15 10 291 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/19cb33bb53173df34a4b4c555d396349.pdf a14bdc592a2d6f1b251a70ed6dca70a8 PDF Text Text June 1st - June 14th 2018 | Vol. 21 Issue 11 (No. 382) advocating justice | building community Religious Peacemakers: Reverend Nelson Pierce's Powerful Tools for Systematic Changes Towards Justice | 8 This Issue is sponsored by Bromwell's Harth Lounge INSIDE THIS ISSUE A New Burst of Energy to Curb Gun Violence| 2 Photo Essay: Cincinnati Murals | 9 "Right to Work"and Poverty Rates | 3 Stadium Deal Revealed Inequities | 7 Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.org Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 S LOCAL From The Director: Soccer Team ≠ Ecstatic o Major League Soccer has granted FC Cincinnati a franchise. Hundreds gathered to scream, cheer and celebrate. An article in the Enquirer described the crowd as “Offthe-charts ecstatic”. I would hate to live a life where I was ecstatic about the new opportunity to live in a city where men will now talentedly kick a ball around a field at a professional level. I’m not saying I don’t ever enjoy sports or that I don’t ever root for a certain team in a game. I’m not saying going to a match in most any sport isn’t fun. I’m not saying there is something wrong with cheering on a team. But what around you do you have to be choosing to ignore or apathetic about to be “ecstatic” about a sporting team and announcement of a major league franchise? Seriously. At least half of our children in Cincinnati are living in poverty. Both single adult and family homelessness are the worst they have every been. In Hamilton County we have a shortage of at least 40,000 affordable homes (28,000 in Cincinnati), such that so many families are losing their housing that family shelters have to turn away about 70 percent of families with children seeking shelter. More than 100,000 households in Hamilton County are paying more than fifty percent of their income just in housing because J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 JOSH SPRING Executive Director Josh Spring Credit: Homeless Coalition the cost of renting has increased far more rapidly than wages. In some parts of our city a person living on one side of a street will live 20 years longer than the person on the other side. Currently our city is investing virtually none of our local funds into affordable housing. In Cincinnati, on average, Black men live 10 years less than white men and Black women live 6.6 years less than white women. Our neighborhoods are segregated by race and class. Both our city and county are facing significant deficits next fiscal year. Our jails and prisons are crowded, and slave-labor is still legal in our prisons. Greater than half of federal discretionary spending is on the military. We are currently engaged in war in multiple countries. We are in the midst of regular overdose deaths from heroine. Kids in our schools are preparing for someone to walk around with a gun and try to kill them. We are currently bombing and murdering people in a variety of places. We are deporting parents, taking them from their children. People don’t have needed access to water and food. Healthcare is often unaffordable or inaccessible by many in this country and in other countries. This list could go on and on. People are standing up and pushing forward. Locally we are working to establish an affordable housing trust fund and legal protections for people who rent. We are trying to change the unjust ways developers get easy access to our neighborhoods and resources. We are working to prevent and end homelessness. We are working to offer opportunity for people experiencing homelessness to join in the work to end the criminalization of homelessness. We are working to educate children and adults throughout our area about why homelessness exists and how they can work to systematically fight it. We are fighting for equal (Continued on page 5) A New Burst of Energy For the Grassroots Campaign to Curb Gun Violence in the U.S. T he tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, brought a new burst of energy to the ongoing grassroots campaign to curb gun violence in this country. Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School organized for action, and they were joined by thousands of other students across the nation who began protesting for effective legislation to protect citizens from the ubiquitous misuse of guns. At the Community Issues Forum on May 17th, Lauren Rose, a student activist and at Mason High School senior, and Michele Mueller, Local Group Leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, spoke about the campaign in Ohio and nationally. After the Parkland tragedy, Lauren Rose said that she and some of her class mates at Mason High decided BILL WOODS Contributing Writer that they could not "continue being afraid" of an incident like that happening at their school. At the same time students were organizing protests across the country, Lauren and her peers planned a "school walkout" for March 14th. The event actually took place in the school, and she reported that more than eighthundred people attended. Lauren Rose believes that students locally and nationally will persist in their gun reform campaign beyond this (Continued on page 3) Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Mona Jenkins Director of Education: Dr. Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Key Beck Reception: Larry Johnson, Anne Evans Maintenance: Pete Roper ----------------------------------------------CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Michael Earl Patton, Dr. Mark Mussman, Michelle Dillingham, Jason Haap, Saad Ghosn, Johnathan Diskin, Thomas A. Dutton, James C. Fraser, Steve Sunderland, Jeannie Masterson, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones ----------------------------------------------Photography/ Artwork: Justin Jeffre, Saad Ghosn, Bill Woods, Tony Castrucci, Dr. Mark Mussman, Michael Earl Patton --------------------------------------------------Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL “Right-to-Work” and Poverty Rates 3 No. 38 3 | J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 MICHAEL EARL PATTON I s there a relation between states with relatively strong unions and poverty rates? In my last article I pointed out the preponderance of workers who earn low wages. Instead of concentrating on just the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) numbers which largely reflect the earnings of the wealthiest among us, what about those who earn far less? Although not the best measure, poverty rate data are generally available so I looked at those. I wanted to know if states with so-called “right-to-work” laws had higher or lower poverty rates than those without. Much has been written about how those laws lead to certain benefits, but do they benefit those near the bottom of the economic ladder? Read on to find what I found out. First, here is one of the graphs I showed last time giving the distribution in incomes. Data comes from the IRS. This sets the stage. I am more worried in the well-being of those on the left-hand side of the graph than those on the right, ergo BILL WOODS (Continued from page 2) spring's rallies and protests. For instance, Rose noted that she and others are getting involved in the political process as a way to bring about real change. They have recently registered Contributing Writer the look at poverty rates. I struggled with the title to this article because the name “Rightto-Work” law is misleading. These laws are not about the right to work as such – that was never in question. After all, even slaves have the right to work. Rather, “right-to-work” refers to banning union agreements which require all workers who benefit from an agreement between a union and a workplace, to pay dues to that union. It never was about forbidding someone to work but rather the requirement that if someone wanted to work at union-negotiated wages and benefits, that they also pay union dues. Still, as different billboards around Cincinnati attest (“Right-toWork is a Lie!”), even opponents call such legislation by this name. I will at least put the phrase in quotes. Twenty-eight states have “rightto-work” laws, or the provision is part of the state constitution: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, one-hundred new voters, and some, including herself, are working as volunteers for Aftab Purval in his race for Congress. The new student activists have been welcomed and supported by groups already advocating for gun reform legislation at the local, state, and federal levels. Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Missouri passed such a law in 2017 but opponents gathered enough signatures to postpone the law going into effect until and unless it passes in a referendum. Kentucky’s law was passed in 2017; West Virginia’s law went into effect in September 2017. I found poverty rate data for 2015-2016 by state from the U.S. Census Bureau and compared the average poverty rates for the “right-to-work” states with the others. Because Missouri’s law has not yet gone into effect and Kentucky’s and West Virginia’s laws only went into effect in 2017, I am counting those as non-“right-towork” states for this comparison. There are thus 25 states on each side with the District of Columbia included on the “non-side”. For context, the average poverty rate in the United States for the 2015-2016 period was 13.1%. (I used the table “Percentage of People in Poverty by State Using 2- and 3-Year Averages: 2013-2014 and 2015-2016” from https://www. census.gov/data/tables/2017/ demo/income-poverty/p60-259. html.) For only the “right-to-work” states it is 13.77% when weighted by the population. This means that the poverty rate of, say, Texas with a state poverty rate of 14.3% and an estimated 2015 population of 27,469,114 counts proportionally more than Nebraska. Its poverty rate is just 9.9% but has a population of only 1,896,190. Texas counts about 14 times what Idaho counts in the weightings. Since 13.77% is higher than the national average of One of the most effective of these organizations is Moms Demand Action, and Michele Mueller depicted its history and activities for the Forum attendees. Founded after the Sandy Hook School mass shooting in 2012, it is now active in all fifty states and in hundreds of cities and towns. Mueller 13.1%, the non-“right-to-work” states surely have a lower poverty rate and they do: just 12.62%. If that were the poverty rate for the “right-towork” states, there would be about 1.6 million fewer people living in poverty. That is significant. It is this sort of effect to which I was alluding in my last article when I wrote about the preferential option for the poor and powerless. Before a state legislature votes to circumscribe the right of workers to organize and contract with a company, it should consider the effect on the workers – not just the wealthy. Considering the effect on those with low income is not that different than the dictum for doctors: first, do no harm. The data I see indicate that there might be a negative effect on the low end of the income spread. Apparently, the movement to weaken unions has an effect on wages. This is not to say that unions always do only good, just that they might be doing some good and we should preserve that good. The magazine Bloomberg BusinessWeek has had a couple cover stories in the past year about the lack of worker protection in companies without unions. For the January 8, 2018 issue it was “Life and