the village a few years ago, which better was a mammoth task in itself. The informed about community literally had to run the debt and trade rhetoric, as electric line from nearby Esteli all opposed to the way to El Regadio, which is being an 800 about thirty minutes away. The pound community is also working on bringing irrigation to all of the economic gorilla on top surrounding farmland. While this of the community has achieved much on Americas." its own, Don Augusto realizes the country will continue to need And so the silhouette foreign aid and investment. of Sandino still "If the IMF and the World Bank stopped loaning us money, sits at the top of the hill in our country would die," he said, School Children in El Regadio "But in my opinion, 1 would ask Managua, you to pressure the IMF to overlooking the great disparity in wealth. The silhouette used to be continue loaning us money, but without the structural adjustment backlit at night, but now it vanishes conditions." into the darkness as night falls As the delegation returned across a country tom from years of back to the United States, they had war and economic struggle. There more emotions than answers. " I is still light, though, from the was struck by the strength of the people. people," Randy Wilson, a junior "We don't want war," Don interdisciplinary studies major, Augusto said, "We are lovers of said, "Even though they went peace. That doesn't mean that we through revolution and 10 years of won't continue to struggle." Only war, they still have so much hop~·\ ~he workers and the farmers will go "The experience was , ~until the end. SIDEBAR: Miami University, in wonderful," Meyer said, " It was pretty emotionally devastating, but part ofthe $40 million it has still inspiring. I think a lot of invested in diversified bonds, owns people gained important World Bank bonds. The experiences out of it and are University, which has over $200 motivated to bring them back to million in a variety of endowments displayed disgust over the the campus." and investments, holds a small discovery. "I think it is our Miami University professor percentage in the World Bank. responsibility as students and people not to be supporting hurtful and Oxford resident Rick "Basically, the University has about 5/ 100 of one $750,000 fund, institutions that don't work for Momeyer shared the same which equals out to about $375 feel ings. "The warmth and development," said Miami student generosity of a people who have invested in the World Bank," said Randy Wilson. Nicaraguan Beverly Thomas, assistant treasurer delegation leader Ross Meyer suffered endlessly is incredible," echoed Wilson's response. "I Momeyer said, "From the opposite of Miami University. While this end of the spectrum, you have U.S. represents only a fraction of a think it is a very important issue and international policy placing holding in the World Bank, several for both students and parents," Meyer said, " We [Miami University] are investing in an institution contributing to flawed policies that exploit the . poor and it is our responsibility as investors to ..;.tgoiw.!l~t.;.a denounce this." The fund that ~~"'lilliiFN-";~i19'!"1: contains the holding in the World Bank is being managed by an investor independent from the • University. Phntn 1\ ' lrn limmv f..lpnfh Page 11 Witness for Peace is a politically independent, grassroots organization. We are people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Our mission is to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing US policies and corporate practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. We stand with people who seekjustice . For more information on Witness for Peace and upcoming delegationas to Central America and the Caribean, visit the website at: www.witnessforpeace.org �f REETVIBES May 2002 Page 12 Bush's Central American Free Trade Agreement Exploits the Poor, Benefits the Rich (NAFTA), which the United States signed with Mexico and Canada in 1994, CAFTA by Jennifer DeLury, Witness for prioritizes the profits of foreign Peace International Team, investors over labor rights, Nicaragua environmental standards, and "I will rise again in the other measures that would benefit people," said Salvadoran pacifist Central America's poor majority. Archbishop Oscar Romero before CAFTA requires member he was shot and killed. The man countries to use their who ordered his murder was " comparative advantage" to trained by U.S. taxpayer compete in the global market. dollars-at the U.S. Army's For poor Central American School of the Americas. This countries, as for most other poor countries around the world, the March 24, 2002, twenty-two only "comparative advantage" S) years after Romero's \~ as sasination, President Bush and they have to offer is a cheap, l, Secretary of State Colin Powell desperate labor force and l; ~till be in El Salvador, where they vulnerable natural resources. And -\'°"~ will see thfttthe Archbishop's just as NAFTA did in Mexico, R prophacy was true: his CAFTA will certainly lead to ? committment to standing with the more exploitation of poor workers ~<J.. poor and spealcing out against and the environment in Central inj ustice has risen again in the \.- America, while benefitting the ~ multinational corporations whose people of Central America. Thousands of protesters ~\J profit margin depends on cheap ~ from around the region wttttake labor and lax environmental standards. ~ to the streets in San Salvador Like NAFTA, and the :->-- ~e last week in March to celebrate the legacy of Romero hemisphere-wide Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which is and oppose the signing of the Central America Free Trade also currently under negotiation, Agreement (CAFTA), an CAFTA's terms of trade are designed to prioritize export crops agreement designed to bring NAFTA-like trade rules to over local food production. This Central America,\Like the North destroys local markets for basic American Free Tfltde Agreement food goods and threatens the food security of small and impoverished nations like E l Salvador and Nicaragua. Although this transition to export­ oriented agriculture is already happening throughout Central America, CAFTA will help accelerate the process. Central American countries that further shift their agricultural production to export crops will be more dependent on food imports from the north, and more vulnerable to the fluctuating world market prices that they will receive for their export commodities. Central American small and medium-sized farmers do not have access to private financing or state subsidies, and therefore will not be able to compete with large corporate farms from the north. Unable to make a living on their land, these farmers will be forced to emigrate to cities or to other countries­ like the United States- in search of work. Those who oppose CAFTA also reject the undemocratic process through which "free trade" agreements are signed. In the aftermath of September 11, the House of Representatives narrowly voted to grant President Bush "Fast Track" authority, which would allow NPR senior correspondent Juan Williams interviewed conservative authors Bernard Goldberg and William McGowan, former journalists who argue that media tilt to the left. For the second part of the series, rather than featuring progressive media critics with an opposing view, NPR instead chose to interview two media veterans- former Time magazine editor aud columnist Jack White and former CBS News producer and executive Ed Fouhy- who were introduced with the observation that "most journalists reject the idea that their reporting is biased in any direction." Goldberg and McGowan offered examples from their books (Goldberg's "Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News" and McGowan's " Coloring the News: How Crusading for Diversity Has Corrupted American Journalism"). McGowan argues that efforts to increase diversity in the newsroom have led " to racial and ethnic and gender hypersensitivity and to a kind of narrow political orthodoxy," while Goldberg offered his claim that mainstream media tend to label conservatives more often than liberals. The following day, White and Fouhy were asked to respond to Goldberg and McGowan's charges. But Fouhy's first statements suggested that he believed there was some truth to the conservative critique, offering his recollection of a staffer at CBS News who referred to gun owners as ''right­ wing nuts. " While the experience and insight of long­ time journalists is valuable, neither guest presented what would be described as a progressive alternative to the previous day's conservative voices. White explained that public opinion about affirmative action was much more complicated than simple "pro" and "con" labels often assigned ~ NPR's One­ Sided "Liberal Media" Debate Reprinted with permission from FAIR-L National Public Radio's Morning Edition recently devoted two segments (3/20/02, 3/21/02) to allegations ofmedia bias. Morning Edition host Bob Edwards explained that "one of the most common complaints about major news media, including NPR, is that they' re not objective- that they either lean too far to the right or too far to the left." Though the program cited a poll suggesting that both complaints are believed by substantial numbers of Americans (36 percent see a rightward slant, vs. 46 percent who see a tilt to the left), only one of those points of view got a ful l hearing on NPR. In the first installment, Bush to negotiate trade agreements such as CAFTA without consulting the general population or considering input from Congress. The Senate is expected to follow suit as soon as next month. Under pressure from leaders representing the most powerful government to the north, Central American heads of state have little choice but to become accomplices in an agreement­ signing process that is anything but transparent. The inherently undemocratic "Fast Track" authority would help further a trade negotiation process that takes place behind closed doors, where corporate interests triumph over the needs of the world's poor. Labor, environmental and citizen/consumer groups will be barred from the negotiations, while the door is open to corporations and lobbyists. The Bush administration has declared that the signing of CAFTA within the next year and a half is a top priority, and Bush will take advantage of his "Fast Track" authority, if it is granted, to further this goal. By creating a Central-North American "free trade" bloc, the Bush administration hopes to have more clout with which to Free Trade.... cont. on page 17 by the media, while Fouhy recalled that over the last 30 years, "the most controversial issue was abortion, and it was generally seen as either a pro­ choice or a pro-life point of view. The fact is, of course, that many Americans are profoundly troubled by either point of view, but I never heard that expressed in the newsroom." These recollections do little to answer the claims of liberal media bias offered by McGowan and Goldberg. At one point, White did offer the beginnings of a progressive media critique when he explained that the main media bias " is toward the status q uo. It tends to downplay the complaints made by people who are seen as being on the fringe of the political spectrum, especially those on the left." Unfortunately, National Public Radio's truncated debate over media bias was a good example of that problem. Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression ofthe views and opinions ofour readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those ofthe Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �lREETVIBES EL) ITO RIAL SECTl()N May 2002 Local Housing Response to Trust Fund: proposed The Solution to settlement of racial profiling Cincinnati's Housing Crisis lawsuit The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati wishes to congratulate all those involved in the collaborative process used to draft a resol ution to the racial profiling lawsuit. We emphasize, however, to the community of Cincinnati and to the local and national media, that the boycott called by the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati continues. We urge community leaders to take immediate steps to address all areas of our demands - to end social and economic apartheid, to support and enforce civil and human Rights, and to enact City government and election reform, as well as to restore public accountability of the police. The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati will be studying in detail the following documents to determine, should the recommendations contained therein be successfully implemented and sustained over time, whether or not any of our demands will in fact be met Proposed Agreement on Cincinnati Police Division Operations: City of Cincinnati & United States Department of Justice Collaborative Agreement: City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Black United Front, American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, Fraternal Order of Police We would like to point out that the immediate situation in Cincinnati remains that the current Citizens Police Review Panel is not meeting, and there is no effective discipline system in place to deal with police misconduct. We stand by our demand for the resignation of the Chief of the Cincinnati Police, Thomas Streicher. We also point out that several lawsuits against the city have not yet been resolved, and that the families of the victims of police violence of recent years have yet to be compensated or offered any justice. The Mayor of Cincinnati still refuses to meet with any of the organizations calling for boycotts and sanctions to resolve these issues. by Meghan Clarke The gap between the number of affordable housing units and the number of people needing them has created a housing crisis for the low-income people across the United States. According to the 2000 Census, owning an affordable home or even finding a safe and affordable rental unit is financially unattainable for close to half of American families. A lack of safe affordable housing has an enormous impact on American families, especially in Cincinnati where 25,000 unduplicated cases of homeless individuals were reported in 2000. Families with high housing costs are forced to choose between paying for housing and putting food on the table. Low-income families seeking stable housing have not benefited from the expanding U.S. economy. Inadequate wages, high living costs, and housing shortages have made it extremely difficult for low-income and working families to purchase homes. According to the Center for Community Change, in Cincinnati, an extremely low­ income household, earning 30% of the Area Median Income of $61 ,000 can afford monthly rent of no more than $458, while the Fair Market Rent for a two­ bedroom unit is $576. To make matters worse a worker in our area earning a Minimum Wage, $5. 15, must work 86 hours per week in order to afford a two­ bedroom unit at the area's Fair Market Rent. In fact, the Housing Wage in Cincinnati is $11.08, 215% of the present Minimum wage. In today's economy the leading solution for the affordable housing crisis is the establishment and implementation of Housing Trust Funds. Housing Trust Funds are public funds established by legislation, ordinance or resolution to receive specific revenues, which can only be spent on housing. The key characteristic of a Housing Trust Fund is that it receives on-going revenues from dedicated sources of funding such as taxes, fees or loan repayments. Housing Trust Funds have demonstrated that when government makes a commitment to address critical housing needs, the on-going dedicated source ofrevenue allows for more intelligent planning to address housing needs and for improved proposals submitted by the housing industry in an effort to effectively use existing resources. Having funds that are committed to housing over time is crucial because housing advocates have long had to compete with numerous social causes to secure dwindling public resources for affordable housing. A Hamilton County Housing Trust Fund will make Page 13 monies available to communities to rehabilitate existing substandard housing, allowing parents to raise happy, healthy chi ldren and giving children the opportunity to reach their full potential. Housing Trust Funds do more than build new homes: they help communities create new jobs in the construction industry and increase the property tax base. By using a U.S. Department of Commerce model, it is estimated that investing $5 billion directly into housing construction would result in 184,300 new jobs. Local Housing Trust Funds leverage an average of $9 from private, non-profit, and governmental sources for every $1 spent by the Housing Trust Fund. Housing Trust Funds are so important because without more financial resources, the need for safe affordable housing will not go away anytime soon. For many private developers, building affordable units without some type of low-interest loan or grant is not financially feasible. Housing Trust Funds help by providing the funds housing developers need to make their projects affordable. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is undertaking an initiative to advocate for a countywide housing trust fund as a means of creating affordable housing opportunities in desperately needed in Cincinnati. This will be done in conjunction with the Center for Community Change and the National Coalition for the Homeless and in cooperation with the County Commissioners. "This company is awash in cash precisely because you CAN'T afford shoes for y our kids." �fR EE TVIBES May 2002 Page 14 We Are Here by George Herrell It has never ceased to amaze me, That our existence could be ignored by so many. Or perhaps it's disbelief, That within the graffiti covered buildings of "Over-the-Rhine" Any goodness could exist! - --===--­ Or is it doubt hat God - loving, good - ~ hearted people, ) streers­ Could share these trash stre with those Filled with such clearly apparent evil and those who Only for now have fallen by the wayside. But the God we love, The same God you praise each Sunday in your "Multi-Million Dollar Temples" Teachings tell us not to discriminate! He has told us not to judge others who are plagued by misfortunes. But instead to make the way clear so that they may someday, Repent the wages of their sins. For the precious blood that was shed on "Calvary" Forgives ALL of them. Yes, We Are Here.... Dying To Live and Living To Die by James Hardison Some people live and some people die never knowing the reason why some people are always ready to take but never willing to give that's just the way it goes in this world on which we live sometimes you have to be willing to make a few sacrifices · when you want something really bad even though giving up something you love might make you sad once it's all over, when everything is said and done and there's nothing left to say you realize it was worth the price you had to pay sometimes life can be so unfair and sometimes life can be really great filled with things you love and things you hate the things that are on sale are not always what you want to buy when you' re dying to live and living to die Cincinnati Riot a-k-a ''Civil Unrest 2001'' by George Herrell ace" but if that is true, Is it the neighborhoods in which we live? Would simple relocation solve the problem? Is it the seasons? Do the seasons in this city differ so much from any other? Could leaving it barren and desolate be the answer? Would that be fair to everyone? To entirely elimminate the existance of a city? The Military Few and the Civilian Many by Eric Edward Johansson Democracy crumbles in a military world From top-down do the orders trickle But when upon military duty Did we create a democratic process for the men: The Grunt Council Hated we were to rise up and equal the soldier many to the officer few In democracy we talk much about the people But to their disservice do the orders come To obey and conform with rules from above The people's voice obscured by unquestioning obedience Policies ill-reflective of American principles; ashamed of my leaders am I For if we are truly a people imbued with compassion Then why act only in the interest of elites? As the many suffer only to guard lavish pinnacles of power Principles ignored, deconstructed to make room for profit As cities crumble, prisons flourish, liberty diminishes and wars abound The laws are clear. They were created by the state And are enforced by every city within its boundaries. And yet unlike any other to the youth who must Why must we pay such high a price live here, It's swiftly becomming known as "The City Of So only the military and elite may prosper? For if truly a compassionate nation then Death" Why not strive to care for the civilian many? For it is by their sweat that elites ravage global Fathers are locked away for minor crimes, fruit Mothers are denied adequate assistance, Forcing them g hours, Perpetual people of poverty, malnourished and Destroying th' familys s cture. under-educated Leaving children to children for Some without shelter to protect; some without companionship, and guidance to survive within this " Concrete medicine to cure And all our nation has come to represent in the Jungle" world Is a continuation of dominance Those who claim to "Protect and Serve" are T he prosperous few over the downtrodden nurtured with the words, many "ZERO TOLERANCE" Many takin~ it the step beyond to, If all men were created equal ZERO UNDERSTANDING! , and ZERO Then why are the fruits of the world distributed COMPASSION! so unequally Serving only to draw their paychecks! How about a fresh perspective in equality? And Protecting only their pensions! Knowing only the brotherhoods of "Them" and For if the top 3 percent control 70 percent of resources "Us". Then they should be responsible for 70 percent And yet the leaders claim no knowledge of the of revenue problems, Why only the few, the military few, while Which so obviously exist. civilians are neglected and No one could be so blind! jailed American principles failing the many, and Simply count the years on our headstones succeeding only those on top between "Born" and " Died" Restore Am.e rican principles: Of the people, Put away your foolish pride. For the People, By the People Let's heal our wounds. Before the judgement day in this city comes too To rise up the civilian many to equal the military few soon!!!!!!! Awaken, unify, rise and take America back, back to the people!! �fREETVIBES May 2002 A Parable for Our Time by Charles Schott Said the First World to the Third World: "Give me you land, your water, and your natural resources, and 1 will develop you." "But we don't want to be developed," answered the rainforest Native. "We love our lands and waters, and the forests are our homes." " Ah," replied the East Coast investment banker, "you're just ignorant Indians. You don't n he value of a dollar. Why, i the ace of your jungles we' ll giv ou shopping malls, high-rise buildings, automobiles, maybe even a mi litary base if you're good." "No, no," replied the Native. " Our lands and waters are precious to us. The Earth is our Mother. To destroy Her is to destroy us. " " Umph, we have ways to deal with you then, you stubborn Indians. We'll come in and take your lands, and we'll make you slaves in our government factories, on our pl tations, and in our Prepare Page 15 The Honor Of A Man by George Herrell by Edna Smith I am a black man who bas been It's true, we are all governed ~by other black men, through laws made by man ~t I should be proud of my When the truth is known African" heritage. there's one ultimate plan. I do not dispute that. But my "sooner" blood contains True, we have earthly parents that of several races. yet we' re all fathered by one And words of the only true book Do I disclaim all but that of the are coming to pass, it has begun. "Dark Continent"? What of my "Native American" Daughters turning on their Mothers ancestors? friends hurting one another Were they any less honorable? coveting neighbors possessions Should I deny that part of me? a man killing his brothers. Are they any less a part of who I am? The Earth falling steadily apart rivers and oceans unclean If I should have "Colonial" Mankind getting lazier ancestors, :::: ::::~Ys::~dm~~';; ,if I~::~dn::::1 : f b e ~e.} we must answer for our wrongs ( Many of us will be too Late to hear the golden song. We must deny the temptation that will lead us to hell Give in completely to our Father He will make us well. Learn that true compassion is truly heaven sent And using it very wisely to go where Jesus went. " we w d rather die than give u omes and see our Mother Earth destroyed," said the Native. "The Creator made our .. Let go of the worldly goods lands, and His Spirit is in the you can't take with you anyway animals of the forest, and these Don't sweat the small stuff animals are our brothers and Up to the Lord always pray. sisters. The plants and trees give us shelter and provide our food and He' ll always keep providing medicine. No, these things were exactly what we need given to us, and we cannot sell Quench you when you're thirsty them away. They are our children, When you're hungry, he~ ll feed. ands our children's children." "Enough of this," growled Start now this very minute the investment banker. "Out of the for our Father gives us a soul way! You can't stand in the way of It is now time to prepare progress. " to let him take control. Just then , a cloud enveloped the banker, and his It may happen tomorrow bank, and the building it was It may happen tonight standing in. It was a mushroom So lets ask our father cloud, and it turned the city into to help make us right. windy, howling crater as set off by a Third World Spirit that bandoned placed a device in building. This was the spirit of the ancient Earth and her children, the For information Spirit of the primeval forests, of on submitting the timeless mountains, and of the your poetry to deep, dark flowing waters with STREETVIBES their reflected stars. This is the Spirit that call 421 -7803 speaks to us now. When will we learn? Ghetto Life (part 2) by George Herrell "The Woman" A night of pleasure, nine months of pain, four days in the hospital with so much shame. You regret that night, but it's just too late, you've grown to hate. As he starts growing, and you're too tired to think, you run to the bar to get a quick drink. You stay at this place most of the night, and then you come home to argue and fight. You beat your son because of his father 's half, and you say you are a woman, " Ha", that's a laugh. Wo that make their blood any less a part of my own? Can I then claim "Purity" to any one race? More pride in one over the other? I was born in America, not Africa, not England! I am a Man born of Mankind. Nationalities are unimportant to me. Night/Bright The land to which you are born does not make you any more or less honorable. The color of your skin does not make you any more or less honorable. The hon.or of a man comes from within his heart!!! If I only walk about at night, Influence by Joseph Norris (submitted by Robert Mannasa) Drop a pebble in the water And it's ripples reach out far~ And the sunbeams dancing on them May reflect them to a star. Give a smile to someone passing, Thereby making his morning glad; It may greet you in the evening When your own heart may be sad. Do a deed of simple kindness; Though it's end you may not see. It may reach like widening ripples, Down a long eternity. by Mark Fries, G.E.D. Tutor ­ Urban Appalachian Council wear sunglasses even if it's not bright, or look too long into the blinding sun, 1' 11 have trouble seeing the good or bad I could have done. But if there are shadows and enough light, I can navigate the streets and choose to do what's right. I need shadows for my depth of fie ld, to understand the wisdom of what my thoughts can yield. To keep me from living in the panic of inky black, or blinded by too much light shed upon the facts, 1 need both light and dark. I need the contrast to make things clear. I need dark and light to see both far and near. �fREETVIBES May 2002 Page is a wonderful Palestinian man whose family lives in the occupied city ofRamallah, a Haitian man, a refugee and orphan whose parents were killed by police, an Indian Over-the-Jordan woman who became a human This has been a very tough rights attorney, and an Israeli year for our city, our country and woman who helps children with peace-loving, innocent people lost limbs from war. My beloved around the world. Right now we told me of her Masters thesis about have young Americans dying, Rwanda and the horrible genocide which I'm sure they don' t want to there. I've always considered do, and killing, which I'm equally myself rather a liberal and a sure they don't want to do. humanist until this angel of a Because some evil people could woman came into my life, willing somehow justify killing innocent to change the world, with the Americans who committed no heart, the drive, and the tools to do crime but to go to work one it. September morning. Tuesday evening, April 16 This same year we have all at approximately 8:00 p.m. my seen Israeli tanks destroying Palestinian villages. These attacks girlfriend was returning from work downtown to her home in Clifton. are in response to a people so Her only crime was to go to work desperate that not only the act of suicide is understood and accepted one April morning when she but even condoned. It is condoned became the victim of a hate crime herself While she was driving on by mothers and fathers of eighteen McMickenjust north of Liberty, year old girls whose only future as near the Free Store Food Bank an they see it, is martyrdom and their ' African American youth stepped only goal is to kill as many "oppressors" as they can in the act. off the curb in broad daylight and with his best impression of a major However we see it on television, few of us could point out on a map league pitcher, threw an object where the Golan Heights, the Gaza from close range directly at her unprotected bead. She ducked, as Strip or the West Bank are located. the object slammed not six inches Maybe half of us know simply its from where her head had been. some place Over the Jordan. Looking up and hearing shouts as I meet her during the civil eight to twelve youths began unrest last year here in Cincinnati. surrounding her car, she hit the We met at a mutual friend's house accelerator and ran through a red during the curfew. The party was light risking her life, in fear for her for my birthday because my local life. watering hole had to close at The object turned out to be 8:00p.m. We talked for hours as an egg. How ironic that the she shyly told me of recently universal symbol of fertility and getting her Masters degree in birth, a luxury food item in many International Relations after many of the world, should be used parts hard years ofstruggle. And I fell in as a weapon to destroy the liberal love. That week she went to ideas of such a beautiful person in Reverend Shuttlesworth's of the Free Store. front congregation in North Avondale to It is now both of our fears hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's that from this day on we will see son speak of peace and to give her the color of someone's skin before support to the community there we see the true person. 'this morning the death of Timothy incident in Over-the-Rhine makes Thomas. Since then I have met many me pray that Over-the- Jordan did of her college friends. Among them not start with an egg. Death of Liberalism 1 2 3 4 California Struggles Over Open Air Shelter by Robert Norse Santa Cruz's Coral Street Open Air Shelter Campground bas been unfairly maligned and the record needs to be corrected. Ken Cole, the Homeless Services Center director of Santa Cruz ' who has abandoned a former activist role in Seattle in favor of grant-seeking service-provider in Santa Cruz was not present when the Open Air Shelter thrived (1994-5). It was open to all the homeless and not just a select few. It saved lives and, though crowded, noisy, underfunded, and treated like an undesireable dirt poor relative by the Homeless Community Resource Center next door, it was a relatively successful experiment, which received virtually no funding from the City. The Citizens Committee for the Homeless under Paul Lee Paul Pfotenhauer, Paul Merceau, and Deryl Darling essentially abandoned it. The CCH abandoned their promises to the campers organization, the Save Our Shelters group. Councilmembers Kennedy and Rotkin moved to close it after a heavy rain. It did collect overflow of homeless people driven out of San Francisco under the neo­ fascist "Matrix" policies of Mayor Frank Jordan. It did have folks who drank, took drugs, were loud, etc. But it served as an anchor for folks during the day, a place where they could keep their pets and belongings. NO ONE DIED THERE. But after Rotkin, Kennedy, and CCH ordered the camp dispersed, half ) 10 @ 25 a dozen to a dozen homeless people, forced to live in unsafe conditions, did die. Homeless activist Dan Hopkins called Rotkin and Kennedy "murderers" for their role in this suppression of homeless activism and self­ empowerment. It did not have the "clean image" that Camp Paradise had, but it served far more people. It is important that the false negative history of this camp be corrected. There are documentaries such as "Campground" and other videos as well as many hours of interviews and tapes from Free Radio Santa Cruz's Bathrobespierre's Broadsides show that attest to the value of Coral Street Open Air Shelter, in spite of all the lies spread by its critics-including the so-called service providers who watched it. The writer can be contacted at: rnorse@hotmail.com Story, Editorial and Art Submission Deadline for the JUNE,2002 edition of STREETVIBES is Monday, MAY 13th. Answers to April Crossword 5 Across 1. Sylvia Plath's The _ _ __. 9 7. Be Obliged. i - - . , . . - 4 - - 4 - - - - - - - 8. Costly Shirt Brand. 10. King's Jurisdiction. 12. Sing like Bing. 14. Dual Overhead Cam. 16. This Publication. 20. Big Bitter. 21. In Re: ---+----+----+--~--' 22. What Steve Roach could have done with bis gun. 23. Employ 24. Look out Below 7 16 5 Down 1. Enemy of Moose and Squirrel. 2. Ram's S.O. 3. Othello or Juliet. 4. Editor of 13 Down. 5. Arizona 6. Big Bird. 9. Emptied. 11. Wind-deposited silt. 13. Draft animals. 15. _ Scan - a medical image. 16. General chicken. 17. Unit of length (Hispanic) about a meter. 