Death on the Third Shift.” The story is about the (non-unionized) meat-packing industry. For March 27 – April 2, 2017 it was “The New Detroit: The South’s manufacturing renaissance comes with a heavy price.” The cover shows a man who lost his lower right arm in an industrial accident. All of the South is “right-to-work.” This is BusinessWeek highlighting the lack of safety, not Karl Marx’s Das Kapital. If you ever had read that work you would understand how far the pull of company profit over worker safety can go. Unions were a very large part of the reason why there was not a communist revolution in this country. Let’s not go further down that path. emphasized that MDA is not about attacking the Second Amendment or trying to take people's guns away from them. It is focused on putting in place common sense reform legislation and practices that will help to prevent so many tragic incidents of (Continued on page 11) Michele Mueller, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Lauren Rose, Student Advocate Credit: Justin Jeffre Credit: Justin Jeffre THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 LOCAL July 7th THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 �No. 38 3 | J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 O ne question that we routinely receive is “how to tell if someone is faking homelessness.” It’s far too common of a question because it shows our lack of empathy and misunderstanding of homelessness. If we believe that even one person is faking it, will we fight hard for solutions? Mistrust is a difficult place to start, and perhaps, an even more difficult thing to change. If you are making the decision to help someone, it is not unusual to want to know what all the parameters are before you decide to help. When a family member asks for assistance, sometimes you’ll want to know all the details, and other times, you will just help, and not ask “how did you get in this situation?” or “can you prove to me that you need my help?” It’s important to help people as you can, how you can, but it’s even more important to help people in the way that they need help. Short-term needs, like food, water, toiletries, can be helpful today — but they don’t translate directly into housing for people who may be experiencing homelessness. Think where those items fit into the solutions to homelessness: Affordable Housing; Livable Wages; Tenant Protections. Even though it doesn’t have toiletries, food, or water in those solutions, they are necessary for everyday life. My biggest issue with the idea of faking homelessness is the judgmental part. Typically, the topic comes up with panhandling, and whether we should give a dollar or two on the way to the ball game. As I have written before, some people come up with their own ways to determine if someone is worthy enough for their money. It could be based upon what they say, what their sign says, how they interact, the roughness of one’s hands, or how shabby their clothes look. People will say “Well, you don’t look homeless!” and keep walking. This type of judging doesn’t allow for the many types of homelessness, including: homeless at home (not having food, water, electricity, support, etc. at home); doubled up (two families living together due to economic circumstance); couch surfing (staying at friends’ and relatives’ places); or living in a car (often showering at the gym). If you understand the types of homelessness, you’d realize that judging people by how they look will never be accurate. Most people who experience JOSH SPRING (Continued from page 2) access to housing, employment, public services, health, recreation, public space, development, selfdetermination, freedom from harassment and brutality regardless LOCAL Faking It DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer homelessness work very hard to hide their circumstances. You wouldn’t (or couldn’t) tell by looking at them. This is mainly due to shame and of race and/or economic class. Across this country and world people are fighting to end wars, fighting to limit access to guns, working to make healthcare accessible. People are fighting pollution in order to make clean water available to all. People are working to decrease and end the social stigma. We are constantly bombarded with terminology and visual representations that convey the sentiment that people who don’t have homes are not worthy participants possession of nuclear armaments across the world. Work is being done to keep the right to a quality public education and to improve the quality of schools. We are fighting for a living wage instead of a minimum wage and workers’ rights that show the worker as a person, not a commodity. This THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 5 in society. Just as they are trying to outlaw panhandling in Dayton, Ohio, we criminalize the lives of people who are already struggling to get by in a difficult world. Criminalizing homelessness actually causes and perpetuates homelessness by giving heavy fines, jail-time, and permanent (Continued on page 12) list could go on too. Considering all of this and so much more; how can you be “ecstatic” about a soccer team? What is that like; to so ignore or not care about important things to the point that you are “ecstatic” about a sport and/or a team? �6 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 �7 LOCAL Stadium deal revealed inequities No. 38 3 | J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 T MICHELLE DILLINGHAM here is one thing I can agree with Mayor John Cranley on about the recent FC Cincinnati stadium deal: “This can’t keep happening.” The mayor was quoted in a recent column by The Enquirer’s Jason Williams that was met by some with outrage, namely because the writer referred to people who have been working for years on more equitable development and engagement in Cincinnati as “self-serving outsiders looking for a handout.” I’d like to offer a different perspective. A community benefits agreement is defined as a multiparty contract executed by community organizations and developers, meant to hold developers accountable for their impact on the community. Experts who support such agreements often cite Los Angeles’ Staples Center project in 2001 as an example of a highly successful process — one that resulted in unprecedented benefits for the surrounding community. That community benefits agreement included over 30 community groups, labor unions and hundreds of residents who would be Contributing Writer affected by the project. In the end, the deal resulted in developers being responsive to the surrounding community; funding was provided for nearby parks and recreation facilities; a parking program was established to help defray the increased costs to nearby homeowners; affordable housing was built that included income targeting and terms of affordability, and more. There were many problems with FC Cincinnati’s negotiations for a community benefits agreement with West End, including the short timeline and only one community organization being involved. The deal was ultimately a failure because it was doomed from the start. Ideally, these agreements are used to mitigate the negative effects a project may cause in a neighborhood, such as lighting, noise, design and construction impacts. A benefits agreement should not be expected to take the place of meeting basic standards for the use of public tax dollars. It cannot fix the displacement of low-income families through gentrification; however, a city’s inclusionary affordable housing policy can do that. A benefits agreement cannot fix employers not paying a prevailing wage, perpetrating wage theft and not offering minority contracts; a city’s procurement and contracting policy can do that. A CBA cannot fix neighborhood residents from being excluded from authentic participation; a city’s community engagement policy can do that. A CBA cannot fix the widespread inequity of how City Hall hands out subsidies or the fact that millions of dollars meant for our public schools never make it there; but a city’s tax exemption policy can do that. Was the FC stadium process “utter chaos,” as Williams described in his article? Perhaps, but the blame rests squarely on our elected officials who have refused to enact citywide policy on a number of challenges that were exposed by virtue of the soccer stadium deal. In the absence of these policy fixes, our city will continue to fail on important indicators such as Jeff Berding speaks to the press (Continued on page 11) Credit: Justin Jeffre Mona Jenkins convenes with community members at rally against FC Stadium Deal Joe Mallory addresses his opposition to the FC Stadium Deal press conference Credit: Justin Jeffre Credit: Justin Jeffre How about a marketing campaign for those in need? P oor people* need someone to mount a marketing campaign on their behalf. They don't, as a general rule, have an easy-to-identify fanbase whose discretionary spending both advertises their fanaticism to others while earning money for the economically disadvantaged in the process. Soccer fans, on the other hand, have no apparent trouble in this capacity. For example, I just typed "FC Cincinnati shirts" into Google (without the quotation marks), and I see I can buy FC Cincinnati soccer t-shirts from places like Dick's, JASON HAAP Contributing Writer Homage, RallyHouse, CincyShirts, and more. When I'm out and about in the city, I see tons of people wearing FC Cincinnati t-shirts. I know it sounds weird, but I think this kind of branding has something to do with why so many of us believe the myth of sports stadium investments as being good for the economy, while at the same time we seem to turn a blind eye toward helping those in need. For example, according to an item by the Brookings Institute titled "Sports, Jobs, & Taxes: Are New Stadiums Worth the Cost?": Promotional studies also fail to take into account differences between sports and other industries in income distribution. Most sports revenue goes to a relatively few players, managers, coaches, and executives who earn extremely high salaries— all well above the earnings of people who work in the industries that are substitutes for sports. Most stadium employees work part time at very low wages and earn a small fraction of team revenues. Thus, substituting spending on sports for other recreational spending concentrates income, reduces the total number of THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED jobs, and replaces full-time jobs with low-wage, part-time jobs. So, in short, I think, as a people, we are apt to overlook unsound economic arguments because we buy into the hype created from marketing. Could it be possible to focus such marketing efforts on local social causes? Unfortunately, I am neither a t-shirt artist nor a marketing executive - but my novel thought for the day is to wonder what it would be like if someone were to mount precisely such a campaign. *This author subscribes to "identity first" language, whose adherents believe there is no shame in being "poor," so there is no need to wrench the language from its natural form by saying things like "people experiencing poverty." �RELIGIOUS PEACEMAKERS Community Organizing and Political Advocacy Are Reverend Nelson Pierce's Powerful Tools for Systemic Changes toward Justice 8 R J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 SAAD GHOSN everend Nelson Pierce knew, as early as 3 years old, that he wanted to become a minister. He started preparing himself for it since the age of 13 through the Baptist church that he attended regularly