18. Units of a shelter's size. 19. Bait 22. Hebrew 3rd person pronoun �ti I J rl, fREETVIBES May 2002 my mother had a black boyfriend. Little did those people know that it was my mothers boyfriend who filled the role of father that a white coward left in his haste to abandon by Anonymous my mother, sister and me. No, Written during last years Civil they didn't see his goodness, only Unrest his skin. We eventually moved The curfew is a lonely from Norwood to Bond Hill where place for those of us who are I attended grade school. Living in spending it reflecting on what this Swifton, race never seemed an crisis means to us, to our issue to me. The common neighborhoods and to our was poverty, denomjnator relationships with members of generally speaking. My friends other races. This somber loneliness found me in search of a were not black or white~ they were simply friends. As my and my place to share my thoughts with sister's friendshlps developed, we other concerned citizens. When I regularly found ourselves in found the Cincinnati Enquirer Avondale, Evanston~ Walnut Hills, internet bulletin board, I thought and Roselawn. Ironically, perhaps someone would emerge we moved to Roselawn eventually who was seeking the meaning and healing that I find myself in search because I bad reported to my of tonight. Instead all I found there mother that I was uncomfortable in was more hate and finger pointing. school because I was the only white person in my fourth-grade Granted I did not read every entry. class at St. Agnes. Thus, I can still hope there are Tonight I feel guilty th~t at people out there that desire the age ofeight, I'd somehow the positive reassurance I know developed a sense of racial Cincinnati is capable of I grew up in many different differences. Was it my experience in Norwood? Was it due to some but integrated Cincinnati subliminal programming from neighborhoods during the 1970's. society? It certainly wasn't based As the Cincinnati police have continued their irresponsibility and on anything my mother taught me. racial brutality over the last several (I'm sure you are familiar with the argument that children are only years, I've found myself very grateful for the diverse experience able to develop racist ideas if their my mother provided my sister and I parents espouse them)! In fact, she encouraged me to continue with as we grew up. My attending St. Agnes and explained upbringing, I think, has thankfully me that skin color is to a11owed me to understand black meaningless. I recall that the first outrage and fear in this city. racially-motivated comment that I At the young age of five, ever heard was other from other Norwood taught me about racism. children calling me n--r lover. My family was harassed because Time to Start Healing Page 17 Despite my mother's efforts, we moved to Roselawn so I could change schools. Living in Roselawn was a great experience. The neighborhood was integrated and the school was good. I was also introduced to a new "ethnic" group there, Jews. Just as I had learned to love gospel music from spending time in black homes, I also found Jewish customs fascinating. Roselawn was a true melting pot. In those days, there wasn't racial tension there nor was there the endemic poverty of Swifton. Looking back, I am nostalgic for the diversity that thrived there in the late 1970s. Once reaching middle-school age, I attended Walnut Hills High School where I continued to thrive on the integrated nature of the school. Not surprisingly, my sister ultimately taught in South Africa during the final days of Apartheid and I earned a Masters in International Relations and developed an expertise in ethnic conflict in the Great Lakes region of Africa. These days my mother can rest assured knowing that her girls will always be part of the solution based on the values she instilled in us from my earliest memories. As the current crisis has unfolded, I've been so tempted to return to Avondale to hear the message of black leaders and offer my hand in helping to heal this community. While I'd like to believe that the black communitys protest is solely aimed at the police department, I worry that every day relations between blacks and whites will suffer. Currently, I live in Pleasant Ridge. I chose this neighborhood as an adult because I'm not comfortable in the segregated communities that characterize Cincinnati's suburbs. I believe Pleasant Ridge has a lot in common with the Roselawn of the 1970s ~ children of all races play with one another and our community council is active and integrated etc, etc. But as I ventured out just before the curfew Friday, I worried that perhaps Pleasant Ridge would suffer the tensions that have characterized so many other parts of the city this week. The sight of Everybodys Music store all boarded up seemed to symbolize the loss oftolerance and understanding that the city has suffered. My question to the black readership of this [newspaper] bulletin board is: Are you offended when whites participate in events currently taking place in the black community? Do you think its patronizing for whites to feel they understand your plight at all? I don't want to offend anyone, but I feel a duty to be a part of the healing in this city. The one thfog I am sure of is that I can't truly understand anything by sitting in my house and avoiding the debate. I hoped when I attended Mr. Thomas' funeral that you will greet me like any other caring citizen there. God Bless. Free Trade .... Photographs by Jimmy Heath and Siusan Durst May 31 - June 23, 2002 Opening Reception May 31, 6- lOPM BASE ART GALLERY 1225 MAIN SI REET OVER-THE-RHINE (513) nl-2273 WNW.baseart.org chorus opposing all "free trade" agreements that do not promote cont. from page 12 the social and economic welfare of human beings as their central pursuade South American objective. Economic growth is countries-especially Argentina otherwise meaningless. In the and Brazil, who have voiced name ofRomero, we must commit concerns about the terms of such ourselves to opposing "Fast Track" "free trade" agreements- into and workjng towards international joining the FTAA trade agreements that strengthen Over 22 years ago, workers rights, protect the Archbishop Oscar Romero also said, "Let those who have a voice environment, prioritize the needs ofthe poor majority over the speak for the voiceless." profits of a handful of As thousands of Central corporations, and that are created Americans gather in prayer and through a participatory, transparent protest in El Salvador, let us in the and democratic process. north use our voices to join the Are you a dedic ated individual with a desire to educate the public about homelessness? Volunteer at Streetvibesl We need writers, editors, webpage updaters - any help you can p r ovide. Call 421- 7803 for more in formation. --- �'I fREETVIBES May 2002 Page 18 The key here is "responsibility". The lock is apathy or Bread and Circuses. The result is crime ridden streets. When a mother and by Jane Humane her children cannot stand at a bus thousands of buildings stand Here's the bad news fust. vacant we continue to tear into the stop without being shooting virgin earth and destroy the victims of other children's drug We are a civilization in decline. habitats of other creatures. Just like Rome right before its wars we still need the police. fall, we have degraded into "bread In Irish folk lore, the elves Prior to the Ice Age and circuses". That is what the or nature spirits ofan area are humans found cities in the caves ancient Roman Empire gave the referred to as the "Good People". in order to better survive. We banded together to protect one It is the term used to describe the idle masses in order to appease another from wild animals and regenerative and healing nature of them. They created the first the planet. This concept appears welfare dole and when that wasn't share food and responsibility in caring for the youth and the elders. in all variety ofethnic fairy tales. enough they started throwing Humans have thrived and now we Well, this is no fairy tale. The Christians to the lions to provide a no cost spectacle for the masses. have cities where food is plentiful people of this city need to work (check your comer's Wendy's, Star together and economic extortion Eventually, that wasn 't enough. Bucks or Soup Kitchen), via boycott is not the answer. Any These free but poverty dangerous wild animals are in of the able bodied men and stricken citizens were distracted women who are unemployed (and check for the most part and we and government subsidized. It wasn't until much later that they now fear each other. even those who are not) are gained enough spiritual guidance That is the crux ofour valuable members of society. We and conscious to realize what was dilemma here in Cincinnati. Fear can use screwdrivers, hammers and modem machines and happening. It was a huge mass of and intimidation rule. On the technology to fix up the ruined peoples of all races and ethnic surface it appears to be a racial buildings for businesses and backgrounds. division but it goes much deeper. housing. We can teach our The people ofgood Some members of the community conscious took themselves and feel threatened by the police force. children to read. We can watch their children away from these By definition, the title of Police out for one another. If we can ever hope to live spectacles. We are approaching Officer is Officer of the Peace. this point here in Cincinnati and We have had far to little peace for in a society where we don' t need all over the country. They are Police, then we need to take better too long. If our citizens could leaving the urban centers to care of each other and stop the learn to live together peacefully escape the decay, and fleeing to violence. Every citizen needs to then we would have no ne~d for build newer and newer suburbs Police. Until that time, we tteed take responsibility for the farther away from the city's them and they don't have an easy condition of our society and for job to do either. They aren't center. These people of all races our situation here in Cincinnati. perfect, they are just human and religions are trying to avoid When all good people of our society's iIIs by moving away beings like the rest ofus. this city who are at its heart and from the hotbed of political Some ofour spiritual soul leave Downtown Cincinnati collusion. leaders continue to divide us to fall like the ruins of Rome, it We are experiencing urban according to race and say it is the will be too late for any sprawl all over this country and it basis of the problem. It is not. redemption. When the Good People Leave is destroying the very earth. While ---------------------------------------1 RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISION REMOVES LABOR other employees from the RIGHTS Hoffmand Plastic Compound in On March 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that undocumented worke do not have the right to free association in unions nor protection against employers that violate their labor rights. This decision means that if a business fires a worker for union activities (or any other reason), the worker does not enjoy the legal protection established by law because of her/his illegal immigrant condition. Undocumented workers in farm fields, factories, restaurants, and hotels in the country from this point do not have the right to demand lost wages or any other restitution from employers that violate the law by firing or punishing them for exercising their basic rights. The Court made a divided decision, 5 to 4, resolving the case of undocumented worker Jose Castro, fired along with three Paramount, California, in 1989, for supporting efforts to unioJlize the plant. The National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency in charge of resolving violations oflabor law and that supposedly guarantees protections to workers against employer repercussions for union activities or protesting employment conditions, found the rights of Castro had been violated and ordered that he be paid his back wages. The lower courts upheld the NLRB ruling, but the Supreme Court ruling reversed those decisions. BRACERO PROGRAM ­ Dangerous for workers The Bush Administration favors a "bracero" worker visa program. Under this program, immigrant workers are assigned a boss by the federal government and they I) cannot change jobs legally, 2) do not have the right to vote or a means to gain citizenship, 3) do not have the right to form unions, and 4) can be deported and prevented from returning to this country at the will of their employer. Baldemar Velasquez, President of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee of the AFL­ CIO, wrote, "What's scary is the number ofgood-hearted people who have been sold on this idea. Without a mass movement of opposition, Congress will go for it. People see it as some "compromise" short of "blanket amnesty." "Isn't it better than not having papers at all?" they ask. NO, IT'S MUCH WORSE! This program *codifies into law* the intimidation and absolute power employers have over immigrant workers." (Information is provided by the National Coalition for Dignity and Amnestyfor Undocumented Workers, www. tepeyac. orgl amnistia/, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, www.jloc.com; and Mexico Solidarity Network, www. mexicosolidaritv. orfY) Santa Cruz Homeless Activist wins Lawsuit Against LAPD for excessive force at DNC. Los Angeles, Ca. _ HUFF activist, writer, and videographer, Becky Johnson was awarded an undisclosed sum in a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department on April 11th when three cases represented by attorney James Fosbinder were settled. All cases stemmed from the LAPD police riot of the night of August l 4t~ 2000 when President Bill Clinton was speaking to the conventioneers~ the LAPD was shooting at the crowd outside with rubber bullets and clubbing everyone within 6 city blocks. Blocks away, on the night of August 14th, in the parking lot of the Shadow Convention at Pioneer Hall in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department prevented a live broadcast upload to satellite link claiming a suspected bomb in the parked van ofSanta Cruz Free Radio 96.3 FM programmer, the V-Man. After the riot, the sheriff's gave the aU clear. Becky Johnson and Robert Norse had been in the crowd across the street from the protest pit where the LAPD had just prematurely ended the series of speakers and bands that had been performing for the protesters. "They had permits until 9:00 PM," said Robert Norse. "But the police pulled the plug at 8:10PM" At 8:20PM, police began to advance on the dispersing crowd with biIIy clubs, firing dozens of rounds of rubber bullets, bean-bag guns, and stinger bullets. "I was almost trampled by the terrified crowd. I crouched behind a car wash sign so I wouldn't be hit by bullets," said Becky Johnson. "I pulled out my videocamera and began taping." Johnson turned to flee when an officer began clubbing a girl in front of her. "I never heard any warning to disperse from the area. I was not arrested. I was not threatened with arrest. I and three other people around me were just clubbed." Johnson sued in federal court for the Central District of California represented by attorneys Rhonda and James Fosbinder and Santa Cruz attorney, Kate Wells. On April 11th, 2002 Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Wistrich issued the order for settlement in Johnson's case, and that of two others. �May 2002 1TREETVIBES Page 19 Wal-Mart Faces Federal Charges for and harassment. Widespread Violations The Board complaint combined a year's worth of of Worker Rights violations into a consolidated Federal Labor Board Issues Complaint Against Wal-Mart for More than 45 Separate Incidents of Illegal Conduct From the UFCW web site Las Vegas, NV- The National Labor Relations Board charged Wal-Mart with violating federal law by coercing, intimidating and retaliating against its employees who were seeking a voice on the job with United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local Extreme Poverty Rising, Exsting Government Programs Could Do More The Urban Institute, April 2002 A recent Urban Institute policy briefconcludes that, "despite phenomenal growth in the U.S. economy in the late 1990s," extreme poverty (people with incomes below 50 percent of the federal poverty level) increased. More children lived in single­ parent, extremely poor families in 1998 than in 1996, an outcome that reflects an increase in very low-income families that are not receiving government support programs (including cash welfare and food stamps). 711. The Board complaint charges that Wal-Mart's illegal actions interfered with employees' right to hold a free and fair election at the Sam's Club store on Spring Mountain Road in Las Vegas. The Board blocked the union election that was scheduled for November 29th and 30th, 2001 due to the company's relentless, illegal activity to silence its workers, voices. After investigating the charges, the Board found ample evidence to prosecute Wal-Mart for denying workers their federal right to organize for union representation free from intimidation, coercion complaint. A hearing is set for June 25, 2002. Wal-Mart was on trial in Las Vegas before an Administrative Law Judge of the NLRB for massive labor law violations in both Wal-Mart stores, including illegal termination and discipline of pro-union employees. The Board cites Wal-Mart managers for: Illegally threatening workers with termination if they support the union; Illegally encouraging its employees to retaliate against co-workers who supported the union; Illegally interrogating workers about their union sympathies; IUegally threatening not to hire applicants and to fire employees based on their support for the union; Illegal surveillance of workers' activities to discover their union activities; Illegally attempting to silence workers' voices to discuss the union on Wal­ Mart property; Illegally denying workers' representation. "All we want is a fair and free election," said Sam's Club worker Alan Peto. "But the company refuses to take their chances on fair and free. They prefer to subvert the basic principle of American democracy, everyone's right to make up their own minds without threats, promises, or intimidation." The UFCW is the largest organization of retail workers in North America, with 1.4 million members. Workers at retail food industry leaders such as Kroger and Safeway are members of the UFCW. \ ­ Extremely poor children face especially high risks. Many families are not getting the assistance that they need. The report finds that, if the present government safety net Yellowstone spokeswoman were fully utilized for families Karen Cooper ofthe Marsha Karle said the National with children who qualified, Montana Department of Livestock Park Service did not protest DOL's poverty among children and their announced last montb yesterday decision to get kill untested bison. families would have been more that all wild buffalo roaming Yellowstone National than 20 percent lower and extreme outside Yellowstone National Park Park,s new supervisor is Suzanne poverty 70 percent lower in 1998. on their traditional grazing and Lewis. Her number is: These findings provide a calving grounds will be (307) 344-2002. Address is; P.O. strong rationale for improving slaughtered. Box 168, Yellowstone National existing programs to provide Cooper said she does not Park, WY 82190-0168. "family-friendly" delivery systems. know how long DOL will continue Montana's State vet is To link to the brief go to the FRAC killing animals without testing Arnold Gertonson. His number is: website: www.foodresearch.org them. They will no longer use the (406) 444-2043; Box 202201, facade of brucellosis testing to Helena, MT 59620; determine if buffalo exposed to the agertonson@mt.gov disease (& carrying theantibody) We'd like to hear A five minute call or 34 get the death sentence. All will be from 'JOUcent stamp could save a buffalo's killed Send letten or life! comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com, .. .··.. . ,:. or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letten, Streetvibes newspaper is published monthly on a shoe-string budget I 506 Elm Street from the offices of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Cincinnati, Ohio 452 I 0 H omeless. Can you help us with some of the following items? Montana DOL ~o"' To Destroy Wild Buffalo Write Us! • Wish List Extra! Extra! o Electric Stapler - Heavy duty Advertise in Streetvibes! o Supplies for Vendor's Lounge (paper towels, cream and sugar, snacks, etc.) Reach thousands of downtown UXJrkers each month! Call 421-7803 for more information about how advertising in Streetvibes will work for your business.... o Blank Zip D isks - For Streetvibes Archives o Office and Cleaning Supplies o Computers/ components for Streetvibes story-writing, editing, research. If you can help, contact us at: Streetvibes, do Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45210 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@"uno.com � 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 2002 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 May 2002 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Rally at Fountain Square Marks Anniversary of Cincinnati’s Unrest Pg 2: Looking Outside for Answers Pg 3: The Life Pg 4: Reader Mail Pg 5: Boycott of Cincinnati Continues Despite Lawsuit Pg 6: Know Your Rights Pg 7: The Library Creates New Anti-Smell Policy An Interview with Danny Glover Pg 8: Prisoners News Pg 9: Increase Access to School Meals for Homeless Children Pg 10: Nicaragua Pg 11: Nicaragua Continued Pg 12: Editorial Pg 13: Editorial Continued Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Pg 16: Death of Liberalism California Struggles Over Open Air Shelter Pg 17: Time to Start Healing Pg 18: When the Good People Leave Recent Supreme Court Decision Remove Labor Rights Pg 19: Wal-Mart Faces Federal Charges for Widespread Violations of Worker Rights 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 May 2002 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Alicia Beck Meghan Clarke Molly Lyons Mary Taylor John Halpin Cheryl Ware Jimmy Heath Jerome Manigan Mike Henson Susan Huesken LAH George Herrell Mike Henson Fanni J. Mark Telgarden Beth Lake Steven Paul Lansky Robert Lederman Mr. Lee Riccardo Taylor Robert Mannassa Carol Rainey Edna Smith Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alicia Beck anniversary Arts & Poetry Beth Lake Boycott Bush California Carol Rainey Cheryl Ware Cincinnati civil rights Covington Danny Glover Editorials Edna Smith Edward (Sonny) Williams Fanni J. Fountain Square Free Trade George Herrell Jack Abbott Jerome Manigan Jimmy Heath John Halpin LAH LAPD Lawsuit Liberalism Library Mark Telgarden Mary Taylor Maurice Mac McCrackin Meghan Clarke Mike Henson Molly Lyons Montana Mr. Lee Nicaragua NPR prisoners news Racial Profiling Rally Reader Mail Riccardo Taylor Rights Riverbank Robert Lederman Robert Mannassa Santa Cruz School Steven Paul Lansky Street Life Supreme Court Susan Huesken Wal-Mart welfare https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/68ed8aae51e4aa0af0de77c3632ae6ea.pdf 17df6dd5c2a3f6de1369d3c6927d7ab0 PDF Text Text St Donation ST t££T IBES · Your News Source Progres~ive BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY FEBRUARY 2002 �~ ~ FEBRUARY 2002 PANHANDLING FOR JUSTICE by John Halpin On January 15, over forty people took to the streets of downtown Cincinnati during lunch hour to "panhandle for justice." The volunteers - people experiencing homelessness, Streetvibes vendors, advocates, and allies - were raising awareness about an increasing number of civil rights violations against the homeless throughout the country and here in Cincinnati. Volunteers passed out nearly 2000 flyers, standing on the co ld sidewalks with cardboard signs, much like those held by many panhandlers. Instead of the usual "Homeless, Please Help," these signs had such facts written on them as "There were 25,000 homeless people in Cincinnati in 2000" and "The cost of arresting, processing and jailing a homeless person is more than providing them with affordable housing." The educational campaign took a panhandling slant to raise particular attention to Mayor CharJie Luken's recent motion for a new anti-panhandli ng ordinance, "as st1i ct as possible within constitutional standards." No ordinance has been drafted yet, but many fear that it will go beyond Cincinnati's current law which prohibits only "aggressive" panhandling. Many be]jeve that a peaceful panhandler's right to ask for money - part of the First £ .._........,..,,__.... Amendment right to free speech ­ downtown. Streetvibes was should not be inte1fered with. actually started as an aItem ati ve to panhandlfog, a chance for The action also raised awareness of the Mayor's attack on homeless and low-income people to have Streetvibes. meaningful At the employme nt December 4 and has meeting of enabled Counci l's • • many Law and Public vendors to Safety get back on Gf;eQter ~ Committee, their feet. Cincinnati Coolltfon For Luken Many in the city feel spared no kindness for Luken has the paper, gone one step too far with his saying its vendors were attack on Streetvibes, and an "panhandlers armed with independent group of activists and newspapers" and stated that vendors have started a group called vendors were aggressive and "Friends of the Homeless." They scaring people away from are raising awareness about the ~~. · · g;;,..-------------- Street View by Riccardo M. Taylor In light of the view from the strnet, I believe that the season of winter which is upon us needs to be related in tenns of what the street person has to deal with. The winter season is usually the hardest season for the street person in terms of survival. The cold temperatures along w ith the need for more materials, such as clothing and/or health materials in order to fight colds, etc, becomes a challenge for many street people in the sense that these materials are often harder to come by or are needed more often than in the other warmer seasons. The added burden of obtaining some of these needed materials for survival during the IAT c many positive things the paper does and e ncouraging Mayor Luken to refrain from enacting any policies that would harm the paper. Friends of the Homeless is currently launching a postcard writing campaign to the Mayor, allowing Cincinnatians from all walks of life to express support for the newspaper. The January 15 action, on the 73rd anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of many actions across the country in conjunction with the release of the report Illegal to be ~Homeless . The report is the most .§.comprehensive study to date of the mcriminalization of homelessness ~and civil rights violations against E "' the homeless. Illegal to be Homeless was the result of over a year of work that included interviewing homeless people and advocates in 80 communities across the United States. The report was compiled by the National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project of the National Coaljtion for the Homeless and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Pove1ty. The findings of the report were disturbing: Cities across the country are passing laws to push homeless people out of sight, rather than focussing on permanent solutions to homelessness itself. The laws criminalize many of the actions homeless people must do winter can be devastating to the street person, sometimes even becoming a matter of life or death. The street person is more vulnerable during the wi nter season than any other in terms of survival from the elements. Often, donations or other forms of support are not available or not as plentiful during this time of the year, thus causing pressure to those who have to survive on their wits or by the training which comes from street knowledge. One has to depend on others for resQurces, which are not readily available as they .are during the other seasons. One cannot easily sleep on a park bench in temperatures below zero! Nor can one go without shoes, a coat, or other wrap, which can adequately protect them from the elements. The harshness of winter can be the detennination of one's survival or their demise. The sure capacity of this possibility is in itself a factor, which in a sense of sane thinking should appeal to the street person as reason enough to make changes in their lifestyles. However, if it were that simple then it's almost an assurance that the street person would make those c~anges. This brings about the sense of reality that there is more than just the will, or desire to change TO FOR Panhandling... Cont. On Page 10 which must,_effect the street person. I cannot put e nough emphasis on the fact that one needs more than just the desire to change, and as in the case of most street people, there has to be some sort of support e I V1ew•... Cont. on page 3 I Inside Streetvibes �Streetvibes: A Human Investlllent The History of Streetvibes: and community people, produces Streetvibes began in 1996, as a one the monthly 20 page publication. page insert in the Cleveland The physical layout of the paper is Grapevine, Cleveland's street done on a computer in the · newspaper. Then in 1997, with a Coalition office and the copy is grant from the SC Ministries sent to a local printer for printing. Foundation, Streetvibes began its The vendors buy the paper from own independent publication. The The Greater Cincinnati Coalition initial printing was 500. for the Homeless for twenty cents Currently, the paper distributes 6­ each. The twenty cents helps to 8,000 Streetvibes monthly. In cover printing costs, editor's addition to the vendors, salary, photography and supplies. Streetvibes has a subscription base There are two donated computer~ of 300, and many are given away available to the vendors in the to schools and civic organizations. Coalition office so that they may Streetvibes is now an active write stories, access the internet, member (and an original founding and work on their resumes. member) of the North American Streetvibes is subsidized by Street Newspaper Association donations and general funds from (NASNA) that includes street the Homeless Coalition. The newspapers from all over the vendors in tum, distribute the United States, Canada, Mexico paper on the streets of Cincinnati, and Nova Scotia. There is also a requesting a $1 donation in return. large street newspaper movement "' How the vendina: proa:Fam in Europe which maintains works: People are referred to the connections with NASNA. Streetvibes vending program from How Streetvibes works: area shelters but most often come Streetvibes. has one part-time, through the Homeless Coalition's formerly homeless staff member, doors because of word of mouth. the editor. The editor, with The Coalition has specifi c times contributions from vendors, staff and days when new vendor orientation is provided and the potential vendor must make an appointment to sign up for the program. This orientation includes a discussion of sales methods, the vendor code of conduct, (that the vendor must agree to and sign) and an overview of incentives, encouraging vendors to contribute to the newspaper. The Vendors have a monthly meeting to discuss concerns/issues of the vendors and the staff. The meeting is generally held the first day of the month when the new issue of Streetvibes is released. The meeting provides a forum for vendors to help direct and provide input for the content of the paper. In addition, the vendor program helps homeless and low-income people connect with services that they may need - housing, treatment, assistance with bills, counseling and encouragement. For some people living on the streets, the Homeless Coalition and the Streetvibes program provides a first point of contact to services and assistance. Where Vendor: 80 cents Your Dollar Goes Printing and Production : 20 cents The Streetvibes program maintains a minimaloverhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more informa­ tion about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Vendor Code Each vendor has to sign the following code to be able to sell the paper. 1. Streetvibes will be distributed for a $1 voluntary collecting for the "homeless" in general. I will be donation. I agree not to ask for donations of more honest in stating that all the profits from the sale of than $1 . I also understand that I will be able to Streetvibes will go to the individual vendor: keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. Future 8. I will always present my badge when purchasing issues of Streetvibes will be pmchased from the papers, and I will display my badge at all times Homeless Coalition for 20 cents. while vending. Replacement badges are $5 each. 2. Streervibes may only be purchased from the 9. There are no territories. I agree that I will not GCCH. Purchasing or selling unauthorized cO"ntest territories with other distributors. I will papers, or from other vendors, will result in termi­ not sell on private property without permission. nation from the program. 10. I understand that Streetvibes strives to be a self3. I agree that I will not ask for donations or attempt supporting paper _created,by people w~o .are to vend after 12 midnight. homeless or formerly homele.ss: to nelp 1n this eff~r"t, I will cry to· spre~d the word and write 4. I agree to treat others with respect - Ot~er vendors, stories if possible. customers, and GCCH personnel. 5. l will not sell Streervibes while under the)nflu~nce. · 11... r t!tl.d~rS!?-nd that failµre .to. comply.with' a_ny of the 6. I will no"t give a "hard sell'' or make someone feel .. · -.above st~terp.encs will ~es~t in termination from · threatened. · . · . · th.e-Stteervibes vendo~· program, <;;CCH re~erv~§ 7. ! :agree not to·deceive rl).e public I~~ sayjng_fKat r~~- . -~ ch:!~~~~ ~~ ter~inat~.}~~~:':~~~ a~_::ni rfme ·a~ ..... collecting for a not-for-profit charity or that I am deemed appropriate. �Local News STREETVIBES February 2002_ Page 3 ReSTOC Leads Development on Vine Street off-street parking. "We are working to Through long politiGal revitalize Vine [in Over-the­ ReSTOC is a community battles and rising costs of driven nop·-profit organi ~ation Rhine] but we want to revitai ize it construction, ReSTOC' s .Vir:ie based on the co-operatiye model. with something besides bar.~ and S~r~et Community Projeq in nightClubs,," said.Summers. The; majority of ReSTOC board Over-the-Rhiny is set to st?.r t · In ad~Utiop to hou~ing, members are residents who make construction by tqe end of tbis day.-·to' day operating decisior;s the there ~re plans to develqp l}eW winter. for the co-op. ReSTOC us.e s g~een spaces. for rieighborhood M ayor Charlie Lµken ha.s volunteer labor, private n1nding residents and four new storefronts called Vine Street in Over-the- · fo~ community businesses. For and ha~ low operating c9sts so Rhine "the most important street. these businesses to thrive the they are able to ke~p their rents in the city" ~ec.ause it is ~t the economic health of the affordal:)le. geographical center of downtown The Vine Stree~ area and n~ighborhood is a crucial part of Cincinnati. Vine Street al.so the ReSTOC vision for Vine serves as a connector to do.wntown Over-the-Rhine in general bas Street. between Clifton, the Univ.ersity of been.an area of focus for developers for years. Advocates The main _funding source Cinci nnati and su rr~ounding for the working-class poor and of the development came' from the communities. low-inc.ome people also want Ohio Housing Finance Agen_cy Re.STOC has so far been development the largest investor on Vine Street ~ but want to bringing in nearly six mi llion. £ make sure dollars of investment through Cl! .1!_ tha~ there is Ohio's tax credit program and _ [ ReSTOC private funds. The Vine decent, "> affordable Street Community Project will ·be housing and one of the first projects on Vine econor,nic Street, bringing a new wave of opportunity economic development and for everyone, opportunities to Over-the-Rhine including and city residents. long-time The housing project Over-the­ follows Mayor Luken's, City Rhine Council's and the city residents. administration's vision for "We developing the half-mile stretch of Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine. want to create more The groundbreaking for the 30­ quality unit housing development will occur in March. All buildings will family-sized units in the be fi n.ished by spring 2003. Seven buildings on or around Vine community that are Street are going to be rehabbed available to provjd ing multi-bedroom units to neighborhood work~g_ class people in the people and their .families. The .n.eighborhood;· ~ " maj ority of apartments are in a ·said Jennifer This building at 15th and Republic Street in Over-thetownhouse.style with an· interiO'r ­ B ~immers of Rhine is scheduled for rehab as part of the Vine Street Community Project. staircase, and 17 uni ts will have -· ReSTOC. 