with his parents. "I grew up in a very religious household," he says. "I was very active in the church, sang in the choir, attended Sunday school every week, participated in children’s retreats, and developed strong relationships with my mentors." "It is there also that I learned about black history..." he adds. In fact, both Pierce's parents were active during the civil rights movement. His mother, a member of the Black Panthers, participated in their many protests between Detroit and Chicago; and his father, from New Orleans, took part in the 1st class of black students trying to desegregate Louisiana State University. "My parents did not speak much about the struggles they went through during that era, but it was very present in the ethics of our house and of what was considered important." Pierce attended Country Day Summit school, a predominantly white Catholic private school, in Cincinnati, OH. He felt there a subjacent racism, subtly embedded in the system, as he had to always prove himself, even though he was as successful academically as other white students. "There was also very little social justice awakening during school," he states. "We talked about it in the context of religious ethics, but Contributing Writer it could barely compare to what I learned through church or at home, especially regarding being black in America." After high school, Pierce went to Washington University, in Saint Louis, MO, to study English literature. While there, he experienced some typical racial tensions. Black faculty, for instance, was not representative of the black student population, neither in number nor in tenured positions. African American studies also were not recognized as a separate Department, did not have their own budget, and could not hire their own professors. Pierce participated in struggles supporting such demands, also in fights for workers' rights. "Secretaries, mostly white, had many benefits, including free tuition for themselves and their children, also very good health care plans," says Pierce. "Groundkeepers and food workers, 80% black or Latino, on the other hand, did not. We protested, occupied the administration building, and went on hunger strike, until we got equal, equitable benefits for all." Graduating from Washington University with a Bachelor's degree in English, Pierce decided to join Eden Theological Seminary, right outside Saint Louis, to deepen his study of religion. A year earlier, at the age of 22, and crowning many years of preparation and a final taxing exam, he had already been ordained a minister. And a year into Divinity school, at age 24, he was hired as the senior pastor of an independent church, in Alton, IL, also near St Louis. Pierce's ministry for his new What is Beloved Community Church Beloved Community Church is an Independent Protestant Christian church. Its Beliefs: *God is always on the side of the oppressed in the struggle for liberation. God is on the side of Black People in the United States and around the world in their struggle against institutional and systemic racism. *The church can and should be a healing place where people can come to be loved and accepted as they are. *The church can and should be a place to strategize, not only to worship; a place where members can plan how to work together to make sure that God's love and justice is at work in the world, and not just something they talk about. Its Mission: *To live into and share God’s revolutionary love and justice so that Cincinnati becomes God’s Community of Peace.   Its Vision: *To be passionate in the pursuit of God’s peace, and intentional in resisting oppression, in oneself, the church, the community and the world. church lasted four years, during which he preached every Sunday and taught Bible studies every week. This is also when he connected with Gamaliel, a foundation that trains and develops leaders in lowincome communities, helping them create, maintain and expand independent, grassroots, and faithbased community organizations with the power to influence political and economic decisions that impact cities Reverend Nelson Pierce and regions. Exposed to community organizing, Pierce became taken by it. At the same time, he was pursuing his divinity studies, discussing daily issues of social justice through his various classes. Being black, he was also experiencing the prevailing racism and discrimination of the city of St Louis. "Before, we felt discriminatory behavior to be normal," says Pierce, "just for being black in America. But at Eden, our conversation became about the world, what it should be and look like, and especially about the role and responsibility of the church as an instrument for social justice everywhere." This led Pierce and his student friends to create a NAACP local chapter and to start using various resources to fight black-targeted police violence in the area. After graduating in 2008 with a Master's degree in Divinity, Pierce left his church and joined the staff of a larger local Baptist church where he participated in its mission and outreach programs. Two years later, in 2010, he returned to Cincinnati to become the senior pastor of the also independent Beloved Community Church in Norwood, a position he holds until now. For the 1st four years, and at the same time as ministering for his church, Pierce worked for Amos as a community organizer. He acted through churches, training pastors to help them understand issues and present them to their parishioners or provide someone to do it; gather petitions, canvassing from door to door asking people to sign them; helping changing laws and rules, etc. Credit: Saad Ghosn His efforts contributed significantly to the repeal, in 2011, of Senate bill 5 which would have limited collective bargaining for public employees in Ohio, and, in 2012, to reinstating weekend voting that the Ohio Secretary of State wanted to eliminate for the then presidential elections. In 2014 and in the wake of the killing of Michael Brown by white officer Darrel Wilson in Ferguson, Pierce responded to a call from PICO and went to St Louis to volunteer on a task force to organize, help the local clergy pay attention to what was happening in their city, teach them how to engage their voices in the debate, how to help their young black kids who were out in the streets. "I thought I was going to St Louis for only few days," says Pierce, "but I ended up staying there four full months. What I saw was so atrocious and the civil rights violations so egregious that I could not leave. The police had transformed Ferguson into a real war zone..." Taking advantage of his connection with Eden Theological Seminary and being one of its board (Continued on page 11) Religious Peacemakers is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati individuals who use their faith and religious beliefs for peace and justice. Saad.Ghosn@uc.edu is the founder of SOS (Save Our Souls) Art, an organization that promotes arts as vehicles for peace and justice and for a change. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 38 3 | J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 PHOTO ESSAY Murals of Cincinnati TONY CASTRUCCI Contributing Photographer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 9 �10 LOCAL J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 May 18 - June 9, 2018 For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Is it too late for Over-the-Rhine to be a Mixed-Income Neighborhood? No. 38 3 | J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 [Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Streetvibes 2016. It still seems relevant and I post it here as a tribute to our late friend Thomas A. Dutton.] onathan Diskin is a professor of economics at Earlham College. Thomas A. Dutton is director of the Miami University Center for Community Engagement in Overthe-Rhine. James C. Fraser is an associate professor of human and organizational development at Vanderbilt University. The dramatic transformation of lower Over-the-Rhine is widely hailed as an "urban renaissance." But for whom, precisely? As Xavier’s Community Building Institute’s recent housing study shows, the renaissance comes at a loss of roughly 75 percent of housing affordable to the very poor. That’s alarming. Mayor John Cranley, who once opposed allowing public funds for new low-income housing in OTR, recently proposed new spending for affordable housing, declaring in a June 1 CityBeat article that new development “should not come at the expense of the people who have lived here a long time.” While we J BILL WOODS (Continued from page 3) gun violence in this country. She cited the over two-hundred school shootings since Newtown, and the fact that 93-Americans die from gun violence every day. A personal experience prompted Mueller to get involved with Moms Demand Action. After hearing the news about a school shooting, her young granddaughter said she was afraid to go to school. MICHELLE DILLINGHAM (Continued from page 7) childhood poverty, residential SAAD GHOSN (Continued from page 8) members, Pierce used their facility as a home base for his and his friends' activist actions. For the past couple of years Pierce has also been working at Xavier University's Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice where he trains and directs a gospel choir consisting of students. They offer their services to various local churches. He also plans once a year retreats and trips exposing students to what community organizing is, how it can be beneficial, teaching them the tools for relationship building. He just returned from such a week trip to St Louis where he took ten Xavier University students to study racial and economic justice; engaging them JONATHAN DISKIN THOMAS A. DUTTON JAMES C. FRASER 11 and apartments, benefited from an average of about $200,000 worth of public and philanthropic money. Given this public/private arrangement, we can ask those who are reaping private gains from these public expenditures to cover some of the costs of more inclusive housing. The mayor’s call to extend the mechanism created to capture some of this new property value for the streetcar, the Voluntary Tax Incentive Contribution Agreement (VTICA), is a good start in this direction. This mechanism asks developers to contribute some portion of the property taxes that the city agrees to abate for 15 years, to a fund dedicated to some clear purpose. A portion of this money could fund low-income housing and support businesses that serve residents of modest means. Developers are getting sweet deals as the value of their property increases while hundreds of millions in public monies is pumped into OTR. We propose extending this principle of "value recapture" such that those who have invested in OTR property would pay a small tax to support inclusion if they sell and reap a huge capital gain. In a May 26 Enquirer article, Cranley says, “We have room to grow a city with everyone. That is when it really becomes a city." Effort is needed now to ensure housing affordability in OTR and elsewhere. Anything less will simply relocate the very concentrated poverty that he and others claim to address. are heartened the city recognizes that OTR has reached – or passed – a tipping point, clearly we need a greater focus on housing affordability if we are to have, in the mayor’s words, “a healthy community that is mixed income.” If the model of development below Liberty Street is reproduced throughout all of OTR, the neighborhood will be an enclave for more professional, whiter, and wealthier residents; an end game that pushes the