0 I I Q. View.. ~. Cont. from page 1 system. It goes without saying that a lot of the leg work has to be carried out by the individual, yet there are some gray areas which one must get some outside help with, otherwise they will find themselves likely back in the position in which they are trying to escape. Again, outside support from the community at large has to be invested in this "scenario if the situation is to be changed. As a community we all need. to put fo1th an effort to eradicate the homeless problem and to help reinstate our fellow citizens (those in the . situation of homelessn·ess, etc,) back into the mainstream of the social fabric. Often, it's just the oppo1tunity to make a difference in one's own life that can bring about this instance of change. So it can be said that it is everyone's responsibility to do his or her part OlSC .JOCKEY SEl,VlCE Cli.f.ford Jon.es (5 13) 230-635 3 WW-i.v Voicemail ·C~ # <-141> °'ticxchange­ in altering the situation as it stands. I personally believe that we as a community are willing to take steps to help to eradicate thi s social blight and bring about both unity and respect for our fellow citizens and to make our city a model for the cause of humanity. Of course we have a long way to go, yet I am convinced that we can accomplish this feat if our hearts are put into it. I also realize that it is something that cannot be done overnight, perhaps maybe not in just one year. However, as long as we just stand by I am sure that it can never happen at all. So maybe it can be said that the ball is in each individual's own court and it's up to the individual to produce from his or her part that which they would like to see for the future of our community. Perhaps it is only the simplest of things which can make (OJ:lFA) as tax credits, but ReSTOC needed partial fu nding fyqm City HaJL- When the vote came·up in the summer of 2000, City Council did not approve ReSTOC's request of 770,000 dollars, and the over 3 million dollars awarded by OHFA was in jeopardy. After negotiations, City Council approved the money in November 2000. In January 2002, the contract was signed. At the negotiating table, the city wanted ReSTOC to sell its building at 12 14 Vine Street, in exchange for the city funding. ReSTOC complied, and the project was cut down from eight buildings to seven. "It was a tough struggle," said Summers, but our board was committed to providing 30 units for the neighborhood instead of none." ReSTOC has been attacked by City Hall and local media for this development on Vine Street. Out of more than 120 buildings on Vine Street, ReSTOC owns eleven, ten of which are occupied or under development. ReSTOC has put more money and sweat equity into rehabilitating housing on Vine than any other owner on the street. Seventy-two percent of the development budgets come from non-city and private sources. The non-profit group has been a leader in neighborhood development for nearly thirty years using private fu nding sources and tens-of thousands of volunteer hours per year to rehab affordable housing. ResTOC is the largest developer on Vine Street not onl y in buildings, but in neighbors and community. " ­ the difference in one person's life - the challenge is, are we willing to give that simple thing? Are we willing to help with the change, which ultimately would affect us all? These are questions which each individual needs to ask themselves if we are not satisfied with the way things are. Most importantly, the street person has to take responsibility for themselves. The rest of us have to be supportive of those efforts. I would like to conclude by adding we all are responsible for each other to some degree and no one is above the possibility of falling into the trap of the street person. So let's hope that things in this New Year will be different than those of the past, and each of us will be accountable for his or her part in making that difference. �Reader Mail STREETVIBES February 2002 Page 4 Reader Mail We would lllfe to hear from you - please address letters and comments to Streett1lbes, 1506 Elm Street, Cincinnati Ohio 4.sztO (or) email to: Streett1lbes@juno.com . Dear Mayor Luken As a Streetvibes Vendor in the Dayton area fo r the past year,• I've been able to pay my bills and get by from this wonderful, blessed newspaper. So much so that I'm encouraging all the agencies that he!p the needy to encourage a needy or homeless person to become a vendor as well as to subscribe to the paper. Several (Dayton, Ohio) people are now regular readers. Countless times, th is street newspaper has supported my fam ily with a few dollars to get by for the month, if not just for the day, and has probably kept me out of trouble as well as made my life (of many issues) a bit easier (not too embarrassed to say). Can't think of anything better when I'm doing three things at once: the needy helping the nee'dy, and I'm helping myself and my family at the same time! What a godsend! Thank you!! Sincerely, Carla Pitsinger 6040 Cotillion Court Clayton, Ohio 45315 Write Us! IL ~ We'd like to hear ~m IJOU•••• Send letters or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com, or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters, 506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 452 I 0 left in the wake of so-called present day economic vitality and are stuck in low wage jobs and . poverty and homelessness. The goods and services that allow products to be affordable to the beneficiaries of today's economic blessings rely on the cheap labor of many ill-paid by Jimmy Heath Many people know that the struggle that eventually took King's life still goes on today. The challenges facing human rights advocates are even greater than ever before. Even as we move into a new millennium, racism and bigotry is alive and well in this country. We conti nue to , go to war with countries against people who are not like us. The rise of hate crimes against citizens of our country and those who are presumably different continue to provide a testimonial to the new bigotry. We continue to fight for fair and livable wages and affordable housing and opportunites for our children. These challenges pose new moral an~ philosophical dilemmas every day for all citizens in thi s great . ... ""' country. Martm Luther '* • ~ :-" King kwo~doon~~ ...: ~ to be fighting these Continued next page , ~~,~~ ~ - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ .,:.;.,,.,.,;,:~~"" injustices. it ~e were alive today. King 1s remembered as the voice of justice for the rights of Social Security/SS! Denied? Call John M. Keegan The GCCH would like to thank this . Starbucks location for their generous donation of coffee and pastries. 3366 Erie Avenue East Hyde Park (513) 533-3402 Attorney at Law Practice concentrated in Social Security/SSI Disability Law NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN ~ (513) 651-9222 LP FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION �STREETVIBES February 2002 wage earners. Then there is the qujet hate - the bigotry and racism that goes on behind the closed doors of corporate boardrooms and in our nation's living rooms. The simple and insidious kind of racism and classism that grovels in the dark because we all know that it is wrong and cowardly. A malice that seeks to blame someone less fortunate and removed. As a baby boomer, I feel the yearning to succeed and feel the pull of selfishness that drives my generation. We know bow to take care of ourselves and we close our eyes to the pain of others - and we blame. Ki ngs strength of character taught us thjngs about the spirit and the inherent goodness of human nature. During the holidays and the winter months, most people recogni ze the struggles of the homeless and the poor and the spirit of giving is fo und. But the struggles continue long after the holidays. Sometimes hope can not be found during the warm and friendly s ummer months. The battle for human j ustice needs to be fought every day through th e generosity of our spidts, our hands and our hearts. [t takes a commitment and patience to realize thi s calling of the hum an spirit. As the holidays pass, will the spiri t of g iving fade away? Will we forget about the sufferi ng beyond our own walls? Will we learn to ho nestly confront our own intolerance? In 1963 , King said at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom; "Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of Gods children." Thirty-five years later, the struggle continues. Originally appeared in Streetvibes, January 1999. I was struck by how it fit the p resent cire urn.stances - even three years later. Job Opening!!! Child Care Staff Page 5 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Honteless welco01es new staff 01e01bers (/) .9 _g iii Q) :x: Meghan Clarke Greetings AJI ! I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the Streetvibes Communjty - readers and vendors alike. My name is Meghan Clarke and I recently jO"ined the Greater Cinc.innati Coalition for the Homeless' team as Administrative Coordinator. I am looking forward to getti ng to know the interworkings of the Coalition as well as the peopl e in the community. It is my pleasure to be a part of such a great team of people. My door is always open to anyone ­ whether it be for conversation or any suggestions on how we can better serve the community.... My door is always open to anyone - whether it be for conversation or any suggestions on how we can better serve the community. This is a great oppo1tunity for growth as we find our city as well as our nation being continually chaUe nged. Cheryl Ware I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Cheryl Ware and I am the new Vendor Coordinator for the Streetvibes newspaper program . I am also responsible for coordinating speakers for the Speakers Bureau. This newly created positio n is responsible for the intake of new vendors and coordinating services and support for them, and finding competent speakers to reach out to schools and community groups with the message and personal stor ies of the homeless experience. We often receive requests from schools, churches and community organizations for home less speakers. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know the vendors responsible for selling Streetvibes. I also look fo rward to becoming involved in support over the recent move by City Hall that threatens to restrict the work of our Stre~tvibes vendors. I wi11 be attending council meetings, writing articles in Streetvibes, and advocating in support of the Streetvibes program. I encourage all current and any new prospective vendors to Extra! Extra! Advertise to Socially Conscious Readers l Peaslee Child Care Center 215 East 14•h Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 Peaslee's brand new child care center is looking for staff persons who want to build a quality child care program ser ving the children of Over­ tbe-Rhine. Full and part-time positions available. Must be High School Graduate. For more information, call Laura Goodell at Peaslee, stop by the office at 1506 Elm ~ Street in Over-the-Rhine to discuss Advertise in Streetvibesl Reach thousands of downtown workers each monthl Call 421-7803 for more information about how advertising in Streetvibes will work for your business Low Rates Custom Sizes Available! 621-5514 ~ . ....... .. .... "''"II• ..... , their views, concerns or needs with ·me. If you are experiencing difficulty selling your papers, or would like to make suggestions about improvements, please stop by. . I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know the vendors responsible for selling Streetvibes .... I do ask for yom· patience as I am learning my new responsibilities, vendors and the community. I foresee so me changes being made and they will be introduced and discussed duri ng upcoming vendors meetings . A little about me. I have worked in Social services for ten years serving families and children. Over the years I have met many illteresting and diverse people. I have gathered and made many contacts in the community and hope to share this info rmati on in my new position. My previous positio n was with Ohio Valley Goodwill prov iding case management assisting low- income individuals fi nd employment. I have one daughter and live in the Kennedy Heights area. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and non violent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land. Most of these people will never make the headlines and their names will not appear in Who's Who. Yet when years have rolled past and when the blazing lig ht of truth is focused on this marvelous age in which we live men and women will know and children will be taught that we have a finer land, a better people, a more no ble civilizat ion - because these humble children of God were willing to suffer fo r righteousness' sake . Martin Luther King Jr., Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech (Dec 1964) �STREETVIBES February 2002 Know Your Rights - Do the poor have the right to free kind of speech Council is talking speech? about is speech that happens in by Molly Lyons Every month we will be highlighting a law or ordinance that affects homeless people in Cincinnati. This column does nothing to replace sound legal advice from an accredited lawyer, but seeks to empower and educate people in dealing with the criminal justice system and their lawyers. U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights: First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or ofthe . press, or the right of people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress ofgrievances. When I was in the third grade I took a social studies class where we learned about the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment. I used to assume that every middle school student in the United States had similar experiences. Recent actions by our city council regarding panhandJing leads me to believe that some people do not know that we have a First Amendment and that it applies equally to all people regardless of race or class. The Supreme Court has designated that speech can be regulated on public property. There are three categories of public property. The first of these is "traditional public forums," where most panhandling takes place, including streets, sidewalks and parks. The next category is "designated public forums" where the government says that certain areas can be used for certain kinds of speech; an example of a designated public forum would be Fountain Square. Finally there are "nonpublic forums" which are areas such as post offices that the government says are restricted from many different kinds of speech so that they can carry out their function effectively. The traditional public forums. Kent S. Scheidegger, the Legal Director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, has written a pamphlet called A Guide to Regulating Panhandling. The author, while stating that he supports civil liberties, also states that the reason he is opposed to ordinances that completely ban panhandling is because they usualJy do not stand up to Constitutional challenges. Does this mean that if the author was not forced to respect a poor person's First Amendment rights he would not? The sam ple law that Scheidegger suggests was implemented almost verbatim by the City of Dayton. This law requires, among other things, that anyone who panhandles on five or more days in a single calendar year must have a permit issued by the police department. If the person's permit has been revoked, they cannot panhandle for two years. In order to receive a permit, a person has to go to the police station, give his name, and be fingerprinted and photographed. If in the last five years a person has been convicted of two or more offenses involving aggress ive panhandling, they are ineligible for the permit. Scheidegger says, "With a permit system, a conviction of aggressive or fraudulent panhandling leads to ineligibility or revocation of the permit. From that point, the police can arrest that person for panhandling alone." While Dayton's ordinance is supposedly only to address aggressive and fraudu lent panhandling, it will punish people who have aggressively panhandled but are not engaged in aggressive panhandling actions at the present time. This law violates the rights to due process of law that maintain that "no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without du~ process of law." Panhandling is legally protected speech. To punish someone who is not breaking a law simply because they have previously broken a law is absurd. For many poor people, being on the street is the onJy avenue they have for getting across their message. While pol_iticians and business people Page 6 have financial backing that allow them to use newspapers, television campaigns, and any other number of media to get across their messages, the venues avai lable to the poor are limited. Furthermore, the poor cannot afford to hire media consultants who will assist them in making their message palatable to the general public. Many cases dealing with the First Amendment have continued to relay the message that just because we are uncomfortable with the message does not mean we can place unfair restrictions on the message. A truly free country for all would not try to eliminate the ways that the poor have to communicate with us. Freedom of speech should not be determined by how much money a person has or does not have but should be equally accessible to all people. When business interests and elected officials try to limit harmless speech, they have violated the beliefs on which this country is based. Know Your Rights Brochure Available! The Know Your Rights Brochure is now avai lable at the Coalition's office. Tbe brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati's homeless and covers a person's basic rights when interacting with the police, as well as some local laws that might be of interest to the homeless population. If you are a ; homeless person or if you work with homeless people a:nd would like to obtai n free copies of the . brochure for yourse lf or yo ur agency, please call John or Molly at 421-7803. Garry Fisher, STREETVIBES Vendor National Homeless Civil Rights Organizin Project (NHCROP) Molly Lyons and John Halpin 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com (513) 421-7803 �STREETVIBES February 2002 · Page 7 Santa Cruz & San Fransisco among ''meanest'' to homeless Welcome to Cincinnati, What other way can it Ms. LemDlie ofbe?people. If we continue to do what we Neither Norse nor Johnson was available for comment Tuesday. The report called Santa Cruz's sleeping ban "the most by Jerome J. Manigan controversial and contested anti­ homeless law" in the city. The Cinci nnati newspapers and decades-old law bans sleeping broadcast media have announced from 11 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. in that Mayor Charlie "Luken picks vehicles and on streets. Le mmie as new city manager. " Belcher said the camping Ms. Lemmie cunently serves as ban is enforced fairly and mostly City cries Foul the city manager of Dayton Ohio. through citizen complaints. If all goes as expected, she will In 200 I , he said, the become the first woman ever by Ken McLaughlin and Renee department received 1,032 "calls Koury for service" regarding the camping responsible for the management of Cincinnati. Mercury News ban. Of those, 935 calJs were Ms. Lemmje is an African initiated by citizens, not officers, Santa Cruz and Sao American. She is much admired, he said. Francisco are among the not only in Dayton, but also Police said just 169 people "meanest" cities in the nation nationalJy and internationally. A were cited the entire year, about toward poor and homeless people city in England has talked with her three dozen of them at Camp according to a recent report, about becoming the city manager Paradise in August after the city Illegal to be Homeless, released there. Obviously, her credentials, council gave officers the green recently by the National Coalition degrees, experience and all other light. Camp Paradise was the for the Homeless. requisites for such an important Santa Cruz ranked seventh, name given to an illegal and high profi le position are in campground set up on an oak­ and San Francisco was third ­ order. From what has been said shaded bank of the San Lorenzo just behind New York and Atlanta and written, Ci ncinnati will benefit River. - in the intensity of their tremendously if ~he decides to "Santa Cruz is not a mean crackdowns against beggars and accept the offered position. city," said attorney Paul Sanford, street dwellers, public drunks and Without a doubt, if she who until recently represented loiterers, said the report by the comes to Cincinnati, she will Camp Paradise residents. "In my National Law Center on quickly discover that her work has Homelessness and Poverty and the dealings with city officials last year, I thought they were making a been cut out for her. Police­ National Coalition for the community relations, downtown good-faith effort confronting a Homeless. Both groups are based problem that many residents see as development, neighborhood in Washington, D.C. concerns, and questions about the intractable." The report said cities city's proper response to issues of Sanford said he thought it across the nation are increasingly homelessness, privatization, and was absurd that the report did not passing and vigorously enforcing "beggars" roaming the streets of account for how much each city more laws aimed at making it a downtown Cincinnati are among spends on providing resources for crime to panhandle, sleep on the the many items awaiting her the homeless. streets and camp in parks. attention. Ken Cole, executive The report does not rank I'm not clairvoyant; director of the Homeless Services the cities surveyed beyond the however, I would like to offer Center, said the city of Santa Cruz worst dozen, nor does it list which some personal thoughts about what gives about $300,000 annually to of the 80 cities it surveyed are the Ms. Lemmie and the residents of the center. " best." Cincinnati and sutTounding areas Cole, who worked on Cities were evaluated based can expect in the year 2002. And, homeless issues in Seattle until on the number of "anti-homeless" my thoughts about the year 2002 two years ago, said the spending ordinances they' ve enacted, such are applicable not only locally, but was sizable for a small city. as those barring public sleeping, also nationally and internationally. In San Frandsco, the label begging and loitering - and how We will experience more of also rankled officials, w)lo noted vigorously they are enforced. what we have already experienced, that the city spent $104 million last According to the report, cities unless there is a major shift in year on homeless seryices, more were also judged on the numbers consciousness by a large number than most cities in the nation. of citations and arrests issued and the "general political climate" surrounding the issue of homelessness. In Santa Cruz, city officials as well as many people who work on homeless issues were both outraged and amused by the report. "I think it's a bunch of malarkey,... said Police Chief Steve Belcher, a frequent target of a small but determined group of Santa Cruz homeless advocates. Officials noted that the entire Santa Cruz section of the report was attributed to Robert Norse and Becky Johnson of Homeless United in FrieRdship,and Freedom, the city council' ~ two 1 · "Keep me informed. But not TOO informed/' •" .! most vociferdus critics on tfie i ,. '.s. ,\ issue. · - 1.... . .. have always done we can only get what we have always gotten. It's just that simple. And you don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand the logic of that statement. It seems to me that some in the African American community complain a bit too much about racism. Racism exists. Its negative impact and influence have caused a lot of pain and suffering for many, many people. Still , I'm beginning to wonder if many complaints alleging racism are nothing more than excuses for choosing to not take responsibility for self. At the same time, it seems to me that some in the white community are unwilling to even consider that some things are really in need of change. Every problem faced by African Americans is not the result of racism nor are things fine just as they are. There is much room on both sides for changes in perceptions, attitudes and behaviors. I'll admit that it is easy to identify what needs to be done and much more difficult to put into action those things that we know need to be done. After all, there is comfort in maintaining the status quo. Everybody prefers the known to the unknown, even when we know that the known is not necessarily what is best for us. I hope that among those things in the cards for 2002 are: 1.) open, honest, frank and even, when necessary, brutal dialogue about the state of affairs locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally; 2) commitments from people who truly understand the serious conditions in which we find ourselves to dedicate themselves to personal change, which has the potential to result in collective change; 3) less name­ calling, finger pointing, and inflammatory speech about each other, and 4) the realization that collectively we.can overcome any and all challenges with which we are faced. Respect and trust are the keys. Let's use them to open the doors to a new and improved 2002, not only here in Cincinnati but also regionally, nationally, and intemationally. Welcome to Cincinnati, Ms. Lemmie. Hopefully, you will be an effective leader and under your watch maybe Cincinnati will heal and eventually become the wqdd cl~ss city many would like for i.~ to be. �STREETVIBES February 2002 Page 8 Prisoners' News Facility at Lucasville into the write attorneys and they would residential treatment unit there. intervene. There they get treatment instead of My medical treatment was contains news about the justice system and the punishment by the Supermax cut off the day after the suit was writings of persons incarcerated in our guards. filed, and a new doctor, who nation's jails and prisons. However, after all of this, replaced the defendant doctor told We are seeking subscribers who are willing to sponsor a for myself, and the prisoners at the me that due to my involvement in prisoner so they can receive STREETVIBES behind the walls. the lawsuit my medications would Supermax here who aren't named Please sponsor someone on the inside. class plaintiffs and not allowed to be discontinued. When I sought A year's subscription costs $15. attend anY, attorney meetings, were help from the class action Send your comments and questions to streetvibes@juno.com disrespected by the attorneys who attorneys on thi s, they refused. mail : STREETVIBES, 1506 Elm Street sold the settlement to the named Sold me out! The unnamed class Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 class plaintiffs - on a promise and plaintiffs agreed to a settlement. a dream. The state knew we could So prisoners who are still of won the case on the medical, being denied or given inadequate So it had been the mental health care and lack of medical and mental health care, jailhouse lawyers and prison outside recreation issues. Also we and don' t want to wait a year and writers who have usually created have case law and good facts on a half to go to outside recreation the changes by filing civil rights our side. should write to: suits, as well as prison uprisings ­ So a proposed settlement Judge Gwin though lives are often lost this on those issues (which attorneys US Courthouse by John Perotti way. promoted by convincing the Federal Bldg. Over the past few years, it plaintiff who are unlettered in law) Rm368 Over the last 24 years I has become politicaJJy correct for that this was the best prisoners 2 South Main Street have either personally litigated or prisoner support groups to litigate could get and they could spend the Akron, Ohio 44308 assisted in litigation or legislation large class rest of their RE: Austin v. Wilkerson, for over 300 prisoner 's rights action suits time 4:01CV071 challenging suits. One of these was a human focusi ng on rights violation petition drafted for prison redasfilfication conditions. Amnesty International seeking _rl!";:;f>., issue While some Dear Streetvibes, assistance on the placement of changes, mentaJJ y ill in isolation, guard on of these have (an issue helped prisoner brutality, macings, I would like to say thank you that has firehosings, nepotism and other immensely, for the information your publica­ been tried human tights violations. often !bese ~iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-=-iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~and tion gives the prisoners of this litigations take on a life of their Well before our so-cal1ea New Slave Plantation. defeated by every Federal District "politically correct" ci vii rights own and the prisoners involved Also, I would like to bring to Court). have little to no input. Also, groups, i.e.: C. U. R. E. - OHIO, of all of your readers the attention In fact, class counsel won't Justice Watch, P.R. A. C. ­ liberal attorneys often substitute the need to bring a long and even show prisoners or tell Cincinnati, etc., acted on these their ideology for what prisoners meaningful boycott of the entire prisoners all the terms of the should be contributing. I say all of issues. phone system within the Depart­ settlement, other than to say a this because I am a plaintiff in a As a result, we were doctor had to work one more hour ment of Corrections (DOC). punished by prisoncrats for these pending class action suit. I only Our families are being charged at the Supermax here. Also an activities. However, even after joined out of interest in the outrageous prices while the DOC unnamed mental health monitor prisoner support attorneys for the successfully winning many civil receives kickbacks in the millions would be sometime in 2002, and Supermax prisoners - I have a rights suits, I've come to the from the phone company. I would prisoners would be allowed to realization that the prisoncrats just prima facie set of facts that could like to ask that a year-long an­ purchase tennis shoes in the don't care. They (the win damages had I litigated on my nouncement be placed in your commissary store for use in the "prisoncrats") use the Attorney own. publication concerning this and, if outside recreation cages the General to represent them with I had a major heart attack possible, any related publication Supermax promised to build. If taxpayers money when judgment and was left in a Supermax cell for the OSP gets the funds to build by pending a date, maybe within that eight days before numerous phone is obtained against them. The year. the middle of 2003. taxpayer pays it. And this all calls to the Supermax from We need more affordable Sadly enough, the fact that seems to be a badge of honor attorneys, family and supporters in prices for our family members, tennis shoes would be sold to Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio amongst their peers. The losing prisoners one day seemed to be the some who are single parents with prisoncrat often gets promoted. sought assistance for me. They children, who are struggling with focal point of most of the I spent years in Lucas ville got the prison doctor to finally a national recession. And while plaintiffs. When I .tried to get the supermax cells in the early '80's, perform an EKG to prove I had a attorneys to be more specific as to other states use debit cards, Ohio under conditions worse than heart attack. This is what is still stuck in the "stone age." recommendations made by today's supermax at Lucas ville. prisoners would call slam dunk But if enough support and atten­ medical expert witnesses, the Also we believed that the lawsuiting in that it couldn't be tion is given to this there can be attorneys wouldn ' t, but they told lost at the trial. I waived damages politically correct groups rarely change. another prisoner that if the answered our letters. Yet when a and let the lawyers use my case, Thank you in advance for your Supermax denies prisoners thinking they would do the right situation developed, such as a time and consideration in these medical care and after we exhaust thing by the prisoners. I spent a hostage taking to illustrate these matters: the denial via the useless lot of time recruiting co-plaintiffs atrocities committed upon, these Cordially, R. Q. grievance system, prisoners could groups (PAN - Ohio, Justice who have suffered similar case Watch, CURE, etc.,) were the first scenarios and organized a mass While we make every effort to provide a forum for those ones to hold press conferences rolling hunger strike among without a voice, STREETVIBES and the staff of THE prisoners on the cell block here. I telling the media that "yes, those GREATER prisoners have been living like referred. six mental1y ill prisoners CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, is not to these lawyers and the plaintiff's animals, so you should expect responsible for statements, and do not necessarily endorse them to react the same" in support psychiatrist which resulted in the opinions of the prisoners of the prisoners position. these brothers getting transferred whose writings are represented here. They are media hounds. to Southern Ohio Correctional Is It Really Worth It? .. �ST R EETVI B ES February 2002 P age 9 Michael Henson Receives Kerouac Prize for Poetry Where is this? byJerom·~· Manigan Where and what is this ublic art? Send or bring nswer along with your name and address to STR TVIB S 1506 I Street Cincinnati Ohi 5210. A single winner will be selected randomly ~ from the responses. Winner will receive a one­ ~ time use camera and free developing. Use your tE camera to submit a future WHERE IS THIS? ~ photo! J(i 1'erh. , , ,·-·· Pr Michael Henson (left) is awarded the Kerouac Prize by Dennis Kurlas Michael Henson, a long­ time Streetvibes supporter and Over-the-Rhine activist and writer, was recently awarded the Jack Kerouac Prize for Poetry by the Red Crow Journal. The presentation was made at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton, Ohio, during the monthly poetry reading session of the Riverbank Poetry Project. Henson has had a long association and history with the Cincinnati activist community. Much of his writing revolves around his experiences working with the homeless and his work on poverty and human rights issues. These themes are common to his poetry and other writings. He has written several books including Ransack. Ransack features the Over-the-Rhine community in Cincinnati as a backdrop for the story in this novel. Henson also is a friend and frequent contributor to the poetry pages in Streetvibes. See this month '.s poetry pages f or more of Michael Henson '.s writings. Cincinnati groups serve Park Ineals at Washington .,,.. .. Answer to last month's WHERE IS IT? - Mural on building wall near 14th and Vine in Over-the-Rhine. "Every time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, they send forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other form a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and ·resistance." Robert F. Kennedy Calling all Over-the-Rhine Artists~ Peaslee Neighborhood Center and the Ar t Academy invit e Over-t he-Rhine residents to help design a park bench t o be placed in Washington Park by the ~nd of summer, 2002. The bench will be large, and have ceramic tile designs of your neighborhood. Children and adults from various community centers have already sent us their pictures; but we need your help in creating a design using those pictures. Pat Mitchell and many volunteers from area agencies and religious organizations serve holiday meals to the homeless in Washington Park u y's o ace Permanent Housing for formerly homeless · individuals at 1300 Vine Street. For more information, call Agnes Mack at (513) 784-0800 Please come to Peaslee Neighborhood Center, 215 East 14th Street (at the corner of . Sycamore) on Wednesday evenings, 1/~ and 1/ 16, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and Thursday mornings, 1/10 and .1/17, from 10:00 a.m. ­ · 12:00 noon. No experience necessary! This will be a fun way to get to know your neighbors and make new friends. Call Br enda Z. at Peaslee, 621-5514, for further information. �STREETVIBES February 2002 Panhandling... are not as well funded as they should be, many homeless people Cont. from page 1 with mental illnesses are incarcerated instead of receiving in public for lack of private spaces the treatment that they need. of their own, including such · Nationally, 16% of inmates have a harmless actions as sleeping in diagnosed mental illness. public or sitting on sidewalks. The report found that vast There have also been numerous amounts of money are being spent attempts to push homeless people across the country to criminalize out of sight by regulating or trying homelessness, diverting scarce to prohibit panhandling. The resources from real solutions, such report found that Jaws which as affordable housing, health care, attempt to move homeless people and other resources. Interestingly, out of the public view are the report found that the cost of ineffective in their goal. Rather arresting, prqcessing, and jailing than enabling people to leave hom~less p~ople is higher than the homelessness, the laws result in cost of pr9vidi.ng housing. jail time and lengthy police · The report included a records, significant obstacles to section on how Cincinnati obtaining housing and · / criminalizciJ h~~elessness and employment, thus exacerbating the poverty. Cincinnati was problem. mentioned for its attempt to pass The report also found that an anti-panhandling law in 1995, in 100% of the communities which the· c0urts overturned as surveyed there were not enough unconstitutional. Several shelter beds to meet demand, thus homeless .pe.o ple interviewed in people end up on the streets Cincinnati relayed incidents of involuntarily. How can we police harassment. In addition, criminalize involuntary behavior? Cincinnati was noted for City Here in Cincinnati, demand for Council's reluctance to commit emergency shelter has risen federal dollars earmarked for low­ sharply, especially in the past income housing development to several months ;•~· ,, ... ,., ·- · · ~ , sticn poq)oses. Councilman Jim and there simply are not enough Tarbell was quoted saying, "Do we shelter beds to meet demand on really want the poor, the people many nights. Another alarming with the most problems, as the first finding is that people w!ttvmen.~al ; thiag you see when you come to health problems are \ this;ciJy:,?$'. disproportionately affected by \ ~1~-fJJ'ojQeless people and criminalization. Because advocates liope "Panhandling for 1 community mental health systems Justice" raised awareness among the public that there are better ways to deal with homelessness than criminalizing it. Streetvibes editor Jimmy • Heath said "To focus on panhandlers and other poor folk as the reason for the decline of downtown Cincinnati is an act of cowardice by City Hall. Today 's action showed that people in Cincinnati won't stand for that kind of STREETVIBES supporters Meghan scapegoating. We need to address Clarke (top) and Brenda the root causes of these issues, not Zechmeister (bottom photo) dis­ the symptoms." tribute informatiqnal flyers on Vine Street in Downtown Cincinnati. .. _,;,c;-..... _ ,.. ..... FEATURES Page 10 National Release of Criminalization Report return to normalcy." My response to this is to quote Martin L uther King, Jr. , writing a letter from a jail in Birmingham where he had received similar critiques. "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must .be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct-action campaign that was 'well timed' in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease Martin Luther King, Jr. of segregation. For years now I have heard the word 'Wait! ' It by Molly Lyons rings in the ear of every Negro On January 15, 2002 (Martin with piercing familiarity. This Luther King's Birthday) The 'Wait' has almost always meant National Homeless Civil Rights 'Never,' We must come to see, Organizing Project (NHCROP) with one of our distinguished released its study Illegal to be jurists, that 'justice too long Homeless, The Criminalization of delayed is justice denied." Homelessness in the United Our country deals with civil States. rights as a past event, a struggle The study was a result of a that happened and is now over. coordinated effort involving over The same institutions that 50 cities dqcumenting civil rights champion civil rights struggles of abuses committed against the yesteryear, now that they are in the homeless. past, are denying the basic civil The Civil Rights Work Group rights of many homeless and poor of the National Coalition for the people today. If the elected Homeless is comprised of forty leaders of this city truly believe in people nationwide who have the movement Martin Luther worked for over a year to collect King, Jr., spoke for, they will heed the data that makes up the study. his words, not just speak them. King's birthday was chosen They will realize that the for the day the study was released movement did not end with the because the Work Group wanted passage of the Civil Rights Act to draw connections between the and it did not end with King 's fight begun so many years ago that death. still needs to continue today if If we credit Dr. King but deny King's dream is ever to be the movement he struggled for, we fulfilled. are betraying his legacy. King knew that without looking at the connections Peaslee Neighborhood between race and class and Center without dealing with issues of 215 East 14th Street poverty, civil and human rights could not be fully achieved. Over-the-Rhine In November of 1967, he Cincihnat i, Oh io 45210 began the Poor People 's (513) 621-5514 Campaign, which was a movement to urge the nation 's leaders to deal with the issues of poverty. Our elected leaders have failed to take up that charge and instead have declared war on the poor. Nationwide, the trend bas been to push the homeless out of the view, limit their speech and criminalize thi ngs that they must do in public to survive. Locally, advocates who try to Empowering our come up with solutions to deal neighborhood children with the issues of poverty and racism are told that they are t hrough peace and "contributing to the downfall of education the city" and that "we need a �STREETVIBES February 20Q2 Ursuline Student talks about her positive Streetvibes encounter A Letter about a FEATURES Page 11 weekend. Now Streetvibes has be affected by a program like inviting Streetvibes vendors into another loyal patron in my our high school, it's a pretty boyfriend, who promised me to always buy the newspaper when he amazing thing. saw a vendor. I imagine that if I Thanks for opening that had an experience like this, a lot of door for me and for so many other other UA alumnae must have had people. It really does make a similar experiences as well. If you difference ! think about all the people who can Christy Bell visited our school on Fridays and the brief conversations I'd had Streetvibes Vendor to Todd with them. He apologized, and Forman. headed to the cash register with the Mr. Forman, a teacher at batteries he'd needed. Ursuline Academy, brings I had walked into Streetvibes Vendors to his Walgreens with every intention of school to speak to his students buying the new Cosmo to read on the car ride up to Athens, but about the vendor program instead I pulled two dollars out of and issues surrounding pov­ , , , . , . ,·*'µ1 ~~, 111# 'f'rf.,.fiff#6'.~ /iQllltJ/t§§ tJf'!Ql.~, i~ ~lllbr~ .i!:I my wallet and handed one of them erty and homelessness JJfJ/I ~f.$9/Yj IPllh to Mike, deciding Streetvibes was a publication much more worthy of Mr. Forman, "IJll##, IJJ!"Ml~illtl.~ /!I# pwit/!4 11 1,.nl..<¥1 fur -.w~ m> ~ ~/1)~#*1//I J/y~i~Jl!ll~il!.1'!/, I thought of you this my money. When we walked back weekend and was really grateful to out of the store, we· purchased two , , , . , . , §/~/~§)!fl,$ ;M/~81/ .$.~~~~/I) you, so I wanted to email you to copies of Streetvibes. . 11/!#f!ml IM~PirP.ll!M!IWll§ !Ml llYNi IO ~MM; !WI say thanks. Sunday night my The vendor called us , , , . , . , §lrt!MPI,$ 1111§ ~ N pJlbM ~ !ll{ljlJ!' i:MNM /llGillR boyfriend and I stopped at the Romeo and Juliet, and asked what ~~ fll'Ofl/li l!ml Walgreens by his apartment in had changed our minds. I told him Clifton on our way back up to OU. I had talked Mike into it, and I ,,,,,,,., §lru!YIP!.~ INI:$ ~it/14 ~ will! W/.JH.MI 19 If~ Wtl /Ml.W~~i 111111, As we walked inside, we think Mike was a little shocked were approached by aStreetvibes when instead of walking straight to ,,,.,.,,fitmlri!JH Ml JMpir!J~IO l91RW/WI! IP m9 lw!N.e.l!~ In (j~r {!Wimlf#J.. vendor. Politely, Mike shook his the car with him I paused and head and told the vendor he wasn't talked with the vendor for a few interested in buying the newspaper. minutes. He suggested. that I check out the poetry section of the The second we got inside, I asked him why he had refused the man. newspaper (you know, since I was . He made some comment about supposed to be Juliet) and told me getting hit up for money that if I got inspired I could send everywhere around UC, and my own poetry in by the 15th. alluded in a very condescending He was very friendly, and I manner to my not understanding remembered how much I missed being exposed to new and different how things were down there. Needless to say, I got a people. In the car, I read excerpts llttle ticked. I asked him if he of Streetvibes to Mike, and even knew what Streetvibes was, counted my blessings for alJ of the and he responded that he did not. I unique opportunities I had at explained to him who sponsored Ursuline. Streetvibes; and who its vendors Thank you so much for were, and what it attempts to exposing me to people and accomplish. I told him about the conditions I wouldn't normally Mayor Charlie Luken's Proclamation honoring STREETVIBES Streetvibes vendors who had have encountered. It paid off this Procla m ation -·l'!m!W \ ATTENTl!Ofl'J: . HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADlillTS.. ~ tsJQW IS lrH6 TIME FOR YQ~R VOID€& 1i0 BE IHEARt>I Voice for Youth is a new writing group at Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine for teenagers and young adults. Empower yourself and share your:- views on social justice, homelessness, and poveri-fy-related issues through writing. Writing gatherings are helcf every Thursdax at 4 ~ 30 ana 7 :00 p.m. s:tarting January 10 at Peaslee, 215 East 1A-th Street. The atmosphere is casua·I. Opporfuniti·e s for pub(icat'ion in Stree~ibes newspaper., youll' pnogri-essiv~ news source,,. a€ ll Bnenda ~- at 621-5514 iToF mo~ info, or e-mail at peaslee_b~@l\ottnail. eom. - Wish List Str~etvibe$ 11ewspaper .is published monthly on t=t sho_e.,.-suing bu.dget fr-0m th~ ,off~ -0f m.e G1.eare.r ·Ci1J.cia°'4ti CoaJition for the Homeless. We d~nd h~4vjly on the gpodwiU of many volunteers an<l donors. Can you help us with some o the followiflg items? o Electric Stapler - Heayy duty o Blank Zip Disks - For Streetvibes Archives o Supplies for Vendor's Lounge (paper towels, cream and sugar, snacks, etc.) o Office and Cleaning Supplies o Computers/ components for Streetvibes story-writing, edit­ ing, research. If you can help, contact us at: Streetvibes, clo Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45210 (513) 421-7803 �STREETVIBES February 2002 EDITORIAL SECTION Labor, Bush's War, And The Democrat Party By Steve Argue In a recent speech in Billings, Montana, Bill Clinton argued that Americans have a patriotic duty to "shout down" criti cs of U.S. government actions: "When you hear somebody doing it, you ought to stand up and double up your fist and stick it in the sky and shout them down." This should come as no surprise from a president whose first act in office was the bombing of Iraq and who later bombed Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and Sudan. While war is bad for workers, Clinton and Gore were just as bad on direct union issues as well. As a 1:ailroad conductor and a member of the UTU I struck for 47 days against the Soo Line I Canadian Pacific Railroad under Clinton. That strike was ended by orders from Bill Clinton to return to work. With a union leadership too timid to challenge the president we went back to work and were given a contract that eliminated jobs and made our j obs more dangerous. In fact, while Clinton and Gore got a Jot of support from the labor movement, they gave us nothing but anti-worker policies in return. The UTU was no exception. After Clinton's attacks on UTU workers the UTU leadership gave an early endorsement to Clinton in the next election. This betrayal of the membership included giving our hard earned dues to the anti-worker Democrats. Authorization for Bush's war on the world, with current target being Afghanistan, was passed by both the Democrats and Republicans with only one · dissenting vote. T he one exception to the war came from Democrat Barbara Lee. The Democrats, as usual, continue to be one of the twin parties of war. Today AFL-CIO President John Sweeney endorses Bush's war while a number of local unions have passed resolutions saying they oppose the war. A very significant resolution was passed by the Oakland teachers union who are not only saying they are against the war, they are also going to hold a teach-in against the war. The Oakland event will be supporting their local congressional representative Barbara Lee as well. Politically in the national arena, however, we must address the problem of the Democrats. They aren 't with labor and they are for war. More meaningful labor resolutions on the war would point out these facts and call for an end to political and financ ial support by the unions to the Democrats and Republicans. Instead of supporting Democrats the unions should be supporting the workers with better strike funds when we gQ out on strike. There are better political parties trying to emerge that do support workers and who do oppose U.S. wars. With such movements trying to emerge, the labor movement doesn' t need to keep shooting itself in the foot by supporting our strike breaking pro-war enemies. LA Joint Terrorism Task Force raids website An interview with "Sherman," formerly of RaiseTheFist.com and LAAnarchists.org, whose home was raided by the LA Joint Terrorism Task Force on Jan. 24, 2002 Was there any warning that investigation of your website was heating up? Yes. I have been monitoring government agencies connecting to the site for a long time. I'd been noticing more frequency with them coming back to the site. They had also started intercepting all packets on my DSL line, and seized one of my older AIM screen names for 12 days, so I knew something was going to happen - soon. It was really obvious. I even saw them outside my house at times. They have been monitoring the site very, very extensively LONG before the "incriminating content" which they were "concerned" about was posted onto the site. They simply used this content as an excuse to obtain a warrant for the raid. As a victim of one of the first post-Patriot Act anti­ "terrorism" raids, why do you think the Feds chose you? Simply because Raisethefist was effective in what I was doing. It's the same reason why Feds raid other activist organizations. They' re effective. And effectiveness within our movement scares them. They're afraid. And they' re going to try and silence us any way they can. Any idea how many agents/officers participated in · the raid? Yep, there was about 25-30 of them. They surrounded my house with guns. Blocked off the garage door with a big bench, had a door hammer, had cars all up and down the streets, then 2 agents knocked at my door, pulled me outside, and the FBI came in and raided. Can you remember any exact quotes that the agents told you - what prec~sely did they say about 9-11, your web site, what they were looking for, etc. They told me the main reason for the raid was because of the content on the site, and they wanted to see who was looking at it. This was not the main reason. It was an excuse. The alleged content which they claim they were so concerned about is from the Reclaim Guide. It's posted on thousands of other web sites around the internet. Why didn't they raid those? Why did they only come after Raisethefist.com? Again, they've been watching the site for a long time, long before the Reclaim Guide was even posted onto the site. They used this as an excuse to get a warrant for the raid and seize all computer equipment. One of the first things one of the head agents conducting the raid asked me was, "why did you grow your hair out?" The picture they have of me is a bit older when I had short hair. They were acting as if I was trying to "hide my appearance" from them. They then sat me down, started asking me questions, etc. All this while the FBI was in my house with guns drawn, and seizing aU computer equipment. The FBI, Secret Service, LAPD and LASD · Page 12 (Sheriffs Dept.) participated in the raid. The Secret Service person kept asking me if I'd like to see Bush killed. They were asking me a lot of loaded questions. Why do you think the FBI raided RaiseTheF ist.com? Do you think they were out to shutdown something unique to your site, such as the photos of undercover cops? They raided it simply because it was effective. It had a lot of potential, and was really moving, not just as a web site, but essentially as an anarchist/activist collective - kids were starting to set up clubs in their schools called "Raisethefist" - we were also beginning to put together an anarchist collective for Los Angeles, amongst other things. I believe one of the main things that got them scared about the site, is that we called for an actual change. Raisethefist was a bit more radical than other web sites, and seeing how it was getting so popular, they wanted to shut it down. Based on what the agents told you, and your suspicions, do you have any idea if other participants or contributors to the website, or other websites, are also under investigation? Yes. Those whose web sites I was hosting on the server will most likely be under investigation. How soon, or how much, I don ' t know. It could be going on right now. But I can't confim1. A webposting states that you are "a kid" who lives with his parents. Any comment as to whether you are under or over 18, and who you live with? I'm 18 years old, almost 19. I currently live with my mom. The computers were also used for my job. I've been supporting myself through them doing independent programming. So not only is Raisethefist.com gone, but I'm out of a job for the time being.By the way, there are a lot of stupid-a$* rumors going on out there. I th ink r heard one about someone saying I was making "weapons of mass destruction" or something. Just shows the ignorance amongst a lot of people out there. Do you think the .Bush Administration is just trying to see what it can get away with? What would you predict will be the outcome of this epi~ode? They're going to try and get away with anything, and everything. What does the future hold ? Nothing but a barcode. Streetvibes exists as a forum·for the expression of the views and opinions ofour readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those ofthe Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �Page 13 STRE E TVIBES February 2002 Postage Stamps a Measure of Patriotism? by Matthew Rothschild Even an innocuous trip to the Post Office can you get you into trouble these days. Daniel Mu ller, is the co­ coordinator of Voices in the Wilderness, a group dedicated to nonviolence and a leading opponent of U.S. sanctions against Iraq. On November 9, Muller and his colleague Andrew Mandell went to pick up stamps at the Chicago post office they regularly visit. They were paying with cash. "We needed 4,000 stamps for a mailing we were doing, and I asked for ones not with the American flag on them," says Mu JIer. The woman asked if Statute of L iberty stamps were OK. "Yes, we love liberty," said Andrew Mandell. "She asked us to step aside from the counter, and she went to the back, out of view," recalls Muller. "I knew something was up because this was a bit out of the ordinary. And Andrew said, 'She's calling the cops,' but I didn ' t believe him." "No one said anything to us for about twenty minutes, and then two cops came in and asked for our IDs. They asked if we had any outstanding warrants. They ran a check on us. They asked us why we had asked for stamps without American flags on them. I said we' re very rooted in nonviolent activities, and we would rather have the Statue of Liberty than the American flag." The Post Office told Muller and Mandell that they would have to come back the next morning for stamps. Mandell got his stamps the next day, but he also was asked to meet with a federal postal inspector for more than a half-hour. The postal inspector, says Mandell, asked: "Why are you paying with cash? Where do you get your money?" Afterwards, the group was permitted to send out its mailing. "The fact that they did ask for anything but flag stamps did raise a question for the clerk," says Silvia Carrier, a public relations officer for the U.S. Postal Inspector in Chicago. Plus, says Carrier, "They were buying postage with a large amount of cash, and usually a company will use a meter or a business check. Right now, since September 1l , clerks have been told to be cautious, to be looking out for anything suspicious." A force for peace or war? IN THE COLOMBIAN jungle, government and guerrilla negotiators restarted peace talks yesterday in an attempt to end their nation's 39-year-old war. The stakes are high ­ not only for Colombia, which has been ripped apart by bloodshed for way too long, but for the United States, which cannot hope to stop the huge flow of cocaine and heroin to U.S. streets without a peace agreement. So, why is Washington undermining the peace process rather than supporting it? Answer: narcotics, the Cold War and terrorism. Under the guise of the war on drugs, the United States has spent billions of dollars ­ including $625 milli0n for 2002 - to help the Colombian army fight drug traffickers and leftist guerrillas. This aid has worsened the conflict; meanwhile, Washington has given only lip-service to supporting the peace talks. U.S. culpability in the civil war has been discreetly obscured by the fig leaf of fi ghting drugs. American military advisers and equipment are limited to counternarcotics activities - a pointless distinction, given that U.S. and Colombian officials view the rebels as indistinguishable from drug traffickers and fight them equally. But in the next few weeks, the Bush administration is expected to announce a major shift in policy, discarding the fig leaf of merely fighting drugs and giving the U.S. military a direct role in helping the Colombian army fight the guerrillas. For example, U.S. military "advisers" reportedly will help Colombian troops defend drilling rigs and pipelines used by U.S. oil companies such as Occidental Petroleum Corporation of Los Angeles. The administration 's position combines Cold War­ style antipathy for leftist guerrillas with modem anti­ terrorism. Officials claim that because the two rebel groups are on the U.S. list of terrorist groups, they should be treated no more leniently than Osama bin Laden. Such rhetoric is hypoc1itical. The net effect of the new aid will be to further tighten the army's covert aJliance with the worst band of drug traffickers - the rightist paramilitary death squads, who also are on the terrorist list ­ while deepening the war. Now, in the peace talks, the government and guerrillas are racing to meet an April deadline for a cease-fire. The two sides are still far apart on the issues on the talks agenda, and hard-liners in each camp are known to be itching to resume all-out war. The cause of peace has few allies - notably the United Nations, which has played an admirable role in rescuing the talks from collapse. Instead of undermining the peace talks, the Bush administration should actively support them. Noam Chomsky, linguistics professor, MIT When the U.S. launched a murderous terrorist war against Nicaragua, Nicaragua did not set off bombs in Washington but took the matter to the World Court, which ordered the U.S. to cease its "unlawful use of force" and to pay substantial reparations. The U.S. responded by escalating the terrorist attack. Nicaragua approached the Security Council, which called on all states to observe international law (vetoed by the U.S.), and then went to the General Assembly, which passed a similar resolution (again vetoed by the U.S.). No one will stop the U.S. if it follows the procedures that it blocked in the case of Nicaragua. Suitable for Framing "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from a Birmingham Jail. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ Story, Editorial and Art Submission Deadline for the March,2002 edition of STREETVIBES is Friday, February 15th. indMdual * < fcp,r more· infonnatian. �STREETVIBES February 2002 Saint Francis of the Entrepreneurs On December 24th, I was going to get together with a good friend and her mother. That morning, her mother had a heart attack and died. In memory of her mother and in recognition of the feelings and thoughts her (Ruth Jones) triggered in me, I wrote the following. by Mike Henson To Say Our Last Goodbye I feed the birds outside my window. My father made a bird feeder of cedar. It is small, square, and humble. The birds don 1t care. It is battered: the lid blew off the hinges in a storm years ago. The birds don 1t care. The nifty plastic shield that held up the seed in a stack and dropped it into a feeding tray­ that1s gone too. The birds don 1t care. The feeder is nothing more than a three-sided box screwed to the window frame. The birds don 1t care. the sides of the feeder and the windowsill are white with bird shit. but the birds don't care a bit. they perch in a row, waiting for the bonanzaThey scrap and chatter and argue over their placessparrows, doves, an occasional pigeon and a jay -regular as the meter manwho calls, sharp and piercing if he is not fed when he demands. Probably the hardest thing we have to do So very painful for me and you Done by each individual in their own way The human need to say...Our . Last Goodbye. Who knew when this day would come The Holy Father is the only one. The last day this day will make To say our last goodbye. That pain so deeply felt­ Those tears, the heart to melt. The spirit to bid farewell To say our last goodbye. Didn't get to say it all Tried to forget the fall Amazed to see you standing tall To say my last goodbye. Petit Bourgeois Blues by Mike Henson There1s a wino on my doorstep, got·me feelin down Half-dead wino on my doorstep, now Pm feelin down. Cause my customers don1t like it, brother gonna have to move uptown. Got these micro-brewery blues, up-scale restaurant just the same Got these art gallery blues, coffeehouse just the same You know I love that local color, but these crackheads ~~nt my game. J ;· Goodbye Mrs. Jones. I love you and will miss you. I miss your laughter, your smile. That deadpan expression while the laughter was in yo~r eyes. I miss "telling" on Gilda and Gilda "telling" on me. I miss visiting you, especially on Free Popcorn Tuesday. I miss you laughing at my bad jokes, and not getting offended by my bad language. You lifted my spirits because we lifted yours. Your courage and dignity I admired. You gave me much joy, without even knowing it! You did your job. The children were raised. The grandchildren grandma' ed. You ran the race and fought the good fight. You deserve the rest and a place in the house of the Father. You lost your legs, but so very much more you gained. Mister Lee ART & POETRY Page 14 Soldiers A Man for Song all Seasons by Gary Lehmann A so1dier's eyes slam open interrupting the dead of night like a bayonet in the belly. by Bill Tinker Here is to the man all tattered and worn Could have been PREZ instead he is dehomed Free as as a bird to fly this ol'coop, remembering the War an.d how he was seen. Ancient fears, forgotten features. His lady brings him water. "It' ll be all right now, honey." SNAKE by Anthony Watkins Makes for this Vet to feel rather mean, its not who you are but what you can dream . Living thru flash backs of death all around, this man deserves better than a park bench called home. So if you as americans really give a damn reach out and give this brother,or sister who is homeless a hand. And never forget just how close we all have drifted to seeing the holy ghost Yes its quite clear to me, homelessness is near to thee. I ask not your pity Nor handouts of pain, I only ask that you consider me a homeless man, Not a being from beyond! For today I work for my meal, as is the deal tomorrow I move on to places unknown,but if possible I too might find a place I can call Home! i For information on submitting your poetry to STREETVIBES call 421 -7803 ., I j' t ,.._, Let me tell you about this girl named Sweet and Petite From heavens above you would think She is a precious gift. But in reality, she makes me sick. See, in her mind, she says she's a witch. But down on earth we know her as a trick. Like fire and thunder, she often makes em wonder. You know, like Stevie Wonder Calling herself Queen Bee But in reality she lied to me. She's the devil's child, running wild makes herself an angel to light You know, smooth, like Dolomite. But it's out of date, she's always late Or, her name might be Gail, she'll put You in living hell. Post with no bail. She's too fat, she might break her back. Thinks she goes lovey-dovey, she' a tell-o-tubby She'll cut you up with her eyes. You got a date with cake and can't be late. No, in reality, she's just a snake. Thinking that her heart is made of steel. That girl needs to chill before somebody breaks her grill. She's bad for your health. Get that poison off your chest and leave her to rest. �. STREETVIBES February 2002 The Work of the Dead .. - . . . . ·A:RT &.- POETRY . .-·.-:. .. . . . ' . ' ·'- .._ -~ - ~- - Shutter Speed . ·_.· Page 15 by Jimmy Heath by Mike Henson In every life cut short, so many things are left undone. The dishes stacked and crusting in the sink. The dogs unfed. Three new strings on the guitar, the others still in their wrappers. The bedroom half-painted, . one side fresh and glossy, the other a map of patching plaster islands. And the oil that really ought to be changed. And the Jetter unsent it o nl y needs a s tamp and someone to walk it to the mailbox. And all the work of love: words and gestures still bundled in their little proud houses and the keys lay right on the table where we left them. And even the nation, this sprawling, addled nation: Such a tangle of dropped threads, inten-upted projects, failed promises. W ho will beat down the hanuners of greed? Who wi11 untangle the knots of deceit? Those whose lives have been cut short are crowded into their darkened theater where they watch us bawling and arguing like actors in an ancient drama. They watch us closely, for they want to know who will take on the unfinished work of the dead. (Ed. Note: this is one of the poems that won the Kerouac Prize for Mike Henson) Bush is my Shepherd Bush is my Shepherd, I am in want, He maketh me to lie down on park benches, He leadeth me by still factories, He restoreth my doubt in the Republican Pa1ty He guideth me in the path of the Unemployed for his party 's sake, Yea, though I walk through the valley of soup kitchens, I am hungry. I do fear ev il, for thou a1t against me; Thy Cabinet and thy Senate, they do discomfort me; Tho didst prepare a reductit m in my wages; In the presence of my creditors thou anointed my income with taxes, So my expense overruneth my income. Surely poverty and hard times wil1 follow me All the days of the Republican administration. And I shall dwell in a rented house forever. Martin Luther King Day march - January 20th, 2002 LORD WHY? by Anthony Watkins Lord, why did you put me here to die, to burn, to learn? Lord, why did you put me here to die, in a world full with pain? What is there to gain in this wicked game? What is there to gain when your back is against the waJI , and you constantly fall, when everytime you try to get by you fall on your face? What's left to save the human race? The Crack Attack is Over by P. J. I-'m a quitter, that's right I quit Geekin' & Seekin' 4 my next hit 4 awhile I thought that crack was my friend Now I'm in a cycle where there's no end. All I wanted was something 2 do But day after day my addiction grew At l st I didn 't know that it was a habit Until I realized I just had 2 have ·it Sometime I realized I just had 2 have it I'd do anything 2 suck the pipe 1 What is there to gain when hope is gone and you are standing all alone? To burn in hell or die in a jail cell? When pain and sorrow, and it seems like no tomorrow, th.inking back to the goodness we once had. It seems to me that the worlds is so sad when everybotly professes to keep it so real when it comes down face to face. They hold their head down in disgrace in this wicked place. When everybody's puffing on so much chronic smoke, it seems that life is one big joke. When kids play with guns thinking that this is a game of fun , and money rules the world, and its war and tears, and its man that they fear. Don't they know the Savior is near? A nd the heavens open up and I heard a voice say "My son, what I said will be, so always keep your faith in me." Then I said to the Lord, "Will I drown in the sea or weaken like a willow tree?" Then in reply, the Lord said to me, "Stay strong even if you stand alone." So my brothers and sisters, we must have hearts like steel to keep it real, looking up to Gods beautiful grace in surrounding this wicked place. When I hit the dipper 4 the very 1st time I beamed up 2 Scotty - past cloud nine That's when I knew that there wasn't enough I had 2 get more of this "redi roe" stuff On the street they call me a runner But mostly I was a cocaine hunter Search all day 4 that rush_2 my head And get mad cause my money was dead Yeah, the higher I got the lower my paper But I always managed 2 pull off a caper I know that's it 's low-down 2 steal It didn' t matter, I had a crack deal I still get a hooter around if I want it I have 2 stop my own way when l part it Sometimes on purpose I even get broke That's also part of my strength, and it works! Now I can s mile as I walk past the dealers Cause I know dope boys R nothing but killers When I walk past the "dope fiend" puppets I laugh Cause I quit, I'm a quitter I put crack in my past. �STRE E TVIBES February 2002 Dignity by Beth Lake, Student, College of Mount St. Joseph "Our first task in approaching another people, another culture, another religion, is to take offour shoes, for the place we are approaching is holy. Else we may find ourselves treading on another's dream. More serious still, we may forget... that God was here before our arrival." - Author Unknown This quote perfectly explains my time as an Americorps volunteer in Floyd County, Kentucky. I was a Housing Counselor for the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky. My daily "job" was to he lp people fin d the resources, money, or labor to repair their homes. However, on a daily basis I felt more like I was the student, learning valuable life skills and how to see the good in each person. I was immersed in a beautiful culture filled with rich traditions and strong family ties. The Appalachian people I worked with were true to their families and always hospjtab]e to me ... offering a drink or a place to sit for a long chat This experience taught me to listen. I learned to truly open myself to the experiences and people that lay before me. It taught me how to step out of " my shoes" and be open to another's experiences. It taught me the importance of looking each person in the eyes and giving them the dignity that society thinks they do not deserve. It taught me to realize that my ways are not aJways the right ways to do th ings. The homelessness and poverty that exist in F loyd County, KY are extreme and devastating. The living conditions for some people are scarce and meager. However, the culture is rich and beautiful. The people hospitable and loving. The Appalachians, my teacher. Beth Lake in Appalachia Selling out Native Americans, • once again Norton sees no harm in Letting miningfirm destroy sacred lands for foreign profit by Charles Levendosky International mining conglomerates think they have an unfettered right to mine on the public lands that belong to Native Americans, no matter what is destroyed in the process. And so does Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton. Armed with the outdated and industry-hyped 1872 Mining Law, mining companies prevail over other public interests and multiple uses of the public lands - even on those pubJic lands that Congress has set aside to give them greater protection. Seven years ago, Glamis Gold, Ltd., a Canadian-based mining corporation, proposed to carve an 880-foot-deep, mile­ wide, cyanide heap-leach, open­ pit gold mine out of J ,600 acres of a fragile desert ecosystem at Quechan Indian Pass in the Californ ia Desert Conservation Area. After exhaustive review, a permit for the mine was denied by outgoi ng Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt on Jan. 17, 2001. On Nov. 23, Norton withdrew the decision to deny Glamis a mining permit in the area. Norton's action makes the approval of the mine almost inevitable. Apparently, it doesn "t matter to Norton that the proposed mine would destroy American Indian sacred sites, cultural artifacts, trail networks, petroglyphs, ancestral grounds and 55 archaeological sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The 3,000­ member Quechan Tribe, which has lived in this area of the desert for thousands of years, will witness the obliteration of their cultural heritage. Willa Scott, a member of the Quechan Tribe's Culture Co mmittee, has stated, "If these sites are destroyed, we will lose our ability to pass down om beliefs'. .. We will have lost our cultural gatherings, funeral rituals, singing, story-telling and teachings. Without these practices, our people will lose the most imp01tant prut of who we are." Quechan Tribal Council President Mike Jackson Sr., was Page 16 quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Dec. 28, as saying, "The Bush administration is laughing at us. They're saying, 'We don 't give a damn about your history. ' " Apparently, it doesn' t matter that California's two U.S. senators and more than half of the state's congressional delegation sent a letter to Norton urging her to deny the mining permit. The delegation 's letter concludes: "Regardless of the standard that you chose to apply to the proposed mine, the unmitigable environmental and cultural impacts require denial." When the mine was first proposed in the mid- 1990s, Imperial County officials were against the Glamis gold mine, which would be located in their county. Eru·ly in her tenure as interior secretary, Norton criticized Babbitt for not listening to the people in the West who were affected by his Land management decisions and the creation of numerous national monuments. In overturning the denial of the Glamis mine permit, Norton did not consult with the Quechan T1ibe, the California congressional delegation or local officials. T his mine has nothing to do with extracting minerals that are vital to our national security. It has to do with profit - foreign profit. The 25-million acre CDCA was created by Congress in 1976 to protect significant scen ic and biologically important areas in the southeastern corner of the state, including lands in Imperial, San Diego and Los Angeles counties. The conservation area extends from the Mexican border north to Death Valley and the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 20-yeru· old management plan for the Desert Conservation Area was created after one of the most extensive public participatory processes in the history of federal land management. The plan protects the conservation ru·ea with a Limited Use designation. The proposed gold mine is inconsistent wi th that pl an. The conservation area is divided into three federal regions mru1aged by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Defense, respectively. The BLM's management portion of the COCA