poor from valuable areas to those with little commercial value or amenities, reproducing the very isolation that was so denounced by OTR development boosters, including the mayor. If mixed-income development is to be worthy of its name, it must secure the tenure of people who live below the reach of the market. Letting the market run is no option as housing markets segregate by income. Two basic points must be at the forefront of policy deliberation to insure that more of the poor are not displaced. First, demonstrate the same level of commitment to secure poor households as the city did with market-rate development. Small intermittent gestures will not suffice because the market is roaring in OTR and rents and property values are rising rapidly. We need to employ now all the tools that nationwide experts agree work. These can include: • Inclusionary zoning • Limited-equity cooperatives • Community land trusts • Shared equity models •Anti-Displacement and Housing Retention Ordinances (which ironically Cincinnati once had) These policies are hardly radical; many U.S. cities use at least one. But none of these exist in Cincinnati, perhaps due to a lack of real interest in housing affordability in OTR. Inclusivity will not materialize unless concerted action is taken – and soon. Second, fund affordable housing through a "shared equity" model. Make no mistake, OTR’s raging market has been fostered with a huge infusion of public money, from beautification to park renovations to commercial building renovation. Our analysis, based on 3CDC’s public disclosures about its financing sources, shows that new units of housing, including condos The kind of fear expressed by her granddaughter brought home to Mueller how unacceptable the current situation is. Modeled after Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Mothers Demand Action has grown to approximately 3.5-million supporters. It's organizers over the years have shaped it to be able to go toe to toe with the NRA (National Rifle Association). MDA's goals include closing the holes in our background check system, supporting limits on where, when and how loaded guns are carried and used in public, and promoting gun safety measures to curb the risks that children are currently exposed to. Fresh from a day in Columbus lobbying members of the Ohio General Assembly, Mueller is optimistic about the passage of a Bill that would allow judges to issue protection orders to remove guns from potentially dangerous individuals. Although Mothers Demand Action is non-partisan, she told Forum attendees that it plans to actively support candidates this fall who advocate for common sense gun safety laws. She concluded by announcing some upcoming events such as a community gathering on June 2nd at Washington Park, 3:00PM. segregation and income mobility. What was so offensive is not that this deal was hatched and negotiated behind closed doors with lip service given to neighborhood residents. Cincinnatians are used to that. It was that the community benefits agreement process revealed how very far we are away from truly equitable development in our city. [Michelle Dillingham lives in Kennedy Heights and is a member of the Cincinnati Educational Justice Coalition.] with community activists; examining what happened in Ferguson and the protests in the wake of the recent acquittal of Jason Stockley, the former officer who had shot to death in 2011 African American driver Anthony Lamar Smith; experiencing the current homeless crisis in the face of the bitter cold wave that has been affecting the area. Pierce recently joined the Cincinnati Homeless Coalition board where he will be using his community organizing skills to make a difference. He served as the field director for Yvette Simpson's recent mayoral campaign. And he is very engaged with the Black Lives Matter movement, supporting it in any way he can. Pierce also keeps his church community involved in many of his activities. "I try to equip my parishioners with tools and resources to always stand on the side of justice," he says. "One cannot do Christian religion without speaking of social justice. It is an important part of the Gospel, and an important part of who we are as a church." Pierce's church will be soon leaving Norwood to relocate in Avondale, sharing space with Fred Shuttlesworth's Greater Light Baptist church. He hopes that this proximity will create even more opportunities for his church's engagements in social justice. When asked what he would like to achieve in the future, Pierce is quick to answer: "Help the most vulnerable, the poor and oppressed, which often times mean the blacks, high on the list in America." "I would like to help them organize and create the power necessary to start a systemic change toward an equal and just society," he states; "empower them to fight for their dignity," he adds. Pierce would like also to help reframe and reimagine what religion is like and what society should be. He would always use his strengths of community organizing and political advocacy to achieve his goals of a just and peaceful world. Contributing Writers THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED [Editor’s note: The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition does not endorse candidates.] [Note of the author: An edited version of last issue's article featuring Troy Bronsink has been posted on line at www.sosartcincinnati. wordpress.com.] �12 STREET VOICE WHY IS CANCER MORTALITY SO HIGH FOR MINORITIES IN CINCINNATI? PART 9: PHYSICIAN QUALITY IS UNKNOWN BY PATIENTS 1. Introduction: One key area contributing to patient mortality is the absence of knowledge about physicians who are qualified to treat cancer. Both of the authors of this article have had extensive experience with cancer, one as a