falls under the agency's Office of National Landscape Conservation System, which was created during the Clinton administration and was supposed to guarantee greater management attention and protection. The focus of the office was to have been conservation. That goal has been subverted under the new administration . A report released in November by two conservation groups, the National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council, concludes that the BLM is fai ling to protect the long-term health of the 264 mHlion acres of public lands under the agency's management. Some agency critics say that the BLM considers mining the highest use of public land. The Department of the Interior's "Manual on Sacred Sites" establishes the "policy, responsibilities, and procedures to accommodate access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites and to protect the physical integrity of such sites." The manual also states that "each bureau or office shall undertake a pe1iodic review of its policies, procedures, rules and regulations to ensure consistency" wi th the above stated purposes and "make any changes necessary to avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of sacred sites." The department's own policy manual is clear. It forbids the destruction of the Quechan Tribe's sacred lands by the proposed gold mine. Accordi ng to the Record of Decision which denied the mine permit, the proposed project "would encompass a mine and processing area, including open pits, waste rock and topsoil stockpiles, haul roads, an electrical substation, distribution lines and associated facilities. Up to 150 million tons of ore would be mined and leached, and an additional 300 million tons of waste rock would be deposited on the site." The gold ore that Glamis wants to mine is low grade. It would require the excavation and processing of 422 tons of rock to produce one ounce of gold. The project would leave behind mounds of toxic mine tailings, up to 30 stories high. The mi.ne's deepest pit, at 880 feet, would never be backfilled. Precious American Indian cultural and religious artifacts would be ravaged beyond any mitigation ­ vandalized for gold. Once these cultural-religious sites are gone, they are gone forever. And what would the Ame1ican people get in return ; if the gold mine were allowed? Nothing. No royalties go into the U.S. Treasury from this foreign exploitation of our public lands. The only beneficiaries of this travesty would be the mine owners. Charles Levendosky is editorial page editor ofthe Casper (ll\ryo.) Star-Tribune. �STRE E TVIB E S F eb ru ary 2002 VEGGIE VIBES SOY MILK 'S POPULARITY INCREASES By Susan Huesken Twenty-eight percent of the U.S. population now drinks soy milk, up from 18% in 1999. according to the U aited Soybean Board. Some of the " reasons" for thi s increase (I believe) are 1) the recent interest in the health promoting benefits of.soy 2) some health problems that have been associated with drinking cows' mi lk 3) questioning of deceptive dairy industries' ads 4) The improved taste and quality of the soy milk products available. "Soy miJk", is the accepted word for a beverage made from soaked, ground soybeans, and I will use it for the rest of the article. But the dairy industry has attempted to make it illegal to identify it on packaging as soy milk, so it most often labeled soy "beverage," or soy "drink". It is interesting that the dairy industry does not have to identify their milk as coming from a cow. It is also funny that coconut milk can be labeled "milk", but the dairy industry probably does not feel threatened that it will take away thejr business. He.a lth Benefits of Soy Milk and Soy In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a claim that soy products (which includes soy mil k) can help lower the risk of heart disease, a find ing that appeared in a 1995 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found that diets rich in soy protein could reduce cholesterol levels by 20%. In 2000 the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association publi shed a major statement in the peer-reviewed journal Circulation, officially recommending the inclusion of 25 grams or more of soy protej n, with Perfect Food" and "Milk, Does a Body Good" have undoubtedly caused much suffering for many Americans with lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is the inability of the body to breakdown the lactose s ugar in milk because of insufficient production of an enzyme called lactase, which diminishes after childhood. Another recent concern over the safety of milk is the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) or commonly called bovine growth hormone (BGH) in the dairy industry. The U.S. allows this controversial hormone to be used in our milk supply with no required labeling. In fact it is even illegal to say "BGH free milk" . Milk from cows treated with BGH have increased levels of IGH-1, one of the most powerful growth factors ever identified. Also, the use of BGH increases infections in cows' udders, so more antibiotics are given, and this causes higher traces of these drugs, as well as pus and bacteria from infected udders to be in the milk. There are cun-ently 80 antibiotics allowed in cows ' milk. By US Here are a few more health federal law, Grade A milk is benefits of soy milk allowed to have over a drop of pus Soy beverages provide more than 10 times as per glass of milk - almost twice much essential fatty acids the international standard. as cows' mi lk, and so Milk products are high on provide a far healthier the food chain and thus may contain high levels of quality of fat. Soy beverages are environmental contaminants. cholesterol-free, while Milk contains more than 25 cows' milk con tains 34 mg proteins that can lead to allergies. While he was chief of Pediatrics at of cholesterol per cup. Soy beverages lower both John Hopkins School of Medicine, total and LDL ("bad") Frank Oski MD said evidence cholesterol levels, while suggests that around 50% of all cows' milk raises both total U.S. chi ldren are allergic to cows' and LDL cholesterol levels. milk, most of these allergies are undiagnosed. Some milk allergy Soy beverages contain numerous protective symptoms include sinus problems, phytochemicals that may diaIThea, constipation, and fatigue protect against cpronic (milk allergies are equally diseases, such as heart common in adults). Milk allergies disease and osteoporosis. are a leading cause of chronic ear infections. Even childhood Cows' milk contains no phytochemicals. authority Dr. Benjamin Spock, Health P roblems Associated with changed his recommendations in his later years and discouraged Cows' Milk and Deceptive Advertising giving children milk; thi s The dairy industries' catchy recommendation is included in his slogans like "Milk, Nature's most recently updated book. its associated phytochemicals intact (i.e., not in the form of an isol ated soy protein supplemen t), in the daily diet as a means of promoting heart health. Soy also shows promise in the prevention and treatment of hormone-related cancers, especiall y prostate cancer. Men who consume one to two servings of soymilk per day are 70 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who don· t. Although the mechanism by which soy may reduce cancer risk is unknown, soy isoflavones, which are weak estrogens, can sup press the actio n of the more potent human form of estrogen. These isoflavones also inhibit an enzyme linked to tumor growth. Soy has also been shown to inhibit bone deterioration and favorab ly affects calcium metabolism, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Many premenopausal women are also consuming soy milk because of its phytoestrogens, which can mimic estrogen and may help lessen such symptoms as hot flashes. '5treefvibes: A proud member of the North Amerit:.an 45treet Newspaper AssoGiation '2-epresentin9 over ?o street newspapers throughout the United 't>tates and C.anada www. spea~eas1 .orglnasna P age 17 How many times in your life have your heard that you need to drink milk to build strong bones? The dairy industry has constantly bombarded us with these types of ads and presently they are claiming that you need to drink milk to prevent osteoporosis. B ut you never see such claims on a carton of milk because the FDA won't allow it. Only statements backed up by facts are allowed. You might be surprised to learn that most Asian countries, until recently, consumed little or no dairy products, and yet have had a much lower incidence of osteoporosis than people in the United States. Al so that only 35% of the adult population worldwide drinks cows' milk. The countries that have the highest consumption of dairy products: Finland, Sweden, U nited States and England, have the highest rates of osteoporosis and that the daily calcium intake for African Americans is more than l ,OOOmg compared to only 196mg for Sou th Africans, but African Americans have 9 times greater hip fracture rates than do South Africans. G reat Tasting Soy Milks Soy milks have really improved in taste from their early days and many of the brands sold are fortified with caJcium, vitamins A, D and other nutrients such as B 12, which is important if you eat a vegan diet. According to Marilyn Gordon, registered dietitian at Memorial Regional Hospital, if you use soy milk as a milk substitu te you should read the label carefully and make sure it's been fortified and contains 30% of the daily requirement for calcium. You should also follow the recommended 2 or 3 servings per day. If you are using it to get some of the benefits of soy, being fortified is not as important. lnstead of opting for a plain g lass of soy milk, many are turning toward flavored soy milk: Coffee with mocha-flavored soy milk, cereal with vanilla flavored soy milk, pancakes with almond flavored, smoothies with the strawberry flavored. Peaches, bluebe1Ty, orange and banana... the list of flavored soy milk goes on. But be aware that these flavored soy milk usually contain more calories and sugar Remember there are many brands to choose from and each have different nutritional values and taste and that whenever a new food is introduced it may take some time to adjust to the different taste. Psychologists have shown that trying a new food ten times can actually make your taste buds crave it. So drink up ...and enjoy! �STREETVIBES February 2092 an effect of "teaching to the test." In Texas, students are also under the gun to. pass a basic skills test that is first administered in the 8th grade. Student who don't pass tl)e test don 't get a diploma. However, neariy all of the students by Doug Mann · who stay in ·school through their With massive bipartisan . ' senior ye~r eventually pass the test. support, Congress passed the Bush A sim ilar high stakes Education Plan, which will require testing program was introduced !n public schools to administer basic Minnesota in the 1995-1996 school ski lls tests in math and reading to '. year, the Minnesota Basic students in grades 3 to 8 by the Standards Test. As happened in 2005-2006 school year. Poor Texas, the percentage of students performing schools that don't who passed.this high stakes test on show improvement will face the first try increased from year.:.to­ sanctions, including the Joss of year, u·p to a certain point. And federal funding in some cases. high school push-out rates and Congress also increased scores on academic aptitude tests funding for the Title I program changed very little. from $18.5 billion this year to A FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER $26.5 billion next year. Title I CREATED BY POST-1983 money follows students who SCHOOL REFORMS qualify for free and reduced price In the Minneapolis (MN) lunches. The average subsidy, now Public Schools, the high school about $2,000 per student should increase to about $3,000 next year. push-out rate has been about 50% Private schools may receive Title I for all students entering the 9th grade, and well over 60% for funds. Poor performing public African-American and American schools almost invariably have a high concentration of students who Indian students. The push.:.out rate for poor whites is closer to 50%. are eligible for free and reduced­ An analysis of data reported to the price lunches. Minnesota Department of In.some cases, the Bush Children, Families and Learning Education Plan calls for the suspension of tenure rights at poor indicates that for students excluded from college preparatory tracks in performing schools, i.e., teachers the Minneapolis Public Schools, may be fired for cause without the right of appeal (due process). This the on-time graduation rate is less than 20% and the push-out rate is enhancement of management close to 70 per cent. Here I assume rights is known as 'fresh sta11' that over 90% of the college authority. However, many of these preparatory students graduate on schools are already run like banana time and pass the MBST on the republics precisely because most first try (On time graduation rates of the teachers are inexperienced and initial MBST pass rates are and do not have tenure rights. Teachers employed long enough to that high in many school districts). About 25% of all students entering acquire tenure rights (typically 3 the 9th grade in 1995, and over years) ordinarily do not stay at or 50% of those who received their bid into such schools, especially if diploma in 1998 were on a coJlege they run the risk of being "fresh preparatory curriculum track. started" by doing so. That the Minneapolis Bush's Education Plan is Public Schools went too far in part of a school reform program dumbing down the c;urriculum for designed to better meet the needs its work readiness students is of employers. reflected by the fact that nearly Bush's plan to fix poor 25% of African-American students performing schools has already are diagnosed with some type of been tried in Texas and other Emotional-Behavioral Disorder states, with mixed results. Scores and enrolled in a special education on the basic skills tests almost program (The national average is invariably improve, but generally without raising scores on academic less than 3%). Ordinarily, special aptitude tests and without lowering education students with a EBD diagnosis are at least two years high-sc~ool dropout /push-out behind academically, e.g., a rates. The Houston branch of the nonreader in the third grade. NAACP (National Association for Typically the treatment for the Advancement of Colored EBD consists of psychoactive People) reports a high school "dropout" rate of 40% for African­ drugs and home interventions by social workers. Uncooperative American students, presumably in the Houston area (source: Houston parents ai·e frequently stripped of their parental rights. NAACP branch web site). The THE POST-1983 SCHOOL high school push-out rate for REFORM MOVEMENT African-American students The Minneapolis Public nationwide is about 20%. These School system is a Frankenstein mixed results can be explained as BUSH'S EDUCATION AGENDA Page 18 monster created by the school reform movement spearheaded by the Reagan and Bush administrations during the 1980s. Their propaganda offensive was launched with a 1983 report caJled "A Nation at Risk," which claimed that the educational establishment had lowered the bar for high achievers .in orqer to dose the aca9emic ac.hjevement gap betweeq. ~tudents . Many school districts that differentiated the curriculum througli ~l?iUty­ grouping (tracking) during the 1960s began to eliminate their nonacademic tracks in· the 1970s and early 1980s, especially in the elementary school s. Evidently, the first Bush administ~·ation believed its own propaganda about 'a rising tide of mediocrity' in America's public schools. It commissioned the Sandia National. Laboratories to .. do . an intensive review of educational data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics of the US Department of Education. It was a very auth01itative study. The Sandia Report flatly contradicted the premise of "A Nation at Risk." High achievers actually made significant gains during the 1970s and early 1980s. Desegregation and the elimination of nonacademic curricul~m tracks had improved outcomes for all classes of students, especially poor and nonwhite students. T he Sandia Report was completed in 1990 and suppressed by the first Bush administration. It was eventually released by the Clinton administration, and largely ignored. (Berliner and Biddle, 1995, The Manufactured Crisis, page 26.) To improve educational outcomes for a majority of public school students, it will be necessary to undo some of the "reforms" can"ied out during the Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush IT administrations, especially tracking students into nonacademic programs. However, the capitalist class will not approve of such a counter-reform movement. Once set in motion, it would be hard to stop. It would destroy a number of myths about the presumed stupidity of most workers, especially black workers. WHY VOUCHERS ARE NOT THE ANSWER I think that a huge majority of parents want their kids to get an education that prepares them for college. However, in most urban school districts, academic/college preparatory programs are reserved for a fairly small minority of children who are designated as academically gifted and talented. That's why urban school districts are losing their "market share" of students to private school and public schools in the suburbs. G.W. Bush, like his father before him, says he wants to give parents greater freedom to chose the school their childfen attend. That's where vouchers come in. Vouchers make it possible for many poor and " middle class" kids to attend private, college preparatory schools. It's a means of escape from the public school system. Naturally,' vouchers have a strong appeal to parents who want to pull theiT kids from the public schools or have already done so. However, with a voucher program, what you end up with is an even Jess equitable distribution of educational resources than you ordinarily have in the public school system. For example, in Cleveland, many of the best private schools don't accept vouchers because very few of the parents who are eligible to use them can affqrd the tuition. The best schools that are accessible to students frotn low-income famil ies are generally religious schools, the bulk of which are run by the Roman Catholic Church. The schools that were set up to accommodate many of the students who are fleeing the public schools, also known as 'voucher schools,' are usually pretty revenue-challenged. 'Disadvantaged' students may actually be worse off in most of the 'voucher schools' than they were in the public schools. With a voucher program, the units of government that pay for the public schools are actually shifting some of the educational costs to parents. That leaves more tax dollars for corporate welfare programs, like giving away baseball stadiums to billionaires. CONCLUSION The public school system is stratified in order to prepare children for their future roles in the work force or prison system. It is in the interests of the capitalist class to keep it that way because a large pool of undereducated workers competing for low-wage jobs gives employers a means to bid down wages across-the-board. The fight for a quality, public education for all can only be ca~ried through to the end by the working class organized through a labor party with a socialist program. The working class has no interest in preserving the capitalist system, which is based on economic exploitation and nourished by racism, sexism, and heterosexism. And a fundamental change in the social order will require a fundamental change in the educational system. �STREETVIBES February 2002 Page 19 News From the National Coalition for the Homeless National Coalition for the Homeless 1012 14th St. Nw, Washington DC 20005-3406 Tel: 2021737-6444 Fax: 737-6445 Email: info@nationalhomeless.org · Website: http:// www.nationalhomeless.org Nominations Sought­ Buddy Gray Award for Homeless Activism This annual award is given to an individual or group who has been most effective io advocating on behalf of people who are home.less or living in poverty. The individual or group must have been involved in advocacy for at least five years. The award honors the late Buddy Gray who was a tirel~ss homeless activist in Cincinnati for many years, aJong with serving on the NCH board of dfrectors. Who Was Buddy Gray? Buddy began working with low income and homeless people in the Over-the-Rhine area in Cincinnati in the early 1970's. He developed a number of non-profit organizations focusi ng on emergency shelter, supportive services, and permanent housing. He was the key person who stood up for the rights of low income people in conservative Cincinnati. He was a mentor to a number of homeless/formerly homeless people (including Donald Whitehead, executive director of NCH). He died in 1996. The people he mentored are now leaders continuing on with the work and programs that Buddy Gray started. He was also a founding board member of the National Coalition for the Homeless and his influence is felt on the organization even in 2002. The National Coalition for the Homeless gives this annual award at its spring national board meeting in Washington, D.C. Please take the time to nominate an individual or group for the Buddy Gray Award for Homeless Activism. Self­ nominations are allowed. Send a cover letter (regular mail, fax or email) along with supporting documentation (e.g. news clippings) to: National Coalition for the Homeless, Attn: Michael Stoops 1012 14th St., NW; #600 Washington, DC 20005-3471 Fax: 202-737-6445; Email: mstoops@ nationalhomeless.org For questions about the award, call (202) 737-6444 x19 In your cover letter, please answer the following questions. 1. Why is this individual or group being nominated for the Buddy Gray Award? Please detail the nominee's personal and professional history, volunteer work, work with homeless/low income-people and homeless advocacy groups. You may submit up to three news clippings about the nominee. No resumes please. 2. How does this individual or group's work exemplify the legacy of Buddy Gray? Deadline: Postmarked March I , 2002 The recipient will receive a plaque, $100 honorarium, and travel expenses to attend the award ceremony in Washington, DC Education Update Congress Passed Final FY 2002 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved the FY 2002 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill on December l 91h and 20th, respectively. The bill calls.for $950 million in adult training funds and $ 1.549 billion in dislocated worker funds under the Workforce !!)vestment Act (WIA). These funding levels exceed funding requests made by the Bush Adminjstratioo earlier this year. The Administration recommended reducing adult training funds to $900 million, and dislocated worker funds to $1.38 billion dollars. In FY 2001 , adult training was funded at $950 mi1lion, and dislocated workers at $1.59 billion, prior to the rescission of $110 million in FY 2001 dislocated worker funds. None of this is to say that this sufficient funding. The final bill did not include a repeal of that rescission of dislocated worker funds passed by Congress in July. A hoped-for inclusion in a Senate bill of additional WIA funds, primarily targeted to dislocated workers, did not occur. Congress may revisit economic stimulus legislation when they return in January. U.S. Conference of Mayors Report Point to Sharp Increase in Homelessness You may access this report online at the following url: http://usmayors.org/uscmlnewsl press_releasesldocuments/ hunger_121 /OJ.asp Election Day 2002 Just A Year Away Yes, another election will soon be here. The National Coalition for the Homeless is gearing up for the November,. 2002 elections with the "You Don't Need A Home To Vote" national voter rights and nonpartisan registration campaign. The campaign seeks to protect and promote a homeless person's right to' vote, and ensuring that people who are homeless maintain an active role and voice in shaping their future. The campaign uses a five­ pronged strategy of registration, education, get-out the-vote, state and federal legislation, and litigation. Dates to remembers in 2002: Sept. 22-28-NationaJ Homeless Voter Registration Week October:-Local candidate forums on homelessness, housing, hunger and poverty issues Nov. 5-Election Day-get-out­ the-vote drives Since the inception of the campaign in 1992, thousands of homeless citizens have been registered to vote. To receive the 2002 campaign packet (complete with a new poster), send $12 (covers shipping and handling) to NCH. Questions about the campaign, contact: Michael Stoops (202) 737-6444 x 19 mstoops@nationalhomeless.org Write Us .... We'd like to hear from you I Send letters or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com, or write the Coalition office attn : Streetvibes Letters, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 "Think globally... but fire locally." �= Need Help or Want to Help? If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. If you need more information, ca/1421 :7803 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women's Shelter 872-9259 1-888-872-9259 (Toll Free) Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome House 859-431-8717 Women's Crisis Center 859-491-3335 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission Garden St. House Joseph House (Veterans) St. Francis/St.Joseph House Mt. Airy Center Volunteers of Amer. SHELTER: Both Caracole (AIDS) 241-5525 241-0490 241-2965 381-4941 661-4620 381-1954 761-1480 Chabad House 821-5650 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John's Housing 651-6446 HOUSING: CMHA Excel Development Miami Purchase OTA Housing Net. ReSTOC Tender Mercies Tom Geiger House 721-4580 632-7149 241-0504 369-0004 381-1171 639-7056 961-4555 TREAIME~T; WQm~a First Step Home 961-4663 TREATMENT: M~n Charlie's 3/4 House Prospect House Starting Over 784-1853 921-1613 751-3260 TREATMENT: BQth 820-2947 N.A. Hopeline A.A. Hotline 861-9966 381-6660 C.C.A.T. Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc. 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 ROHS HARDWARE Help . is Just 2.99 Rround the Corner 2" x 60 Yds. ~~ 0 Duct Tape ~ ·~ !$' «~ ~~~& Pledge Grab-It Q;)ftj ~ $81ess$8 ~~ 0 Mail-In Rebate 1403 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 - "" - ~..,04.""7 ,....l / ~ '~{ -t; - . u.. ;,_/ ·:. ....y : ; ~ ~ . .,. ;,· / .. ··, : ~· 9Jf7 : \~ ,:,~ ~ • 8pieceScrew­ driver Set OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity 621-5991 Center Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 . Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 241 -2563 Emanuel Center Freestore/Foodbank 241-1064 771-4800 Goodwill Industries G.C. Coalition for the Homeless 421 -7803 Hamilton Co. Mental 621-7149 Health Board Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-3619 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect ­ Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 Advertise il STREETVIBESI Call 421-7803 fer rates ard infcrrootial � 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 2002 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 February 2002 Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Panhandling for Justice Pg 2: A Human Investment Pg 3: ReSTOC Leads Development on Vine Street Pg 4: Reader Mail Pg 5: Greater Cincinnati coalition for the Homeless Welcomes New Staff Members Pg 6: Know Your Rights- Do the Poor have the Right to Free Speech? Pg 7: Welcome to Cincinnati, Ms. Lemmie Pg 8: Prisoners News Pg 9: Michael Henson Receives Kerouac Prize for Poetry Pg 10: National Release of Criminalization Report Pg 11: Ursuline Student Talks About Her Positive Streetvibes Encounter Pg 12: Editorials Pg 13: Postage Stamps a Measure of Patriotism Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Pg 16: Dignity Selling Out Native Americans, Once Again Pg 17: Veggie Vibes Pg 18: Bush’s Education Agenda Pg 19: News from the National Coalition for the Homeless 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 February 2002 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Alicia Beck Meghan Clarke Molly Lyons Mary Taylor John Halpin Cheryl Ware Jimmy Heath Jerome Manigan Mike Henson Susan Huesken P.J. Beth Lake Mr. Lee Gary Lehman John Perrotti Riccardo Taylor Bill Tinker Anthony Watkins Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alicia Beck Anthony Watkins Arts & Poetry Beth Lake Bill Tinker Bush Cheryl Ware Cincinnati Criminalization Democrat Editorials education Evangelist Free Speech Gary Lehman GCCH Human Investment Jerome Manigan Jimmy Heath John Halpin John Perrotti Justice LA Martin Luther King Jr. Mary Taylor Meghan Clarke Michael Henson Mike Henson MLK Molly Lyons Mr. Lee Ms. Lemmie National Coalition for the Homeless Native American P.J. panhandling prisoners news Reader Mail ReSTOC Riccardo Taylor San Francisco Santa Cruz Street View Susan Huesken Veggie Vibes Vine Street Washington Park https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/1429853b05c1b70a4d15ea16d8f4282d.pdf 0311bbbb734bdbace4d52258bafdd928 PDF Text Text 1 ST tEET IBES Your Progressive News Source B UY FROM BADGED VENDORS 0NLY JANUARY 2002 Greater Cincinnati coalition for the Homeless �,,._ I . Cover Story No Dimes to Spare vendors is attacking anything but the reaJ issues. If panhandlers aren't the City Council is at it again. reason that no one's going Six years after passing two downtown, what is? I'd suggest a ordinances which limited riot, a panhandling activity and summer of prohibited sitting on downtown shootings sidewalks during certain hours, in and thrne years after these two . neighboring laws were overturned as Over-the­ unconstitutional in United States District Court, the mayor has asked Rhine, the the City Solicitor's office to draft a September 11 terrorist new anti-panhandling ordinance. attacks, a Panhandlers and slowing Streetvibes vendors were economy, practically labeled as terrorists at and a the December 4 meeting of boycott, Council's law committee. The not to mayor went as far.as accusing mention Streetvibes of destroying expensive downtown. Downtown business parking owners ominously warned that and less panhandlers were permanently retail scaring tourists and suburbanites opportunities away from the city. Jim Tarbell than a called Homeless Coalition suburban executive director Alicia Beck a "Hyde Park bureaucrat" and ranted mall. So why blame the that she and homeless service homeless? Because most of the providers were the root cause of problems facing Cincinnati, this grave crisis facing downtown. especially th.is city's racial issues Anyone with a bit of sense which we seem particularly inept could see these charades of policy­ making for what they really are: an at solving, have no easy solutions. So when you can't do anything attempt to pretend something, about the real problem, find anything, is being done about the fact that downtown Cincinnati is in somebody to bully - in th.is case the homeless. trouble. Unfortunately, attacking I'm not sayin_g that there panhandlers and Streetvibes by John Halpin as might be the case. The world of the &treet is one of "do or die" for the most part. Most often you react to the situation as it comes along, doing what is necessary at 'that moment. The harsh reality of the street life helps to prepare the street person for "come what may" in a sense of speaking. So there are no real resolutions as one might declare in a New Year. Life tends to go on in the world of the street by Riccardo M. Taylor person - changes are few and far in between. The reality of the street With the coming of the stays with the street person New Year there are of course new constantly, without recess or hopes and new roads to travel. restraint. The hardships are real and the toll a territorial fact. The For the homeless this may not be the case in light of their situation, winter is perhaps the hardest at least from a positive or season for the street person with its constructive sense. In the world cold and snow causing for the most part discomfort and unavailability of the homeless there is not a lot of room for conjecture or planning for the many resources that help to Street View aren't valid concerns about aggressive panhandlers in the downtown area. We already have ·an ordinance that makes aggressive panhandling illegal, and no one should be harassed for money. .And I'm not saying that downtown business owners shouldn 't be concerned about the viability of the central business district. But the current debate goes further than that. It's not just the aggressive panhandlers that are a problem , it's any panhandler, the very presence of the poor and marginalized on our sidewalks and streets. In th.is situation· any low-income person, especially the homeless, are being marketed as a threat to public safety so that when they are removed from the streets - poqf! ­ the danger is gone. If we want a viable downtown, we need to work on the myriad issues that affect Cincinnati's future, from the simple issues of parking to the complex issues of racism and discrimination. And if we don ' t make life a bit easier for the street person. Often it's harder to get around so that many opportunities are missed, or there may be closings which effect the immediate needs of the street person, this due to weather conditions, etc. So in my opinion, one has to make some reservations for their successful passing through the winter and eventual change in status. Again for ~e street person there is no planning, however there are areas that have to be formulated in order to ultimately reach that status change if one desires to go there. This would in fact have to be accomplished through some sort of goal setting. The street person needs to create some short-term goal which is reasonable within his or hers n;ieans or time allotment. That want homeless people on the streets - which none of us do - the only way to get people off the streets is to provide them with affordable housing, supportive · services, health care, living wage jobs, and adequate public assistance. Criminalizing their very presence and their status as homeless people only pushes the problem out of sight. In Clark v. Cincinnati, the case which overturned Cincinnatj's last anti-panhandling ordinance, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jack Sherman, Jr., cited another district court dealing with a simiJar issue and addressed the fundamental right of the poor and homeless to exist on our streets, particularly when exercising their First Amendment rights through panhandling. "City streets are a ; public forum, one of the few remaining democratic spaces where the conventioneer, the gawking tourist, the eager consumer, the city resident, and the needy may mingle freely. Under these ordinances, city authorities claim the power to remove from this public forum those that through the exercise of their First Amendment rights .. .make the rest of us uncomfortable. The speech of the needy around us may well be subjectively felt as an unwelcome intrusion by some, but the expressive freedom guaranteed by the Constitution has never been costless." The courts have spoken. But is City Council listening? would be the initial step, and of course fortitude in carrying out the necessary task for realizing those goals would come next. A lot would depend on the person's willingness and perseverance in View.... Cont. on page 3 Inside Streetvibes GREATER CiNCINNATI CO~LITION PORTH ·HOMILISS �• STREETVIBES January 2002 STREETVIBES T he Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Streetvibes, the Tri-State's Homeless Gra~vioe, is a newspa­ ~r written byt for, and aJ;pot homelessness, social justice, and poverty-related issues__ 'It:is putilished onee a month by the Greater ~ti Coalition for ._Hom~. ,. Becomqrg as~ , Vendor is~ grea\ way for home­ 1~ ind odler10w-mcome people to pt back·on (or stay oli) their feet. Str.eeJv.ibn 'Vendors.are. given1JQ orient:ation and sign a code-of co~ct · being ~i~~IPa Stte~~ · tbad#~ Greltter Cmcinnati CoW;tjOn/qr tht Homeless·is a group of shelters, agencies and ·"m individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public ano grassroot~ organizing>~ GCCHStatT Executive Director Alicia Beck Mary Taylor Receptionist John Hatpin Ameri~2res* Vista Molly Lyons Amerie9rps* :Vi~ta Streetvibes Staff Jimmy Heath Page 2 Streetvibes : A H uITian InvestITient The History of Streetvibes: Streetvibes began in 1996, as a one page insert in the Cleveland Grapevine, Cleveland's street newspaper. Then in 1997, with a grant from the SC Ministries Foundation, Streetvibes began its own independent publication. The initial printing was 500. Currently, the paper distributes 6­ 8,000 Streetvibes monthly. In addition to the vendors, Streetvibes has a subscription base of 300, and many are given away to schools and civic".organizations. Streetvibes is now active member (and an original founding member) of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) that includes street newspapers from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico and Nova Scotia. There is also a large street newspaper .!'°ovement in Europe which maintains connections with NASNA. How Streetvibes works: Streetvibes has one part-time, formerly homeless staff member, the editor. The editor, with contributions from vendors, staff an and community people, prod uces the monthly 20 page publication. The physical layout of the paper is done on a computer in the Coalition office and the copy is sent to a local printer for printing. The vendors buy the paper from The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless for twenty cents each. The twenty cents helps to cover printing costs, editor's salary, photography and supplies. There are two donated computers available to the vendors in the ·Coalition office so that they may write stories, access the internet, and work on their resumes. Streetvibes is subsidized by donations and general funds from the Homeless Coalition. The vendors in tum, distribute the paper on the streets of Cincinnati, requesting a $1 donation in return. How the vending program works: People are referred to the Streetvibes vending program from area shelters but most often come through the Homeless Coalition's doors because of word of mouth. · The Coalition has specific times and days when new vendor • Editor-in-Chief Writers Alicia Beck Cm:nelius Douglas Diane Oriffin David Goins Jim.my Heath John Halpin Vendor: 80 cents .l!bo~hers Jimmy Neath, Jerop:i.eiMl)nigan, Ken Skirtz ·· ' Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, photos.... We will give prefer­ ence to those who &re homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be purchased for .$15 per year. do Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 . (513) 421-7803 fax (513) 421-7813; e-mail: streetvibes@j uno.com web page: http ://cinci.com/gcch Where ·Your Dollcir Goes Mike Henson Derrick Johnson Rabbi Michael Lerner Molly Lyons Robert Manassa JeromeJ. Manigan Marc Mauer Jordan M . Pleasant Delia Sizler Kenneth D. Smith Ian Stevenson Shelby Stone Rodney Sutton Riccardo Taylor Kathy Y. Wilson BrendaZechmeister oriehtation is provided and the potential vendor must make an appointment to sign up for the program. This orientation includes a discussion of sales methods, the vendor code of conduct, (that the vendor must agree to and sign) and an overview of incentives, encouraging vendors to contribute to the newspaper. The Vendors have a monthly meeting to discuss concerns/issues of the vendors and the staff. The meeting is generally held the first day of the month when the new issue of Streetvibes is released. The meeting provides a forum for vendors to help direct and provide input for the content of the paper. In addition, the vendor program helps homeless and low-income people connect with services that they may need - housing, treatment, assistance with bill$, counseling and encouragement. For some people living on the streets, the Homeless Coalition and the Streetvibes program provides a first point of contact to services and assistance. Printing and Production: 20 cents The Streetvibesprogram maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more informa­ tion about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Vendor Code Each vendor has to sign the following code to be able to sell the paper. 1. Streetvibes will be distributed for a $ 1 voluntary collecting for the "homeless" in general. I will be donation . I agree not to ask for donations of more honest in stating that all the profits from the sale of Streetvibes.will go to the individual vendor. than $ 1. I also understand th at I will be able to 8. I will always p~esent my badge when purchasing keep 80 cents of each dollar collected . Future papers, and I will display my badge at all times issues of Streetvibes will be purchased from the while vending. Replacement badges are $ 1 each. H omeless Coalition for 20 cents. 9. There a; e no territories. I agree that I will not 2. Streetvibes may only be p urchased from the contest territories with other distributors. I will GCCH . Purchasing or selling unauthorized not sell on private property without permission. papers, or from other vendors, will result in termi­ 10. I understand chat Streetvibes strives to be a self­ nation from the program. supporcing paper created by people who are 3. I agree th at I will not ask for donations or attemp t homeless or formerly homeless. To help in this ro vend after 12 midnight. effort, I will try to spread the word and write 4 . I agree to treat others with respect - other vendors, stories if possible. customers, and GCCH p ersonnel. 5. l will n ot sell Streetvibes while un.der the influence. 11. I understand that failure to com ply wi th any of the 6. I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel above statemen ts w ill result in termination from the Streecvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves threatened. the right to terminate a vendor at any time as 7 . I agree n ot to deceive the p ublic by saying that I am collecting for a not-for-profit charity or c_tiac I am deemed appropriate: �Local News STREETVIBES January 2002 Page 3 Cincinnati a "disservice" by "arming" homeless folks witb newspapers. He's referring to Streetvibes, the monthly paper published by the GCCH covering homelessness and poverty-related issues sold by trained, badge­ wearing homeless people (or a o ne dollar donation. Vendors get tq k;eep ~O. cents of each gollar they bring in. The re&Lgoes to the. pa,pe(s admini~tratj,v ~ c.o sts apd ptber . overhead. . . .' Tp ~ exis~enpe. an.st selling o(S,rreet)!ibes i~ the manifestation the A.m e.Gean ~ork eth~c t:\1£!t, ironicajl)';,,~ti-homeless an.9 anti­ panhandling n~ysayers accuse .the ~fote)TI~-qtioned of neing withouJ. It speaks to professional -. disposition,.entreP.reneurslµp and a real bootstrap mentality that are the collective antithesis of what we think homelessness is. For my (literal) money, I'd rather be hit up by someone with wares to sell. For the panhandled, exchanging a buck for a tangible item makes the quandary of "whatare theydoinwithmymoney?" easier to swallow. For vendors selling Streetvibes, "panhandling" is a job. In this respect they're no different than hot dog vendors and the people s~lling all that loud, garish stuff during Jazz Festival weekend. For Luken to say newspaper vendors are "armed'" and doing us a "disservice" is a revelation of his shortsightedness and cultural alienation. Why not leave it up to Joe '\pd Jane Schmoe as to whether they'd like to purchase a paper? Or is the idea that a " working" citizen just might have a conversation with a "panhandler" frightening to our public officials? I buy Streetvibes when I can, just like a whole bunch of other people. And when I can't, I look a vendor In the face and say either1 " No, thank you,'.' or, "I' ve got .o ne already." How difficult is that exactly? Between the lines of all this brouhaha over the "panhandler qu~s~on" is the subliminal picture painted.by d.eµ~<;:: tors that panhandlers love,wh~t they do .and that.there's glamour in.beggii;ig .all · daY, long. True, there are pan'1andlers who are sane, able-bodied, free from addiction and might very well be drawing some -type of monthly assistance. For them, panhandling is a way to get over. But even to that extreme, think about just how much they' re getting over financially. Oh, the motherload of coins they dump onto their beds at night boggles the mind! They probably get naked and roll around on them until every penny s·ticks to their skin! Let's get real. Panhandling in Cincinnati comes down to what every other issue in Cincinnati comes down to - class. Panhandling is classless, it's dirty, it's degrading, it's humiliating and it's uncomfortable. And I haven' t even gotten to what it mus~ be like for panhandlers. Ridding city streets of panhandlers has little to do with business fallout or safety and everything to do with aesthetics and how uncomfortable many people feel about dirty people asking for money. I'll admit it's hard for me to ignore a panhandler as I clutch a frothy $3 coffee drink and a $7 bag of lunch or after I've just paid $5 to $7Jo,park my car. See, those are all amenities and not . necessities. I'm not trying to guilt anyone into anything. When it comes down to you and the panhand!~r,.Jhink ab.o ut your own coqifort _ l~vel and give up the coinage ·or don ), .Ii you don' t, try not .to V?!ilk .aw~y b.ad-mouthing the homeless for .somethin-g the mayor is trying to. socialize you into believing. Hey, if we real.ly gave this some thought, we'd all go down to Saks Fifth Avenue and panhandle them for some designer gear by Ralph Lauren, Prada, Gucci, Calvin Klein or Tommy Hilfiger. And maybe we'd get hair done for free, too. Oh, never mind. Saks already panhandled us for $6.6 million. I understand if you don't have any spare change for the homeless. This article originally appeared in City Beat magazine, December 13 -17. Special thanks to John Fox and Kathy Y. Wilson for granting permission to reprint. Also many thanks to the City Beat stafffor putting together gift packages for our vendors. of the community. The idea that a New Year is upo·n us brings about new hopes, as well as, new challenges. · Personally, I would just hope that the sense that they wish to make the network which helps the street change. person expands or becomes Of course, there is no stronger (as more people become absolute guarant~e that one will be involveq or give their support in successful even at this, yet success · tangible ways). This is a very is counted in striving as well as essential component in the gain. What I'd like to project in resource area for the street person presenting that idea is that even if who bas to grow and otherwise one does not reach his full become more substantiated. potential or object outcome from I would suggest that each their endeavor, they have the individual pers.o n in our necessary experience from the community do their part in helping endeavor which may be just the to realize this ache of homelessness key to future attempts in that that effects us all in some way. I direction. believe that there can be a change My overall point is that one in· the whole arena of the homeless has to put themselves in a positi.on situation if we as a community put for change or growth if there is to our efforts toward changing the be any hope for change to occur. way things are. It takes a lot, yet Then there is still that cruc ial not so much if our hearts are in it. component whic h is essential to So for the New Year let us all any success for the street person gather together and make some who is trying to help themselves or realistic contribution for those who otherwise change. That are less fortunate. To give of component is the outside support oneself for the betterment of all is the resolution we all need to make for the New Year. I wou ld like to give thanks for all who have assisted me this last past year. In recent months I have made some very important . transitions. I have come from living on the streets to permanent housing, and I have to give both thanks and appreciation for al~ who have been of help. I have been told that for the most part it was I who made the necessary steps in realizing this transition. However, I know that without the encouragement and support of those who believe in me or otherwise gave me the opportunity to make things happen in my life, I would not have been able to get to where I am. Last but not least I have to give thanks to our readers who like the other people who have lent me their support have been a corner stone in my newly created world, much thanks to you all. May this be a glorious New Year for all. Street Life By Kathy Y. Wilson, City Beat Magazine Panhandlers are a nuisance. Panhandlers are necessary. It's that time again when people are debating the very presence of panhanqlers. In doing so, the lifeline of downtown's . economic pulse always seems to come into question. If I come . downtown, will I be harassed? . Should I make eye contaqt or.:keep walking? If l pull ·mo(ley qut,. will I be robbed? Why,can~t they ju~t get a job? " . ·, ... To some politicifills, {, pencilnecks and business owners alike, the answer to all panhandling-related questions is: They're killing business, so get rid of 'em. Mayor Charlie Luken himself has drafted one of his infamously terse one-liners to the City Solicitor's Office: "I move that the Solicitor 's Office draft an anti-panhandling ordinance that sets panhandling restrictions as strict as possible, consistent with constitutional guarantees." I read that as: Wear down the dirty little buggers with as much harassment as possible without blatantly stepping on their constitutional rights. The mayor sends another bouquet of love to the homeless at Christmas time, claiming the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) is doing Street View... Cont. from page 1 1 of om Deadline for the February, 2002 edition of STREETVIBES is Monday, Januay 14th. OISC .JOCKEY SEl "VlCE Cli£.ford Jones (513) 761-3464 0£fice t ~\>0\.ne ~-mail: jonesaCV (513) 230-6353 • ww-.._ ry·c· Voicemail ~C'ilJ c:P. '>91 ticxchang,e- �Reader Mail STREETVIBES January 2002 The Lighting of Washington Park Reader Mail We would lllce to hear from you - please address letters and comments to by Diane Griffin, GED student, and Mark Fries, tutor, Urban Appalachian Council Street'11bes, 1506 Elm Street, Onclnnatl Ohio 45210 (or) email to: Street'11bes@Juno.com Dear Streetvibes, Panhandllng is still alive and well in downtown Dayton since last year when they passed a city ordinance again~t panhandling and requiring a registration card. It seems it is increasing since I've been asked several ti mes in the last two months. I got registered for a panhandling card just in case I was going to be asking for donations for the Streetvibes newspapers early this year and fo r anyone else who may ask. They check your record (which takes a hal f hour), give you the rul es and policies (which is similar to the Streetvibes Vendor Code o f Conduct and fingerprint you (which I felt made you feel like a criminal!). I don ' t think they should fingerprint you thinking · that part of "registering" is necessary. They definately don't ask or state if you have a choice. Your name and social security number and birthdate and description are on the back of the card. On the front is your picture (they take good pictures) with a notice that this card is not to be used of identification purposes. Funny thing is, last month, I couldn ' t find my d1ivers license right away (misplaced) and this social worker accepted the panhandling card when I asked her if the card would help. So something good came out of registering. See you later., Carla The lighting of Washington Park was a Christmas light-up event held Saturday evening December 8••. It represented the people of Cincinnati coming together for Over-the-Rhine (OTR) and the city at large. There were about 400 glowing white bags along the pathways of the park. The trees glistened with what seemed like thousands of twinkling white lights clipped to every twig of the 40-foot tall trees. As a working mother raising my 10 year-old son, Derrick in OTR, the luminary show held several meanings for me. First, we must be reminded of the homeless people w ho sleep in th e park each night. We need to help them in tangible ways each day. Then we must be reminded of our need for love, emotional support and food even if we are not homeless . In the spirit of Christmas, we are always thankful that people who have more give to those with less. But what of us who make small incomes? We can give to each other from what we have also. Small kindnesses are just as important as large gifts. Remember that it is very good to receive. But like Jes us said, "It is better to give". My final reflection is on the children who play in Washington Park. Their innocent . fun brings out the feelings of God 's love through an innocent baby, Jesus. When the playground at the school in Washington Park is full of acti vity, it's a symphony that will make you smile and laugh. The children's co mbined laugh, the children's combined yelling, screaming and laughter creates one pleasurable song that lifts my soul. On December 8, I was happy to have my two grandchildren with me too, Rick and Shawntay. The lighting of the park was the most beautiful community thing we had ever been a part of. It really moved us. It was fun filling the white bags with sand and the candles. It was something the adults and children could do together. We got involved accidentally. We attended a Christmas program at M usic Hall compliments of St. Joseph 's School, D errick's school. Then we were walking through the park to the Cincinnati Museum Center to see the train display. A lady told me about the lighting of Page 4 Washington Park. So we started helping. We filled, carried, and lit bags throughout the park. So many people were there helping. It was encouraging to see. A newswoman from Channel 5 wanted to interview Derrick but he wou ld not keep still. She told him he could be on TV but he told her he had to finj sh fi}Jjng his bags. That wru·med me. It was so cute. The newswoman did interview me and it aired the next morning on Channel S's Sunday Morning News. Among other things, I told her, the lights represented the people in our neighborhoods. They were not only beautiful in the trees but they symbolized the beautiful things we have in our hearts that we can give to one another. Merry Christmas. Write Us! . ~ We'd like to hear from IJOU•••• Send letters or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com, or· write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters, 506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 452 I 0 ·"But we do.love the poor. ·we plan to create millions more ofthem." Social Security/SS! Denied? Call John M. Keegan Attorney at Law Pr~ctice The GCCH would like to thank this Starbucks 1ocation for their generous donation of coffee and pastries. " concentrated in Social Security/SSI Disability Law 3366 Erie Avenue NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN ~ (513) 651-9222 FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION 4l "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."­ Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 - 1948) �STREETVIBES January 2002 Challenging the Contradictions r over whether mere thousands ar6 worthwhile for homeless shelters and sweeping those wpo are without off the street through threats of new laws and prosecution of people engaged in Text of Remarks to the Greater prosperity. In fact, in some ways nothing other than the sale of the Cincinnati Coalition for the we even seem to have taken message anc;:l story of the plight of Homeless Annual Dinner by several steps back. the homeless through Streetvibes. And of that I am not just Hamilton County Commissioner, What a crazy world we live Todd Portune speaking of events that swirl in. In addition, we constantly try around us across our nation or to make sense of the same. internationally, but I speak too of This past Sunday, the It is difficult to ignore the events in our own backyard. pastor in my church said contradictions at this time of year. Evef1:tS that while seemingly We are such a land of plenty, and disparate or disconnected are very something that struck home. It is a message and an observation that is yet there are so many who have so much related. most likely a constant with all little. We are a people of great For whether you are African-American and face fa iths and with those whose faith is generosity and yet we can be a people whose hearts are hardened simply in humanity. discrimination in employment, or He was struck by a study ~nd unmoved by the human whether you are unemployed and that pointed out that while in the suffering all around us. We can seeking to make ends meet, or buiJd great things and monuments United States a majority of persons whether you have been unable to identified themselves as religious, to our past, and to our greed, yet find justice in "the courts, or we seem unable to build the the same study reflected no compassion in the hearts of public greatest monument of all - the difference in the percentage of officials, or whether you are people who lived their daily lives human potential within each of us. . homeless, with no place to go, no And in this season of shelter for the night, no caring face in ways devoid of religious concepts compared to those who giving, those selfless acts of public to say goodnight - all share a had no religious bent whatsoever! compassion and aid are common plight, a common In other words, despite the basic condemned by talk show hosts, concern and ultimately a common editorial wri ters and elected principles of faith and the call to fight. officials as being wasteful social improve the human condition, to It is a fight worth fi ghting. spending. A cause worth supporting. And an love one another as we would love Charles Dickens saw it all ourselves - those.messages are left ideal worth seeking. almost two centuries ago. The But make no mistake about in the pews of the churches and synagogues and mosques and other classic tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge it - these are, days and purposes houses of worship as people go on confronting his past, present and made all the more difficult by the possible fu tures in the form of about their lives - oblivious to the people and events of our times, three ghostly visitors, brought with the contradictions in approach call that humanity is our business here on earth. home the message in blunt if not and public policy so thick and parabol ic form. My message tonight, confusing as if to make your head His youthful experiences however, is not a message of swim. presented choices that yielded the gloom. Instead, it is truly a Officials will fail to make potential for two possible futures. sure that all of our citizens receive message in line with the season. It Ebeneezer had chosen, as we all is a message of the promise of an ~ducation and when forced to know, one path - a path of material do so they will take it out through better things to come, the message gains. A path of business, wealth of glad tidings! massive budget cuts on the backs and economy. A narrow, For tonight, here we of those who can least afford it. shortsighted, hard-hearted path They will call for massive celebrate. We celebrate the goodness that is in each of you. that ignored the only constant in tax cuts and breaks and handouts We celebrate the years of growth, his life and in our life that makes for companies already making any of ljfe worthwhile - the basic record profits yet will look the of determination and of success humanity, dignity and promise that other way when workers lose their that you have accomplished in all of God's children have jobs,or when those whQ are creating a network of organizations and people who have done great received. struggling to enter the workforce And when he protested to things for our community. and make ends meet need as his erstwhile business partner · helping hand. And we celebrate the lives Jacob M arley, saddled with the you have touched and have saved They will prosecute a chains of bondage fashloned link murder case 38 years-old to send a and who are all a part of us and the by Jjnk of a life not well lived, rich and diverse fabric of our message that no one who kills can protested with the types of get away with it but yet will fail to community. arguments and justifications we The Greater Cincinnati try again a case when an unarmed have heard too often and know young man is killed after taken Coalition for the Homeless has only too well, Marley dismissed into custody. provided necessary emergency him and declared the well known shelter to thousands of individuals They will violate civil and families who have graced our phrase that Humanity is our . rights to protect conferees who business. seek the elimination of restrictions community. You have steered How true. How true then. How that protect the interest of families people to resources that they true today. needed to grapple with whatever and working people yet prosecute It is amazing to me that in obstacle they faced. to the fullest extent those engaged And you, in the face of almost two centuries since Dickens in civil disobedience to protest that spun his classic tale how little in officials or opinion shapers, have very same conference. terms of spirit we have advanced stood strong. have shown great And they will offer despite incredible gains in courage, have done great things millions to upscale spops and technology, knowledge and and have been a vocal and visible shoppers, all the whlle agonizing I Page 51 conscience for a community that prides itself on community values ­ but is in sore need of being reminded to act out those values that respect, support; encourage and love, without reservation, aU of our people in the way any parent would care for a child. Yes, we do have much to celebrate. And so f will close, being mindful of the season. And recall the tale of the young couple and child in a stable. The stable being their temporary shelter from the elements because no other housing was available to them. And whether you share the faith or not, we all can appreciate the story. Because it reminds us that from humble beginnings great things can happen. It reminds us that the common hu man dignity that binds us all is not dependent on status or wealth. And we remember, as we pray for peace, and for justice, and for opportunity for all , that humanity is our business and there is no greater pursuit than that. Thank you, happy holidays and may God bless you all. The choice before us is chaos or community. ­ Martin Luther King There is more to Iife than increasing its speed. ­ Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 - 1948) Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely an absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people. - Jawaharla/ Nehru Job Opening; Child Care Staff Peaslee Child Care Center 215 East 14u. Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 Peaslee's brand new child care center is looking for staff persons who want to build a quality child care program serving the children of Over­ the-Rhine. Full and part-time positions available. For more information, call Laura Goodell at Peaslee, 621-5514 �STREETVIBES January 2002 Page 6 Know Your Rights: Cincinnati Reopens Panhandling Debate by Molly Lyons Every month we will be highlighting.a Jaw or ordinance that affects homeless people in Cincinnati. This column does nothing to replace sound legal advice from an accredited lawyer, but seeks to empower and educate people in dealing with the criminal justice system and their lawyers. There have been recent debates in City Council over whether to strengthen the current ordinances relating to panhandling. q'he current laws follow: calculated to frighten or to cause alarm ot intimidation. In order to be citedfor this law you must first have received a written warning to stop engaging in the conduct from a police officer. communication is offensive, operator or occupant of a motor unwelcome or should cease. vehicle, from a person entering or exiting a motor vehicle, within six feet of the face any building, or within twenty feet of a crosswalk or after 8:00 PM. These particular restrictions have been found to pl ace undue restrictions on free speech and are therefore unconstitutional. A ny other . restrictions that operate along the same lines as these would-probably also be found unconstitutional. City Council is attempting to deal with the problems of downtown and the issues of homelessness by leg islating against panhandling. Thi s is an attempt to criminalize and hide the problems of poverty. Furthermore, it is ineffective because it does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness or the my1iad issues facing downtown. If we want a thriving viable city, we need to take the time to come up with. a comprehensive plan for making our city a good place for all that live here. Another law just isn' t going to cut it. If you are unjustly warned, cited or arrested for panhandling you have the right to fight against your conviction in court. Please contact us i~ this occu~s. Call Molly Lyons or John Halpin at 421-7803. Both of these ordinances target activities referred to as aggressive panhandling. Section 910-12 was changed to its current form after a Sixth District Federal Court case (Clark v. Cincinnati) found it ' unconstitutional on the grounds that it limited free speech. The· new ordinance helps to articulate what aggressive panhandling is but does not make any substantial changes to the law. Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken recently wrote a memo asking for the city's solicitor to "draft an anti-panhandling ordinance that sets panhandling restrictions as strict as possible, consistent with constitutional guarantees." This memo will probably result in some stricter rnles about aggressive panhandHng and maybe some different ways of enforcing the laws we have. The law coming from City Council will not mean that people are not allowed to panhandle at all. The panhandling ordinance that was overturned by Clark v. Cincinnati includes prohibitions against things such as soliciting within ten feet of an automatic · ,.___ ' . ' teller, in a public transportation vehicle or at a bus stop, from an Sidewalk Bubblegum by clay sutler ~~ · Cincinnati Municipal Code §910­ 73 Interference with or improper solicitation of pedestrian or \1E'{ iuwv, COOL;~ 'IC>U vehicular traffic. ~~ MESOME pu;JJC. No person shall recklessly }.ANl> rOR GAA"Z.lt"G interfere with pedestrian or ,\Htl LOGG'N' ?... I vehicular traffic in a public place. swe.1.1~ l'Ll. ?~'l YOlJ This means to: $AC~. • Walk, sit, stand, lie or grab, Cincinnati Municipal Code §910­ touch or approach another 12 Improper Solicitation person in a public place, so as It is unlawful for any person to to block, interfe-re with, or solicit in a public place in a impede the passage ofany manner which recklessly interferes person or any vehicle, or to with vehicular or pedestrian cause any person or any driver traffic. This includes but is not of any vehicle to alter his or limited to her intended direction of • Soliciting in a manner which travel. impedes access to orfrom, or • Make a request, solicitation or use of an automatic teller demand for money or o.t her machine, the front ofa thing of value in manner which · building or right of way to the would alarm, intimidate, building, any bus stop, any threaten, menace, harass or crosswalk, a person exiting or coerce a reasonable person. entering a motor vehicle • Force oneself upon the • Soliciting in any public company of another by transportation vehicle, continuing to communicate a • Soliciting from any operator or request, solicitation, or occupant of a moving motor demand for money or other vehicle; thing ofvalue, to another • Soliciting after 8:00 p.m., in person after the person gives an area designated for notice or demonstrates by word commerce, in a manner or action that such From STREET SPIRIT newspaper ~OH'"f GlVf "THEM Ai-rf1'H11'J().•. ~'f Su CREATES ACYCLE Of 'PEPiNl>E1'fC'i �STREETVIBES January 2002 . KEEP ON TELLING THE TRUTH, DAMON by Jerome J. Manigan Charlie Luken, the Mayor of Cincinnati, at long last, did what most everyone thought he would eventuallx get around to doing: Dismiss the Reverend Damon Lynch 3rd from the CAN (Cincinnati Action Now) Commission. Lynch's dismissal came as no·real surprise to anyone. However the tone of the mayor's letter informing Lynch of his persona non grata status did sound paternalistic. To dismiss Reverend Lynch from CAN does not, can not, and will not dismiss the fact that Cincinnati is a deeply troubled city. And, au of its problems are not racial. It was interesting to learn that, in spite of his counseling sessions, the Reverend Lynch persisted in his determination to speak the issues and concerns of the downtrodden. Reverend · Lynch's voice increasingly has become the voice of those whom the system would prefer not to hear: homeless individuals and families, panhandlers, Page 7 marginalized persons, poor whites· and African American males, many of whom have a legitimate fear of lethal encounters with the police. It would be very wrong for the mayor to think, even for one Peaslee Neighborhood Center and the Art . second, that the Reverend Lynch Academy invite Over-the-Rhine residents to stands alone in the ideas he offers help design a park bench to be placed in or the concerns he raises. He Washington Park by the end of summer, 2002. voices the ideas and concerns of many educated, affluent, The bench will be large, and have ceramic tile successful African American and designs of your neighborhood. Children and progressive whites living in adults from various community cente~s have Cincinnati. already sent us their pictures; but we need To.paraphrase Hamlet: Something is rotten in Cincinnati. your help in creating a design using those Too many Black men have died at pictures. the hands of the police. And many, many people wonder why the court Please come to Peaslee Neighborhood Center, system failed to win convictions of the officers charges with minor 215 East 14th Street (at the corner of offences in the deaths qf Timothy Syq:imore) on Wednesday evenings, 1/9 and 1/ Thomas and Roger Owensby. 16, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and Thursday The events of the past year mornings, 1/10 and 1/17, from 10:00 a.m. ­ only brought into sharper focus the many issues and concerns which 12:00 noon. No experience necessary! This will have long be talked about by be a fun way to get to know your neighbors and people from across the city. The make new friends. deaths of Michael Carpenter, Roger Owensby and Timothy Thomas and the subsequent failure Call Brenda Z. at Peaslee, 621-5514, for of the prosecutor to win further information. convictions in two of the cases, confirmed for many the belief that "concerns and complaints from the African-Americans, especially the surrounding neighborhood." males, ar~ despised, rejected and .. City officials said the notice people without value. came as a surprise. Homeless 0 The Reverend Lynch is. not advocate Ortiz y Pino said no one at the author of the message. He is the city or Albuquerque Rescue only the messenger. To dismiss Mission was told of the him accomplishes absolutely neighborhoods' complaints. nothing. It only widens the chasm And Mayor Jim Baca, who of distrust and sadly. the belief that asked the commission in a letter last The State Fair we have indeed returned to Commission heard pleas Friday to week to reconsider, said the city "business as usuaL" wasn't given timely notice. "Just keep dormitories available to giv_e us another year,'~he said at a homeless men for one more winter but didn't reverse its news conference before the decision to end a lease· commission meeting. "Let us get arrangement with the city. throu,gh this season." Finding out "two months Members of the Homeless before cold weather hits leaves us Advocacy Coalition asked the with our hands tied,'' Ortiz y Pino commission to continue to aUow told the commission. "It's very Albuquerque Rescue Mission to difficult to locate that many people bring clients to the vacant 4-H Club dormitories this year, to buy in a neighborhood without getting repercussions." time to find more permanent "We obviously sympathize shelter space. Meanwhile, the city is with your situation," said Mr. considering space at the West Tinnin, representative from the State Side jail near Double Eagle Fair Commission. Airport, which can hold 700 "Rather than chastise us, you people. Its inmates will be should be down at City Hall, at the mayor's office, chastising him." The among the first to be transferred to the new jail that's scheduled to city has had "over one month to do something about it," Tinnin said. open this winter, jail director 'fAn entire month has passed," he John Dantis said Friday. said, without the city having taken On Aug. 8, fair officials notified the city, which pays action. "There is a limit of what the $4,000 a year so Albuquerque Rescue Mission clients can sleep State Fair can and should do for the in the fair's dormitories, that the city of Albuquerque .... " You should dorms are no longer available. congratulate us for what we've The letter to the city cited done. We' ve made this an issue they have to address, and you should increased numbers of homeless thank us for that." people in the fair area and Streetvibes vendor Takleab Gumtessa confers with Santa Claus ... Calling all Over-the-Rhine Artists~ New Mexico Commission Insists: N Shelter for Homeless �- STREETVIBES January 2002 Page 8 Lima or Chillicothe Correctional prisons housing nearly one too! There are unneeded prisons thousand more prisoners. A.nyone who has been following the system whose staffs could be out in the real world working and paying knows that right now there are contains news about the justice system and the about 5,000 empty beds throughout taxes for a change. This would writings of persons incarcerated in our free up $100,000,000 for the the system! The whole affair nation's jails and prisons. schools. Something Governor Taft smelled of politics. This state We are seeking subscribers who are willing to sponsor a would rather pull its own teeth is trying hard to ignore. Guess prisoner so ttiey can receive STREETVIBES behind the walls. than close one of its unneeded what, people? The State of Ohio is Please sponsor someone on the inside. prisons - yet they were not only BANKRUPT! It cannot meet its A year's subscription costs $15. closing one, they were rushing to financial obligations to our Send your comments and questions to streetvibes@juno.com do so! Then the truth came out! children, yet they insist orr keeping mail : STREETVIBES, 1506 Elm Street At 9:00 A.M. in Thursday, prisoners locked up who should be Cincinnati, Ohio 4521O home working and paying taxes December 13, National Public too! They also insist on keeping Radi,o carried a story - a very unneeded prisons open to protect interesting story. Two state 0 senators admitted that Orient was Voinivich's promise of "recession 1 proof jobs"! Yet, the recession is 0 here, the schools need to work" pay valued at minimum-security prison! $1,240,000,000 to operate by Kenneth D. Smith Now·think about this for $19,000,000 and they had refused. properly, and the state i.gnores that! just a second. In November, The interesting part is the guards Let's stop Ustening to the The seventh of Dece.rb.ber Reginald Will<inson announces he bad nerve heard of this request. political rhetoric because it is all is a day that will live forever in Reggie is going to lies and start getting serious. The infamy in the framework of our close TWO and the old law prisoners need to be sent national history. It wil1 also stand union prisons and 20 home. If any of them screw up as a beacon highlighting the dormitories. president again, well, we do have plenty of hypocrisy, lies, and deceit This will had prisons. In the meantime the vast practiced by our state government talked. amount to majority will be working and at all levels. At 10 A.M. on The 3,000 beds. adding to the tax ba5e. Next, we Friday the seventh of December, union Note that the need to close not one but 10 2001, .Reginald Wilkinson, long 10 dormitories president prisons, permanently. If the Feds refused lililmm.__..________liiliilliii&ilmiilllll will be closed time Director of the Ohio want a site, we have professionals, Department of Rehabilitation and to give up the $21,900,,000 but it is in addition to the moving of the right? Then they should have no Correction (DORC), announced rumored, countered by offering populations of the two prisons into problems getti1;1g tax paying jobs, the closing of Orient Correctional one free day of work each month. already ~mpty beds in other right? The result would be a Institution. The announced Thi~ would have gener~ted the prisons. That totals up to an saving of $800,000,000 tax do1lars. reason for the closing was that the $19,000,000 needed. Reggie immediate 4,000 empty beds Nearly two-thirds of what the guard's union refused to give up refused the offer and ordered already in the system. Orient schools need. their one half hour "come to Orient closed. At no point were Correctional currently has around But there is an interesting work" pay, which was paid to the guards consulted. 500 empty beds. Add this to the footnote to all of this. On the them at time and a half. The truth The result was t1:uly 4,000 and you get 4,500 empty \evening of 13 December, Mr. is a completely different critter interesting. The morning of beds within Ohio's prisons. Note Keyes of the Department of altogether! December 7 everyone waited in that the state said nothing about Rehabilitation and Corrections Over two months ago anticipation of the announcement. releasing anyone to make room. stood before a group of inmates in Governor Taft ordered Reginald The Ohio National Guard and They didn't have to. Yet on Orient's chapel building and stated Wilkinson to cut his budget by State Highway Patrol were on December 7, the prisons are that since the announced closing of $38,000,000, immediately. alert. Why? I guess the governor dangerously overcrowded! Orient Correctional Institution Reggie, as he is affectionately thought the guards would riot! As Someone thinks the taxpayers are there had been several staff known by those humble souJs who the time for the official STUPID! attempts to commit suicide and provide the state's recession proof announcement neared staff Let's look at some there had been several additional jobs, refused! He told the members from Freeway Drive, or verifiable facts. In 1995, wheµ the threats! This is very enlightening governor he would only give him new sentencing code came into Central Office as it is officially as it highlights the type of people $19,000,000. Then the games known, appeared within Orient and law, there were 28 prisons and who are charges with protecting started. First, the talk started 49,300 prisoners. The DORC cruised the dorms talking to our society. These people are about closing the two private prisoners. Lies flew like snow in a budget was $920,000,000. The allowed to carry firearms! prisons in northeast Ohio as well blizzard! From the prisoners point DORC claimed the prisons were at MentaHy unstable people are being as 10 dormitories within ten of view it was just another day of 126% of capacity. Today we have paid very large salaries to protect institutions. This was discussed DORC garbage. It was the guards 34 prisons, a prison population society when they themselves rieed for weeks as if it took a great deal who were the ones who were really UINDER 46,000, and a DORC protection. Maybe we should of work and planning to close two upset and they bad a right to be. budget of $1,230,000,000! . The reserve just one of the TEN closed small prisons, one of the state's They were being treated to the DORC STILL claims the prisons prisons for housing terminated drunk tanks, and shut the doors on same games the prisoners have are at 126% of capacity! We are staff members. We wouldn ' t want l 0 already nearly empty dorms. tolerated for years, and they didn't paying hundreds of millions to be responsible for turning these The Columbus Dispatch carried MORE for prisons that are only like it! . mentally unbalanced people out an article which quoted officials partially ful l! There are well over The Columbus Dispatch into the work force. as saying there were many in the system 5,000 empty beds and Columbus' Channel 10 News Let's get serious about "political considerations". that we are paying guards to repeatedly stated that closing · making the people we elected to On December 6' it is watch! Why?. I fully agree with Orient would cause dangerous represent us to start doing their rumored that Orient will be closed overcrowding in the state's closing Orient Correctional, but job. Let's free the old law people, and the two private prisons will be "already overcrowded prison spared. No mention is made of system". This was interesting While we make every effort to provide a forum for those shutting the doors on the nearly since just three weeks earlier the without a voice, STREETVIBES and the staff of THE GREATER empty dorms. The reason stated DORC was stating it would be CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, is not was that Reggie had asked the closing 10 dormitories containing responsible for statements, and do not necessarily endorse the guards for their half-hour "come about-2,000 beds, and 2 private opinions of the prisoners.who's writings are represented here. Prisoners' News . f O r1en • t Correct•1onal T h e Clos1ng a Glaring Symbol of Deception? ~:~~;~~!~~ ~~ ::tF~~ f~~: d · ~.-~-. �STREETVIBES January 2002 P age 9 Where is this? people do and prison is where bad by Jerome Manigan people go. And that's why crime has plummeted over the last Where and what is this public landmark? Send decade." As the pro-prison idea your correct guess along with your name and has gained ascendance over the address to STREETVIBES, 1506 Elm Street, past thirty years, the number of people incarcerated in the United Cincinnati, Ohio 45210. A single winner will be States bas increased by a factor of selected randomly from the correct guesses. six. Winner will receive a one-time use camera and Race to Incarcerate, by free developing. U.se your camera to submit a. Marc Mauer. offers a complex yet accessible counter-argument to future WHERE IS THIS? photo! current criminal justice policy in the United States. Marc Mauer is the assistant director ofT~e Sentencing Project, an organization that promotes criminal justice reform. His discussion covered a variety of topics:mandatory minimum sentencing, racial disparities in sentencing, alternatives to prison for drug offenders, and prison reform activism. Both his organization and his book are valuable resources for those ~~o wish to work for criminal justice reform in the current pro-prison environment. Contact Information: Marc Mauer The Sen·tencing Project Way 514 10th Street Mv, #1000 Washington, DC 20004 Phone: (202) 628-0871 Fax: (202) 628-1091 remember the many homeless Email: people who have died this past sta(f@sentencingproject.org http:!/ When a person dies, family and year in Cincinnati. The list of by Marc Mauer www.sentencingproject.org friends gather to remember and names read aloud included honor that person's life. But for formerly homeless activists, shelter In the United States today, many of the homeless, life and residents, street-persons, and a four many people seem to take it for death are sometimes both month-oid baby. The Annual granted that putting more people in It is only forgotten. Friday, December 21, Homeless Memorial is held prison automatically results in less imperfection that of people gathered in Over­ dozens simultaneously in cities across the crime. Jonah Goldberg, writing in the-Rhine's Washington Park to country on the Winter Solstice. complains of what is his "G-File" column for the imperfect. . National Review; expresses a ~ ~ ~~ fi -cm~ The more perfect typical sentiment: "Thanks to a sustained conservative effort, we are, the more crime is no longer the romantic gentle and quiet we rebellion depicted in Norman become towards the Mailer's The White Negro, and defects of others. ·prisons aren't denounced as -Joseph. Addsion political gulags. Once again, we recognize that crime is what bad close the unneeded prisons, and apply that money to the schools. With a graduation rate of 28% in Cuyahoga County and 45% in Franklin Coun~y (the home of our state government) we had better start doing something soon, and I don 't mean more talking. The Ohio Supreme Court has reneged on its order to fund the schools. The state prefers imprisoning people to educating them. Enough is enough. Maybe we should dis­ elect every last one of them and start over. Do you know where we can find some honest people? Politics as usual has sent us into bankruptcy. Do we really ·want to listen to the lies anymore? Do we re~lly want to see our children illiterate cannon fodder for the state's prisons? Do w_e really want to continue to get robbed blind while our hard-earned money is squandered? I don't! Do you? Race to Incarcerate Another of Looking at Criminal Justice in America 2001 Homeless Memorial held in Washington Park . Extra! Extra! Advertise to Socially Conscious Readers ! Advertise in Streetvibes! . Reach thousands of downtown workers each month! Call 421-7803 for more information about how advertising in Streetvibes will work for your business Low Rates Custom Sizes Available! �STREETV IBES January 20~ 2 FEATURES · Page 10 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Hosts Annual Holiday. Dinner Recipients of Advocacy Awards Honored ·-~ by Alicia Beck photos by Ken Skirtz December 8th brought homeless, advocates, and Coalition supporters together to celebrate the year's accomplishments of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. After enjoying great food, participants took pause to listen to the vocal gifts of Ron Carter. Following dinner, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune addressed the audjence, bringing words of encouragement and praise for the Coalition's struggles and work on behalf of the homeless. Several people were honored during the evenings festivities, as the Coalition recognized those who made significant contributions to ending homelessness in Cincinnati. Ruby McDonald was the recipient of the Jimmy Render Awa.rd for her work as an advocate at the Drop Inn Center. The Jimmy Render Award is given to a homeless or formerly homeless person that has continued to advocate for the needs of those who are still experiencing homelessness. The Coalition awarded the Service Provider of the Year Award to Theresa Adair for her work on behalf of homeless women leaving abusive relationships. Ms. Adair currently works at the YWCA Battered Women's Shelter. Kevin Pease was chosen as the Volunteer of the Year for his tireless work for the Coalition, providing his professional graphic design skills for a myriad of projects. Kevin is the owner of Serendipity Design, a grap.hic arts design firm. The Buddy Gray Lifetime Activist Achievement award was received by Linda Howell-Perrin. Ms. Howell-Perrin has ceaselessly worked for the rights and services for the homeless in our Community. She has been an activist for over 15 years, providing leadership through volunteerism as well as through her work at local homeless shelters. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a unified, social action group, fully committed to eradicating Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune gives keynote address homelessness. The Coalition performs three areas of work: coordinating services, educating the public, and grassroots organizing/advocacy. The Coalition is a membership organization comprised of indivictuals, anc;I agencies serving the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional liviQg facilities, permanent'housing, medical services, social service~, soup kitchens, and mental health/ addiction services. Members of the Coalition celebrated several key accomplishments at this year's Annual Dinner. The Coalition works to mobilize t)le community around issues directly affecting our homeless population. Among its many projects, the Coalition counts the saving of Mt. Airy Shelter and the establishment of the local Homeless Civil Rights Program among its major achievements for the year. Educating a public audience with no experience with homelessness, about the truth behind homelessness is an iml?ortant part of the Coalition 's efforts. This year, the Coalition completed a comprehensive Homeless Study that exami nes the root causes of homelessness, the demographics of the local homeless, and solutions to ending homelessness. The · Coalition also hosted several successful forums and discussions surrounding the study. Streetvibes, the monthly newspaper published by the Coalition and sold by homeless and low-income vendors, celebrated its 5·• Anniversary this year. Streetvibes continues to increase in circulation and has reached a peak of 8000 copies The Coalition awarded the Service Provider of the Year Award to Theresa Adair for her work on behalf of homeless women leaving abusive relationships. �FEATURES STREETVIB·E S January 2002 monthly. The Coalition also gives service providers the opportunity to come together for effective communication, to help coordinate funding opportunities, and to ensure that all shelters are up to standard. During 2001, the Coalition successfully completed its bi-annual Minimum Standards Shelter Review Process. The Homeless Coalition continues to work closely with local advocates, agencies, and government to develop a homeless information system that will allow our homeless shelter to better meet the needs of our homeless children, women, and men. The Coalition is working to ensure that the privacy and rights of the homeless are respected in this process. To find out more about the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, or to become a member of the Coalition, please contact our office at (5 13) 421­ 7803. Page 11 Suitable for Framing J "Streetvibes is contributing to the downfall of the City of Cincinnati"­ Mayor Charlie Luken, December 4fh; 2001. *** "You can't hold a man down without staying down with him."­ Booker T. Washington Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 Ron Carter provides live entertainment at Coalition Dinner (513) 621-5514 Empowering our neighborhood children through peace and education ATTENTION: . HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.S AND YOUNG ADULTS. .. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARDI Voice for Youth is a new writing group at Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine for teenagers and young adults . Empower yourself and share your views on social justice, homelessness, and poverty-related ·issues through writing. Writin§ gatherings are held every Thursday at 4 :30 ana 7 :00 p.m. starting January 10 at Peasle·e , 215 East 14th Street. The atmosphere is casual. Opportunities for publication in Streetvibes newspaper, your progressive news source. Call Brenda Z. at 621-5514 for more info, or. e-mail at peaslee_bz@hotrnail.com. . Streetvibes newspaper is puhlishcd monthly on a shoe-string budget from thC' offices of the Crearer Cincinnati Co.1lition for rbe Homeless. We depend hcaYily on the good\\ ill of many volunteers and donors. Can yot1help us with some of the foll?wing ite1ns? o Electric Stapler - Heavy duty o Blank Zip Disks - For Streetvibes :Ar<::hives o Supplies for Vendor's Lounge (paper towels, cream cmd su.gar, snacks, etc.) o Office and Cleaning. Supplies o Computers/components for Streewibes story-writing, edit­ ing, research. lf you can help~ lYHUact ta ttr: StreetJtibes, clo Greater Cincinnati Coalition fo~ Homeless 1506 Elm Street, Cindnuatl, OH 45210 (5 13) 42 1 ~7803 the �STREETVIBES January 2002 Reaffir01ing Affirmative Action Shelby Stone, 17 years old, High School Senior The political.issue that concerns me is the dismissal of affirmative action. Affirmative action is the nation's most ambitious attempt to redress its long history of racial and sexual discrimination, buJ: currently affirmative action is under increasing debate and causing great tension amongst Americans. Since the birth of this nation, Blacks have been enslaved, dominated, and oppressed. Blacks have been pushed down so far in society, many were left to dwell in poverty and powerlessness, this is a result of white male supremacy in .America. In order for Blacks to have a level competing ground in corporate America, strong actions were needed to · deconstruct white privilege and power. Affirmative action is not a means of giving blacks or women advantage and authority, but a means to create a equal opportunity. Affirmative action is a way to ensure blacks and women merely the opportunity, to gain clout and authority, in America. Without Affirmative Action white males will remain in complete hegemony in America. A popular argument against affirmative action is that it creates an environment where blacks question whether they truly deserve the job. People believe chat affirmative actions makes the general public question whether the position was given for meri t or the law. Affirmative action gives the minorities and woman the chance to defy the stereotypes and prove to their co­ workers, boss, and most importantly themselves that they are suitable and exceptional for their position. Affirmative action is a system to get blacks more involved in corporate America, in order to dismiss the stereotypes of ignorant and ghetto black men and women. · Since the age of nine, I have attended, predominately white schools. I learned first hand about racism, stereotypes, and white dominance. During my grade school years, I began to EDITORIAL SECTION Ariel Sharon has never hidden his contempt for the Oslo Accord precisely because it aimed to create a Palestinian state in the · pre-67 borders of the West Bank and Gaza. Although in the elections he presented himself as the strong military man who could play the role of peacemaker, he always reassured his own right-wing constituents that he had no intention of ceding any land to Palestinians. Ari·t~l Sharon was the inventor of the strategy of filling the West Bank with settlements in the 1980s to prevent any possibility of Palestinians creating their own state, and his fondest dream would be to find th~ political excuses that could allow Israel to reoccupy the entire West Bank and establish another hundred settlements. ' Arafat represented a thorn in his side, because Arafat kept insisting on returning to· n~gotiations and on building the Palestinian state promised in the treaty Israel had signed in the White House garden in 1993. Moreover, the United States has made it clear that it wants Arafat and negotiations as a way of giving the elites of Arab countries ~ way to say to their own populations: "See, our cooperation with the United States against Bin Laden has produced a return to the peace process." The Arab elites are able to displace resentment against the injustices of their own society onto anger at Israel, so they seek a balance-negotfations ai1d an endless peace process, but not the creation of a viable Palestinian state and certainly not one controlled by Hamas. But when the U.S. became preoccupied with the war against terror, Sharon fe]t free to increase the violence and repression of the Occupation and to accelerate the level of assassinations of people "suspected" of being directly or indirectly connected to acts of terror. Those assassinations, primarily directed against Hamas leaders, ensured that Hamas By Rabbi Michael urner would strike back in retaliatory blows against civilian targets The strategies of Ariel within Israel. Sharon and B arnas are far less B arnas has inuch to gain irrational than they are often as well. Convinced in any event portrayed in the American media. that the peace process is leading Both have been cooperating in only to the giving away of Islamic what amounts to a tacit alliance to rights to Palestine, Hamas would achieve a shared goal: the be willing to wait another 30 or elimination of Arafat and the 40 years till Israel tires of enct.tess Palestinian Authority and its war and terror-if it could be sure replacement by Hamas. that when Israel tired, it would be receive my calling from God to confront and attack the issue of ignorance, but it was not until my sophomore year in high school, that I completely understood how to accomplish my task. I am the president of the African American women club at Ursula, and I began to write a newspaper caJlel. FUBU (For Us By Us), for the black students at Ursula. In this club, I stress the issue of_learning about different methods that are made to help the progression of blacks and women. This positions ensures a way to educate the women about fighting the stereotypes, by.fighting for our rights and th~ rights of others. In order to guarantee affin:native -action will not be dismissed, we as black women should be educated in the subject and be willing to mentally fight for our rights. Currently I am helping to rally against the dismissal of affirmative action, with college students, from all over the nation. My objective.is to get the leaders of the movement to come and educate the young women of · Ursula about their mission. As of now, I atten9 meetings and take petitions. I am also a published writer for Streetvibes a newspaper that helps the homele$S-gain. money for their shelter. The newspaper focuses on justice, homelessness, ·and discrimination. Not only is it essential to rally, and fight for affirmative action, but in addition it is signifi cant to educate oneself and work hard to gain respect and accomplish a beneficial reputation in the business world. Ariel Sharon's Alliance · with Ha01as Page 12 the fundamentalists who came to power. Hamas despises the secular forces around Arafat, worries that if the Pal~stinian Authority is not destroyed that it might become the government of a secular Palestinian state, and is openly contemptuous of the many Christian Palestinians who influence the P.A. So it is hard to resist the open invitation from Ariel Sharon: Israel will do the dirty work of destroying tp.e Palestinian-Authority and· rejecting any peace process if_ Hamas does its part by blowing up innocent Israeli civilians. Sharon refuses to negotiate unless there is a period of non-violence, thereby signaling the Hamas forces that all they have to do to block negotiations is to escalate their violence. And if the violence gets intense enough, Sharon will find himself "with no alternative" but to kill Arafat and wipe out the Pa\estinian Authority. This position, of course, creates an overwhelming incentive for Hamas to engage in acts of terror. The U.S. could break this cycle by threaten.lng economic sanctions until Israel ends the Occupation. More likely it will demand new negotiations which will drag· on endlessly and give a new facelift to endless perpetuation of the Occupation and the suffering. of the Palestinian people. There is only one way for Arafat and the moderates to protect themselves from this invidious alliance; unequivocally reject the fan tasy of ar~ed struggle againsdsrael, coi;ivert to the principled non-violence of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, and make it impossible for anyone to believe that they support or condone any form of violence. Instead, engage in massive non-violent demonstrations, punish rock­ throwers, and show th~t they are unwilling to respond to the ongoing violence of the Israeli occupation with violence of their own. Otherwise, they may soon find themselves the victims of the all-too-clever path that 1inks fundamentalists on both sides. Michael urner is editor of TIKKUN Magazine, a bimonthly Jewish Criti.que of Politics, Culture and Society, author of Spirit Matters: Globa7' Healing , and the Wisdom ofthe Soul, and rabbi of Beyt Tikkun synagogue in San Francisco. RabbtLerner@tikkun.org Streetvibes exists as a forum for ihe expression ofthe views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those ofthe Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. �STREETVIBES January 2002 Page 13 News from the National Coalition for the Homeless the final FMR figures for 2002. Submitted by Ian Stevenson Homeless Grants Released by HUD Fall Short of Need The National Coalition for the Homeless [NCH] recognizes the critical role that HUD Homeless Assistance Programs play in meeting the emergency shelter, housing, and service needs of people experiencing homelessness throughout the nation. Toward this end, we are pleased with HUD and the Bush Administration's announcement today that $1 billion in grants will be awarded to more than 2,500 individual projects. However, the current funding level for HUD Homeless Assistance programs ­ essentially the same as the 1995 level - falls far short of the amount necessary to meet emergency needs. Last year, 23 percent of families and individuals seeking shelter were turned away for lack of room, and the average length ~f ho1J1elessness increased to ten months. Moreover, the impact of the recent economic downturn is only beginning to be felt across the nation, with some communities reporting post­ September 11th surges in homelessness. As the gap between wages, income, and the cost of housing - already at an all-time high - continues to grow, more people are likely to experience homelessness and need emergency services. While the HUD Homeless Assistance Grants are a necessary public· policy response to emergency needs, they are insufficient in and of themselves to ultimately end and prevent homelessness. NCH calls upon Congress and the Administration to enact public policies to increase affordable housing, livable incomes, and comprehensive health care for all Americans. For a complete listing of grant amounts by state and commun1ty, please visit the HUD web page, http://www.hud.gov/ news/release.cfm ?content=prO 1­ 11 7 .cfm National Housing Trust Fund HR 2349 now counts 110 co-sponsors. Coi:igressman Bernie Sanders relayed to NCH and other Campaign members his thanks for the field and lobby work being done by the Campaign and committed to making the bill's passage one.of his priorities. S. 1248 cUrFently has 19 co-sponsors, including VA-HUD subcommittee chair, Barbara Mikulski. On Nov. 14th students, labor and community gtoups held a National Day of Housing Action. For a summary of the over 40 events please see http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/ housingactfon & http://www.nationalhomeless.org/ housingaction.htrnl Also, let's not forget the great work Chuck Currie is doing in Oregon: http://www.oregonlive.com/ portland/oregonian/index.ssf?/ xml/story Day Labor Three million people a year work as Temporary or Day Laborers. Many of these people are either homeless or at risk of · becoming so. They work in an industry that is characterized by low wages, no benefits, long hours, and many violations of Civil and Workers Rights. The day labor industry is one of the fastest growing in the US, having · grown threefold in the last 15 years. More and more people, finding thems~l ves denied access to the benefits of mainstream America, work as Day Laborers in order to lift themselves and their families out of Poverty. One of the tenets of democracy is that individuals have the right to use the value of their labor to achieve a chosen quality of life, and that those who choose to do so may use the value of that labor to achieve economic advancement.·For day laborers this is clearly not the case. NCH is planning on partnering with other organizations in order to bring some justice to the lives of many, by helping organize, and providing assistance to, the nascent day labor movement. Universal Living Wage Please visit www.universallivingwage.org for more on the Universal Living Wage Campaig~ According to The Mayor's 16th Annual Survey on "Hunger and Homelessness in American Cities" dated December 14, 2000, the leading cause of hunger and homelessness is low-paying jobs. It was reported that "Despite being in a period of _ unprecedented economic expansion, low-income wage workers and their families are finding it increasingly difficult to locate decent affordable housing; increasingly, they find themselves among a growing population of homeless (citizens)." Also in a previous year's Conference of Mayors report, it was asserted that "in every state, more than the minimum wage is required to afford a one or two bedroom apartment at 30% of earned income." Our Goal Here is to adjust the current federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour (we feel that one size does NOT fit all) using the Universal Living Wage Formula. As we say, this will ensure that all 40 hour a week workers will be able to afford housing wherever they do that work. Realize that we will continue to support a national wage level ~elow which no workers shall be paid. "No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. By ~usiness I mean the whole of commerce as well as the whole of industry; by workers I mean all workers- the white-collar class as well as the man in <;>veralls; and by living wages I mean more than a bare · subsistence level- I mean the wages of decent living." -Franklin D. Roosevelt, statement, Jun_e 16, 1933. ,----------------------------------------------------.. Are you a dedicated indMdual with a desire to educate the public about homelessness? Volunteer at Streetvibe.sf What's New at the We need ·wnters, photograpers,· Universal Living Wage editors, webpage updators, any Campaign The Fair Market Rents help you can provide. (FMRs) for 2002 are coming! Call 421-7803 for more information. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has released We've started converting them, and hope to have the new batch completely up before New Year's Eve. In the meantime, our sampler table has been recalculated. You'll find that the cost of housing is not standing still. There have been slight increases in places like Bangor, ME and Baltimore, MD, while Boston, MA and Santa Cruz­ Watsonville, CA continue to skyrocket. (And yet, an efficiency apartment in Newark, NJ actually became slightly cheaper!) You needed a $3.69 per hour raise just to maintain your efficiency apartment in Boston, MA. You needed $4.17 per hour more to afford that same one bedroom apartment. We' ll be adjusting figures in our web site over the next few weeks, and we'll try to tell you every time we change a section to the 2002 estimated figures. We've added 2002 North Carolina, Washington D.C., Texas (once again 4 different web pages) and the Virgin Islands this week. Keep watching the Universal Living Wage Campaign L Faces of Homelessness Video NCH's highly regarded "Faces of Homelessness" multi­ media slide show (seen last year by at least 12,000 people nationwide) featuring images of America's homeless people is now available on VHS video. This 13­ minute video is a great resource to begin a group discussion about homelessness in America. This video features images taken by award-winning photographers from around the country. These photographs are accompanied ·with powerful music that enables the viewer to see the many men, women and children of America who experience homelessness everyday. Cost: $25 + $3 shipping & handling. Pre-pay by check or call/email Kirby at NCH (202)737-6444 x 11 , to bill to your credit card. Email: info@nationalhomeless.org. We accept VISA, Master Card, and American Express. National Coalition for the Homeless, 1012 14th Street NW, Washington DC 20005-3406 Tel: 2021737-6444 · Fax: 737­ 6445 Email: info @nationalhomeless.org · Website: http:// www.nationalhomeless.org �I STREETVIBES January 2002 Wanting by Delia Sizler Why do I plod along focusing only on what has to be done and fail to appreciate what all T' ve accomplished? I'm an American child, a "baby Boomer," an early phase with "baby boomer." The affluence of America came right after I arrived. The boys were home again and life was going on. Everyone was busy, making babies, making love, making home$, making goods to feather the new nests. Gradually prosperity happened to ordinary people, well, to some of them ... the white ones especially. What happened to the overflow of emotion then? Where did the trauma memory go? Fif ty plus years later we are awakened emotionally, thrown out of our post war stupor, our denial that memories matter, our man made euphoria is interrupted. I'm a " baby boomer," what do I know? Five decades to grow up focusing on what's yet to be done, missing memories and the connections they have with the other "more" of life, more than growing, building, making, buying, economy fixated thinking. What else to be accomplished? We have wanted to ask that, but later, too busy now, more to do. Don't pause lest the economy slump. One day the comfortable shell that insulated us was cracked open. Terrorists attacked. I The activity stopped. We "baby boomers" and all brew a collected breath, sensing something new erupting from inside the shell, hope and a glimpse of enduring freedom. Some "old-timers" remember when freedom was won. I don' t want to lose it now. not after paying so much for it with human life. I want freedom to endure and memories to surface. emotions expressed and real connections to deepen. I want to pause to experience what I've accomplished in these growing up times. I want all of us to trust the freedom we've been blessed with, so much that we want to share it generously with t11e world. I want an economy of peace and justice that has a face of freedom for all. DECEMBER 7th by Cornelius Douglas Pearl of beauty, pearl of life Within your channel deep. Rest the men and tools of war For you and God to keep. From northern skies Fell death and strife As history wrote by early light. A tearful memory tale. What valor is there to be found In tragic human toss? Man must begin to live as one no matter what the cost. For all who died that Sunday mom We bow our heads and pray. For them, Please grant them Peace. , For us ....a better way!! The Emptiness Inside by Robert Manassa When I was a young lad I oft times felt sad Crying myself to sleep at nite Asking the Lord to make my day's brite . I felt so all alone Trying so hard to be strong no matter how hard I tried The more I cried Now that I' m older People around me are more bolder The world much colder I wish I could lean on a shoulder I wish to God to be on an even keel To erase the way I feel Not knowing what the next day will bring I'm not a puppet on a string Tonight I'll send up a special prayer Asking God to send people who care I know he answers prayers and such I'm sitting here wondering, am I being too much? ART & POETRY Derrick Johnson, age 21, lives in the West End. Derrick is involved in making a difference, not only through his writing, but through his involvement as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Clearcorps. He is also a talented musician, having played in the Over-the-Rhine Steel Drum Band for 10 years. Currently, he makes music in his in-home recording studio. Derrick is helping direct the new writing program for young adults at Peaslee Neighborhood Center. E -mail him at · mr_mansandthem@hotmail.com for further information about writing. by Derrick Johnson: For moments I thought of words to say, througl} sunsets AND SUNRISES. Many times as I rose and rocked myself to wake. For moments I thought of words to say. So I pray. For a winter wonderland. While wandering over lost and forgotten lands, over the streets of the trodden. Lost and forgotten through woods where there are no trees, just buildings. . And words, mostly truth. Metaphors, similes taken to extremities. When I am gone I hope you remember these words. If I am gone I hope you remember these words. If I am gone, I hope you remember these images. Not by the statistics or percentages. Right at this moment someone is living, someone is loving. Someone is smiling. Someone is nothing more than themselves. Loved by all. Living with all. Loving, without, within this world even through _mass destruction and dysfunction and hate and fear. I am glad to see us together for moments in time, Here. Daddy's Quivering Knees by Jordan M. Pleasant Her purse snapped closed. The receipt was torn, crumbled and tossed into a nearby garbage can. Our codependent landlady/ his guru of monetary support/ my unintentionally oppressive Page 14 stepmother conjured up all her strength and heaved Daddy 's new box-springs and mattress, silken sheets and pillow cases upon her sore back to transport them home through the dark, poverty-stricken streets, cluttered and offensive with the baying of rottweilers. She worked, sweat sliding down her forehead to prepare tbe double ki ng-sized bed: stretched the silk spread over the corners of the mattress, spread the silk sheets over the silk spread, stuffed the plump feather pillows in their silk cases, then covered the perfected heap with a perfumed down comforter. "For you, your Majesty," she directed to the other side of the room. Sitting on the other side of the room, his head hung in shame, is Daddy, eyes focused on the rise and fall of a coin -a coin congratulating one month of supposed sobriety. He was letting the coin make the decision for him. ''Triangle I take the bed. Serenity prayer I don't." Up down. Up down. "Best two out of three, best three out of five, best four out of seven..." and so on and so on until he tired himself with the truth and righteo~sness of the coin. He flipped the coin one last time into a garbage can at the foot of his new bed, then climbed up into the soft palace to be greeted by_the reality in dreams. He still lay in that·bed day and night, letting a tossed coin, -a coin congratulating six months of supposed sobriety­ make his decision for him. "Triangle I take the bed. Serenity prayer I don' t." The coin will eventually end up in the garbage can at the foot of his bed. Meanwhile the landlady brings him breakfast, and he tells himself she's helping cure his q uivering knees, when they both know she's steadily breaking them. �- STREETVIBES January 2002 In This Deadend by Mike Henson submitted by Revoluti_onary Association ofthe Women ofAfghanistan the many little lies we use, like nails, to tack in place a shelter for the self, and which are merely sad. But other lies are fierce; they raise up fear and rage. Lies for theft and massing dollars. Lies that dress us in hatred. Cattle-prod lies that teach the soul to cower. Lies designed to do what the fist cannot. These are lies most terrible. But I fear most the blind, cruel lies of politicians., Word, by word, the politicians lie hems in the poor from left and right. Told long enough and well, by a Clinton or a Milosevic, a single lie can raze a vilJage. Broadcast lies, spread by the nets of television, fill quickly with air and mount the skies of policy. In Washington, in every statehouse, they hold hands with their think-tank brothers. Quick and confident, in their crisp black suits, they stride the marble corridors. They always take express; no need to trudge the stairs, and glide to the peak of t!fe tallest of towers to beam out proposals and projects and status reports. Into the neighborhoods, the suburbs, the farm country the lie, airborne, slips over every transom and under every door. It hides in the closets of the cell to infect us with madness and the will to condemn. They sm ell your breath. You better not have said, "I love you." They smell your heart. These are s_trange times, darlin:g ... And they flog love at the roadblock. We had better hide love in the closet. .. In this crooked dead encl and twisting chill, they feed the fire with the kindling of song and poetry. Do not risk a thought. These are strange times, darling... He who knocks on the door at midnight has come to kill the light. We had better hide light in the closet... Those there are butchers stationed at the crossroads With bloody clubs and cleavers. These are strange times, darling .. _ and they excise smiles from lips and songs from mouths. We had better hide joy in the closet... Canaries barbecued on a fire of lilies and jasmine, these are strange times, darling ... Satan drunk with victory sits at our funeral feast. · We had better hide God in the closet. Justice is for the rights.Of Humanity. Not for the Justice of Your own Creation. You say sit back and ever:ything will be OK. But when I look around, you just killed another one. Justice can be a very good thing for all people of all colors. But you people, you judged your own people each and every day_ Just as they sit there thinking the same way_ People, you can't see what's going on around you. If you don' t get up, justice will stay the same way. Anonymous Shutter Speed Ah, the glossy, go-eyerywhere electron lie! What does he care about the little weed of truth? Life by David Goins, Urban ~ppalachian Council, GED Student Life is bitter. Life is sweet. Sometimes life is unique. Life is easy. Life is hard_ · Life is not always about going to malls. Life has pain. Life has joy. Life is what you make it. For it is not a toy. , ART & POETRY Song of Anger Against the Lie I do not like a lie, not one. Not even my own, most protective lie. Not even the lie that shelters what I most want hidden. N~t even the lie that bandages a wound. But who can live without a lie? It seems too much to bare our naked selves without the dressing of prevarication. The sleet world chills us quickly if we cannot wrap ourselves in walls and glass , The Pentagon, Washington, DC Page 15 From Catholic School to Persona Cool by Jordan M. Pleasant Poor young lady, with or without the white button-down and blue skirt. Her Clothes aren't plain tmtle necks and stockings no More, but bright mini-tops and mini-skirts. Instructors aren't ruler-snapping celibate slugs no More, but cursing nervous-breakdown sucker systahs. Home's not the comfort-zone to study all evening in no More, but the fake worn-out persona-place that sounds so cold. Now Mom's the raving rosary-wearing god­ freak daughter-punishing wttch, Not the subconscious abuser or idolized nurturing leader. Now friends are adventure-seeking trouble­ making drinking smoking haiardous teens, Not study partners or charade partners or dinner guests or fluttery straights. Now the after-school·event's not bible-study; when she lets the father fondle her for an 'A' . It's when she's so drunk her boyfriend takes the chance to rape her without her even knowing. She's a poor, poor young lady, with or without the white button-down and blue skirt. by J immy Heath �STREE.T VIBES January 2002 P age 16 WORDS FROM THE EVANGELIST... .,........._..,,____ _ _ which some would not have bet on. From pneumatic fever as a chjJd to p1ison as a young adult my life expectancy as an African-American male \ was less than forty. And even when one classified as high-risk does reach \ forty; it is e ither in the criminal justice system or the unemployment line. I have beaten the odds. The ) question is: how? M any of you know that in 1993 prior ro my release from prison God Last year this time I was gave me a ten-( l 0) year plan. This talking to you about the 727 plan included education, family, families we served in Cranks and employment. I have followed Creek, Kentucky; giving them thls plan. Only occasionally food, clothing, and gifts for straying briefly off course, but Christmas. And thls year I could because God is my Navigator f tell you about Washington United have always come back to the Church of Ch1ist servi ng almost mark. 200 families, and giving almost I am now forty, with two 350 paiTS of shoes to children. years of the plan remaining; However, as I go into thi s nonetheless, I do not feel forty and year I find myself reflecting on as r reflect on what has brought me what has brought me to this to this point in my bfe I realize it is particular point in my life, time to seek God for the next stage especially since on January 3.. I ofthe plan. Whether it be another will celebrate forty years of life ten year plan or longer, because upon this earth. Forty years of life everything within the fiTst plan has been accomplished save the earning of my Masters in Divinity. So the answer to the above question is by the grace of God. Now of course_! feel compelled to tell you what I mean by the grace of God. We first find the word grace in Genesis 6:8 where Noah found grace in the eyes of God. In this instance grace means.fa vor, because God at this time was contemplati ng destroying the whole earth and all mankind due to the wickedness which abounded. The word grace appears 148 times in the Ki ng James version of the Bible. In every instance, you can replace it with the word.favor, and each instance is an occasion where God has demonstrated His care for mankind. Therefore, I have come to this point in my life because God has according to His word given me hope and a future (For l kn.ow the thoughts that I t~ink toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jet: 29:11) and Have the Russians Gained in this War? by Eric Margolis, TORONTO SUN When Pakistan ditched its ally, the Taliban, in September, and sjded with the U.S., Islamabad and Washington fully expected to implant a pro-American regime in Kabul and open the way for the Pak-American pipeline. But this was not to be. In a dazzling coup, Russian President Vladimir Putin stole a march on the Bush administration, which was so busy trying to tear apart Afghanjstan to find bin Laden it failed to notice the Russians were taking over half the country. K vashnin outfoxed the U.S. by seizing Pristina's airfield, thus assuring a permanent Russian role The wily Russians achieved in Kosovo. Now, he's done it this victory through their proxy again . To the fury ofWasrungton Afghan force, the Northern and Islamabad, Kvashnin rushed Alliance. Moscow, which has the Northern Alliance into Kabul, sustained the Arna.nee since 1990, in direct contravention of Bush's re-armed it after Sept. 11 with new dictates ... tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, The Russians have helicopters and trucks. The regained influence over Alliance's two military leaders, Afghanistan, revenged their defeat Gen. Rashid Dostam and Gen. by the U.S. in the 1980s' war, and Muhammed Fahim, were stalwarts neatly checkmated the Bush of the old Communist regime with administration which, for all its dose links to the KGB . Putin put high-tech military power, .the chief of the Russian general · understood little about staff, Viktor K vashnin, and the Afghanistan. America's ouster of deputy director of the KGB, in the Taliban regime meant Pakistan charge of the Alliance. lost its former influence over During the Balkan fighting Afghanistan and is now cut off in 1999, the hard-charging from Central Asia's resources. Doing the Right Thing; 10 Paradoxes Doing the right thing won't always win you the prize - life is full of compromise and even disappointment. True leaders know that the right thing is reward in itself, and eventually other rewards and recognition will follow. 1. People are sometimes illogical, unreasonable, and self­ centered. Love them anyway. 2. If you do good, people might accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway. 3. If you are successful, you can win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. 4. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. 5. Honesty and frankness can make you vulnerable. Be honest anyway. 6. The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest ideas. Think big anyway. 7. People favor underdogs but follow top dogs. Fight for the underdogs anyway. 8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. 9. People who need help may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway. 10. Give the world the best you have and you may get kicked in the teeth. Give your best anyway. He has done this according to His grace. This grace is available to all that choose to receive it. Since God has planned to give us a future and a hope all we need do is learn what that future and hope entails. According to scripture it first entails our receiving Christ as Lord and Savior, and when we do: through prayer God will give us a plan for our life; because His Spirit will guide and lead us in all truth (John 16: 13). So this New Year, do not make resolutions which you shall surely break; seek God and Hi s plan for your life and I promise His grace will be sufficient for you as it has been for me. I am off to Seminary, and I'm still in need of someone who . has a heart for the downtrodden to maintain the operations of AWOL Ministries; so please call (513) 349-5119 or send your resume to: P.O. Box 36065, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all this New Year. His Humble Servant, Rodney L. Sutton, Sr. The Evangelist So long as the Alliance holds power, the U.S. i~ equally denied access to the much coveted Caspian Basin. Russia has regained control of the best potential pipeline routes. The " new Silk Road" will become a Russian energy superhighway. By charging like an enraged bull into the South Asian china shop, the U.S. handed a stunning geopolitical victory to the Russians and severely damaged its own great power ambitions. Moscow is now free to continue plans to dominate South and Central Asia in concert with its strategic allies, India and Iran. The Bush administration does not appear to understand its enormous blunder, and keeps insisting the Russians are now our friends. Write Us .. • • We'd like to hear from youI Send letters or comments to: Streetvibes@Juno.com, or write the Coalition office attn: Streetvibes Letters 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 • �P~ge STRE ETVIB E S January 2002 Fierce Clashes Erupt in Argentina police appeared intent on clamping down with force as the violence escalated December 20th. There were also reports of growing unrest elsewhere in this vast South American nation of 36 million people. Looters attacked supermarkets in major cities and ransacked homes. Eight of those killed were in outlying provinces, and many died of gunshot wounds. The dead included a 15­ year-old boy reportedly shot reports of supermarket lootings and att~cks on country estates. Popular anger boiled over as a result of four years of bitter recession that has dragged the country to the brink of economic collapse and a possible default on its $132 bi llion public debt. Unemployment has spiraled to near record levels of over 18 percent and industrial production has plummeted. The government has enacted eight austerity plans and is seeking even further cuts in 17 kicked me out 10 times but I will come back," said AJicia Fernanez, a 51-year-old jobless woman who was beating a metal saucepan. "This is terrible. Where's our democracy gone?" Demonstrator Jose Luis Anicas, 41, who has four children and has been jobless for.six . months, said: "People are fed up. They don 't want De ~a Rua anymore. They don't want any of these politicians anymore." Authorities said more than 350 people have been arrested since the unrest began, inc.luding many hauled kicking and screaming from Plaza de Mayo, in front of the Government House. Elsewhere in the capital and in other major cities, anti-government protesters banged pots and pans, while motorists honked horns and snarled traffic in opposition to De la Rua's austerity plans. But many businesses began closing .-..,--- amid fears the violence could escalate. After the resignation of Cavallo, the economy minister, a federal judge ~~~i!i~Z~~~if:~~~~2~;;;;::=:::::~ issued an order prohibiting him from leaving the during disturbances in western public spending. country. The judge, Juljo Santa Fe province. Others In the capital Thursday, some 300 Speroru, is investigating an arms among the dead included people demonstrators taunted riot police trafficking scandal from the reportedly shot by merchants and shouted anti-government 1990s when Cavallo served in the defending their stores with slogans, demanding the president government of then-president weapons. step down: "Go! Go!" they Carlos Menem. The judge did In the Buenos Aires suburb of shouted as riot police and not explain the reasons for the Quilmes, a 23-year-old man was mounted cavalry officers charged. order. shot and killed during a Chanting "Come out! Austerity measures supermarket raid by looters Come out! " others called for De introduced by Cavallo, including before dawn. In southern Rio la Rua to step onto the balcony of a partial freeze on bank Negro province, a 46-year-old the ornate government palace and withdrawals designed to prop up woman was shot during face the people. But the shutters the financial system, have sparked confrontations between police remained firmly closed, the widespread anger, especially in and supermarket raiders. palace surrounded by iron poorer areas. More supermarket attacks barricades and .scores of riot In a televised address the were reported in the north-central police. The president's offices are previous Wednesday night, De la province of Tucuman, and at the palace, also called the Rua said he was imposing a 30­ Government House. vandals reportedly ransacked day state of emergency, or state of family homes in the northeastern Protesters refused to budge, siege, which gives authorities the province of ColTientes. North of despite repeated police efforts. right to make arrests without Buenos Aires on the "A people united will never be court order and forbids Panamerican highway that defeated!" they chanted. "I'm not unauthorized public gatherings. It crosses the country, there were leaving here! They've already was the first time in 11 years an Argentine president has enforced such a decree. Sick for years, the economy has nose-dived during De la Rua's two years in office. Until Tuesday, December 11 18 \ Cavallo had been working newspaper~ on enacting another punishjng austerity plan, pushing a belt­ tightening 2002 budget through Congress and staving off a default on Argentina's staggering debt. '5treefvibes: A proud, member of the North Amerie-an '5treet Newspaper Assoc.iafion ll-epresenting over s·o strut throughout the United '5tates and l-anada www.t.pea\Ceas1.orglnasna �STREETVI BES January 2002 Page 18 It's a total violation of civil liberties and human rights." A REDEFINED ISSUE I see him get on the plane," she by Michael Conlon "Let's be blunt," says New said. A previous promise of CHICAGO (Reuters) Jersey Attorney General John release did not materialize. Farmerhe. "How can law El Far was held because he The telephone call came enforcement not consider ethnicity was in the country illegally on an from a jail in Missouri . in investigating these crimes when expired student visa. The "They came to my job," that identifier is an essential colleague who informed on bis said Osama El Far, an aircraft characteristic of the hijackers and also alleged he had praised Osama mechanic from Alexandria, Egypt. their supposed confederates and bin Laden, accused of "They got a call from a co­ sponsors? masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks worker who said I was a Muslim "Racial profiling ... was with access to the airport. They tell that killed about 3,900 people, as a always more complex than most role model - something he me somebody in Washington is cared to admit, not reducible to denies. still interested in me. They won't magic percentages ·or easy He also likely became a· tell me who." definition on either ·side. El Far is one of hundreds of suspect becau'Se he attended flight "But its solution ... has training school in Florida ih 1996­ Arabs and other foreigners always been and remains simple: 97. Some of the suicide airline detained in U.S. jails at a time Accountability. We must establish hijackers had attended Florida when the American public seems within the police mechanisms of flight schools, though much more to have turned a blind eye to the accountability to ensure that law recently. once-volatile issue of race-based enforcement's conduct is But be said the FBI had law enforcement. commensurate with the threats it assured him he had been cleared. , ' Black leaders for whom faces." His frustration was that nothing racial profiling - police action Robert Sampson, a 50-year­ seemed to be moving although he based on race and suspicion rather old black who lives in Bellwood had booked a flight and was ready than evidence or probable cause ­ near Chicago, .is a meat cutter and to leave. was a top issue have had little to a Gulf War Army veteran who His and other cases seem say about foreigners snared in the supports the current detentions. to be drawing little sympathy. racially defined dragnet tossed out Asked if it would make any "The poJJs show that . after the attacks on New York and difference if all those detained African-Americans, those most Washington. were bl ack, he said: "If they were vocal in complaining about racial The 30-year-old El Far, suspected terrorists, I wouldn't profiling, are saying it's OK as who has spent more than two have any problem with that." long as those being profiled aren't months in a county jail in "I look at them (the us," says Earl Ofari Hutchinson, southeast Missouri, may be one of government) as doing what they president of the National Alliance the lucky ones. His lawyer, have to do," he said. " If they are for Positive Action and author of Dorothy Harper, said Friday she suspected terrorists, until they can "The Disappearance of Black had j ust received word that he will prove different, they should be be allowed to leave the country for Leadership." held." ''That's because we're Egypt next Tuesday. But Marvin Jones, a 42­ "B ut I won' t believe it until scared too. We're willing to year-old black truck driver from Chicago, had doubts. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " " - \ said. "It's similar to what happened to Added Ako Abdul-Samad Do you find yourself on the outside of the of Des Moines, founder of an inner the Japanese, because they were job marlcet, loolcing in? city program for children and considered guilty until proven imam of a Des Moines, Iowa innocent," he said. "No one cares, because there is so much hatred. mosque: "We can' t condemn a race Do you want a self-motivated, low-pressure These people have. a right to live of people because of individuals job? like anyone else, unless you have . and we can't make that race of some proof. If you don ' t, let them people pay for those individuals. go ... I don't think it's fair." tolerate the same thing that two months ago we were loudly complaining about. There bas been a sea change in public opinion because of September 11 ," be added, that has placed the profiling issue "way on the back burner, and there is a huge danger here ... if the public says it's OK now, where do we qraw the line after the danger has passed, are we able to stop on a dime and reverse.gears?"' NOT SINCE-WORLD WAR II The arrests that have put nearly 600 people in j ail aod the . I plans to question hundreds of other · people are on a scale cinseen since the start of World War Two when 100,000 Japanes'e immigrants and Japanese-'Ariiericans' were interned at interi'or locations far from · strategic coastal a,reas. But while p ublic opinion polls may not show it, some are disturbed. by the parallels. ''The profiling of people from the Middle East is just a carry-over of an inbred inability to see people other than ourselves as being OK," said 81-year-old Marian Spencer, a former · Cincinnati city councilwoman and longtime civil rights leader in that city's black community. "If they don ' t act and look like us, then there must be something wrong with them. Those people who are being detained by the government should be let go as quickly as possible once the authorities have determined they have no connection with terrorism," she Arabs Detained in US Jails Sell Streetvibesl The monthly newspaper with news from the street: homelessness, poor people's Issues, poetry, prose, and articles with their feet on the ground. Vendors buy the paper for 20 cents and sell It for a $1 donation. _ First 10 copies free to new vendors! . Come in today to sign upl The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 (513) 421-7803 "Hanson... these are American-made flags. Didn 't I tell you we 're on a budget." �STREETVIBES January 2002 Page 19 HOMELESSNESS AND POLITICAL REPRESSION THE GREEN PARTY FAILS THE TEST IN SANTA CRUZ editorial in the Santa Cruz Sentinel for their participation in the November 12th demonstration. After facing that criticism Krohn and Green Party_ City Council Sugar shut their mouths about police Person Tim Fitzmaurice and brutality, including in the cases of "progressive" Democrats John Dine and myself. Christopher Krohn and Keith Sugar I, on the other hand, were swept into office out of a ground swell of opposition to plans knowing that freedoms have to be fought for, was back out on the street for expansion of the Santa Cruz se11ing newspapers immediately after Beach Boardwalk in 1998. my release from jail. I also spoke At that time many had the out on the radio, TV, anain the ilJusion that these three were going newspapers for freedom of press. to over turn the cities sleeping ban As a result of my actions and other (a city law making it illegal for the activists publicizing the case, the homeless to sleep at night), and confront the repressive nature of the police have, for the. most part, stopped violating the right of people Santa Cruz Police Department. Those illusions were soon shattered. to buy and sell newspapers in the City of Santa Cruz. The one During Tim Fitzmaurice's past three years in office he has exception I know of was in 2000 when I was once again threatened opposed lifting the sleeping ban. In with arrest for seJling newspapers. I 1998 the City Council was under refused to back down and eventually public pressure to end the sleeping the police backed down instead. ban. At that time, Fitzmaurice did support a successful measure that A Federal Judge has ruled lowered the fine for sleeping outside that not only was my arrest a clear violation of constitutional rights, but or in a vehicle from $162 to $54. that the way the City is trying to But Fitzmaurice voted with the defend its actions now shows that it majority on .the council against is City policy to violate lifting the sleeping ban. The vote was Sugar and Krohn for lifting the constitutional rights. The City attorney's office, again under the sleeping ban, Fitzmaurice, Biers, control of the Green I Democrat City Rotkin, and He~-nandez against. Fitzmaurice's st&nd against Council, is appealing the ruling .and the rights of the homeless is in clear continuing to argue against the First violation of the platform of the Amendment Constitutional right to freedom of press. The silence of the Green Party, which opposes anti­ City Council only helped to promote homeJess laws. It is the obligation of any poUtical party to bold those this repressive atmosphere. they elect to power to the position of Other activists for the rights the membership of the party. If a of the homeless have bad their rights political party does oot do so its trampled by the police under the past political platform is only worth so three years of Green Party I much toilet paper. Democrat Party rule in Santa Cruz as Sandy Loranger did jail time well. These have included James for feeding soup to the homeless. Nay who was arrested for writing • The judge was trying to get Sandy to things in chalk on the sidewalk accept probation instead of going to opposing the sleeping ban, and David Silva who was arrested and jail (aU of the other defendants had accepted probation). Sandy then given a psychiatric evaluation for politely inquired of the judge if asking City Council, "What's it being on probation meant she had to going to take, self emollition to end obey all laws. When the judge the sleeping ban?" responded in the affirmative, Sandy Activist for the homeless, said "If it is a crime to feed my Robert Norse, was illegally arrested brother when he is hungry, then I am on September 19th and on October beyond rehabilitation." 3rd for circulating a petition at the Up until November of 1998 Farmer's Market asking for an end to police harassment of musicians, the police regularly harassed and at times ticketed those who distributed artisans, and activists by the Santa more truthful news than can be Cruz Police at the Farmer's Market. found in the corporate media. Those The Farmer's Market is held in a papers include the newspaper Street publicly owned parking lot and as a Spirit which advocates numan rights public gathering space courts have for the homeless. ruled even on private property such as mal ls,. that the First Amendment I was released without still applies. The need for the charges after four days in jail and after being brutalized by arresting petition was partially inspired by the officers on the street, and also being t~eat of police to arrest peace activist John Theilking for a beaten by sheriffs in the county jail. literature table he had set up on In addition Christopher Krohn and Keith Sugar were criticized in an September 5th. · By Steve Argue 1 Judge Stevens later dropped the charges against Robert Norse in comt along with dismissing the attempt at an injunction against him, but the arrests were another clear violation of the free speech rights of the people of Santa Cruz. These arrests have been coupled with the Green/Democrat City Government's blatant fencing ~ff of most of the· areas that used to be used for free speech tables at the Farmer's Market. As the police often say to their victims, ''This is Santa Cruz, we can find a law for anything." In 2000 Robert Norse was ticketed for sitting at the base of Tom Scribner's Statue. Charges were later dropped when he produced a photo of City Council members doing the same thing. K.C., who has attended a number of demonstrations, was ticketed for blowing bubbles, which the officer claimed were projectiles being thrown into traffic. That charge was dropped when it made the national news. When dealing with the homeless the police often illegally steal backpacks, vehicles, and identification. The police confiscation's of identification have now become especially serious with the Cities emergency shelter program now requiring ID as a result of the National Guard Armory, who's building provides the shelter, now requiring identification to be admitted into emergency winter shelter. This is being done under the pretext of the "war ·on terror". There is no Santa Cruz emergency shelter in the summer except that which takes months to get into and only lasts one month. The new rule gives the police one more opportunity to victimize the homeless in the winter. The new rule also victimizes undocumented immigrants who may need emergency shelter. Emboldened by years of repression and harassment against the homeless and activists dealing with local issues, the Santa Cruz Police attacked anti-war protesters on May 22, 1999. By Sgt. MacMahon's own admission it was a lawful protest until the police intervened. The protest was against the US bombing of Yugoslavia. Police brutalized protesters and five were arrested. Will the Green Party be hi­ jacked nation wide by opportunist career politicians who protect the status quo while the majority of mem~rship is unwilling to make any significant moves to bold them accountable? The experience in Sant~ Cruz suggests it will. The unwillingness of the Green Party to seriously take on police abuses and anti-poor laws with their position of power reflects a petty bourgeois reformist outlook, rather than a revolutionary outlook of the poor and working class. The program of the Green Party sees the owners of small businesses as the counter weight to evil multi-national corporations and see their maximum progra~ as one where small businesses are the base of the economy. The reality in Santa Cruz is that most of these small business owners are the biggest proponents of anti-homeless laws and the culprits in paying some of the lowest.wages that cause homelessness. On my platform I ran for office while being homeless in 2000 and received close to 3,000 votes, and it is on this platform I may run again in 2002. This was very respectable given the fact that 3 of the winners only got around 8,000 votes and did it with much more money. But whether I run or not, and whether I win or not, change will only come through all who are fed up with the system taking an active role in making change. SIJBSCRIB£ TO STR££TVIB£S! • ~-~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~ .... ~ ~ ~~ ~ for only $15 per year you can receive Streetvibes. delivered right to your home. To begin your one year subscription send payment to: Streetvibes/GCCH. 1506 Elm Street. Cincinnati. Ohio 45210 or for more information coll 421-7803 _... I ' • a 1 • _. "" ~ .r.. _.. • k I , J> ... .a !. I - " -11 .I _, .._ ... A ._ 6 .a.- • L - -- M • .... • _a - ~ a a. • • _. • • • ._ • .,. �Need Help or Want to Help? SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women's Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome House 859-431-8717 Women's Crisis Center 859-491-3335 SHELTER : Men City Gospel Mission Garden St. House Joseph House 241-5525 241-0490 (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. 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Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen 721-4811 House Oral Health Council 621-0248 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect ­ Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency 471 -4357 Food Center 721-7660 Travelers Aid 721-7900 United Way VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping 872-9259 Women ROHS HARDWARE 12" Outdor Thermometer 3.99 62-Qt. Storage Crate 4.97 Art by AnthonyWatkins & Michelle � 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 2002 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 January 2002 Subject The topic of the resource Homeslessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: No Dimes to Spare Pg 2: A Human Investment Pg 3: Street Life Pg 4: Reader Mail Pg 5: Challenging the Contradictions Pg 6: Know Your Rights: Cincinnati Reopens Panhandling Debate Pg 7: Keep on Telling the Truth, Damon Pg 8: Prisoners News Pg 9: Race to Incarcerate Pg 10: Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Hosts Annual Holiday Dinner Pg 11: Features Pg 12: Editorials Pg 13: News from the National Coalition for the Homeless Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Pg 16: Words from the Evangelist Pg 17: Fierce Clashes Erupt in Argentina Pg 18: Arabs Detained in US Jails Pg 19: Homelessness and Political Repression 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 January 2002 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Alicia Beck Mary Taylor John Halpin Molly Lyons Jimmy Heath Jerome Manigan Ken Skirtz Cornelius Douglas Diane Griffin David Goins Mike Henson Derrick Johnson Robert Manassa Marc Mauer Jordan M. Pleasant Delia Sizler Kenneth D. Smith Ian Stevenson Shelby Stone Rodney Sutton Riccardo Taylor Kathy Y. Wilson Brenda Zechmeister Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Affirmative Actions Alicia Beck Arabs Argentina Arts & Poetry Brenda Zechmeister Cincinnati civil rights Cornelius Douglas David Goins Delia Sizler Derrick Johnson Diane Griffin Dinner Editorials Evangelist GCCH History Holidays Ian Stevenson jail Jerome Manigan Jimmy Heath John Halpin Jordan M. Pleasant Kathy Y. Wilson Ken Skirtz Kenneth D. Smith Marc Mauer Mary Taylor Mike Henson Molly Lyons Nation Coalition for the Homeless New Mexico Over-the-Rhine panhandling prisoners news Reader Mail Repression Riccardo Taylor Robert Manassa Rodney Sutton Russians Shelby Stone Street Life Street View Washington Park