navigator and the other as a cancer patient. Our experience suggests that evaluation of competent physicians and hospitals is largely guesswork. Sometimes we have guessed right and had very good results. Other times, the guesses have left us with a feeling of fear of making the wrong decision, with life or death consequences. Theoretically, we thought our decisions would be easier as we had the opportunity, with our insurance and with our primary care providers, to choose from any one of the hospitals with cancer institutes in Cincinnati. In reality, we faced questions that did not have clear answers. We wanted to know: who is the "best" doctor for this kind of cancer? Which is the "best" hospital for having surgery or treatment? What doctors have the best results in terms of short term success and longterm survival? What are the criteria the patient should use to answer these questions? These questions are major obstacles for people who are poor. Not having a history of consistent relationship with a physician or a hospital, the patient resists going forward with screening and treatments. Not knowing who can advise them on doctors who are friendly, competent, and affordable adds to the barriers for movement toward healthcare. Most importantly, many people have had “bad” experiences when going to the Emergency Room or watching how family members have been poorly treated by physicians, nurses, and the healthcare admissions process. 2. Physician quality is controversial: Physicians and patients have been interested in issues of quality since the turn of the 20th century. In 1910, a physician, Ernest Codman, developed the “End Result System.” Codman was interested in how any treatments given to a patient could be evaluated in terms of “end results.” His plan ignored the reputation of the physician and DR. MARK MUSSMAN (Continued from page 5) records to people who are being marginalized by society. With all these systems trying to take you down, why would you want people to think you are experiencing homelessness? J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 STEVE SUNDERLAND JEANNIE MASTERSON CSJ Contributing Writer the hospital and concentrated on the “clinical consequences of a doctor’s effort.” (I. Rutkow (2010). Seeking a cure: A history of medicine in America. Scribner, p. 143.) Rodman and his system were rejected and found to be too controversial. Other attempts to create lists of “outstanding hospitals and physicians” continue to be sources of conflict and disagreement about the scientific nature of the evaluation versus “popularity contests.” In the absence of an agreed upon method of evaluation, and the rise of health insurance policies that drastically limit the amount of time a physician can have with a patient, the problem of selecting a physician and hospital has only gotten worse. 3. Cancer is a complicated and fearful disease: Most people have known someone who had cancer or who had died of cancer. The persistence of cancer as a major killer has continued to make it one of the most feared diagnosis for a person to hear. People who have not had a doctor or could not afford insurance or didn’t feel welcome in a health center or hospital even when they suspected they may have had cancer, are the most likely candidates for death due to unexamined and treated cancers. Harold Freeman, MD, a New York based surgeon, realized that the high mortality rate in his patients was due, in large part, to their having their cancer examined too late, when the cancer had progressed to an untreatable stage. His program of patient navigators sought to find people in the community who could be encouraged to come earlier to the hospital. Over a 5-year time period, with the navigation program providing assistance, Freeman was able to cut the death rate by 70%. His program spread to other physicians and hospitals, with the same results. Navigators, trained guides who largely worked with individuals in churches, community centers, schools, and neighborhood associations, were able to dramatically improve life for cancer patients in N.Y., Philadelphia, Memphis, Denver, and many other cities. 4. Cancer treatment is helped by compassionate communication in relationships: The key to effective outcomes is regular, trusted, and caring communication. Navigators, working with physicians, nurses, and other health care providers, can provide the needed time for discussion of the emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual impact of a cancer experience. It is clear that many people who are poor or at high risk have little understanding of the dangers of cancer or of the risks of untreated cancer. Feeding oneself and family, adequate housing, maintaining employment, and personal and family safety, may be the major issues and priorities facing a person with limited financial means. Often, there is not a relationship with a healthcare system or with a doctor or hospital whom the person knows and trusts. Without a lifetime of experience with doctors and hospitals or with the questions and concerns that need to be answered as a person interacts, a person can be lost, frustrated and despondent about receiving any kind of health care. Navigators can change this reality. Navigators can establish a trusting relationship with the person, accompany the person to the healthcare facility, assist with transportation, family, and safety obstacles, and sit with the person as they describe their health concerns and help support the person as they listen to what the physician suggests as next steps. One of us experienced a caring two-hour discussion of cancer and many of its implications, all provided without a navigator. We believe that navigators can encourage physicians and nurses to take the time to deepen patient and care staff's understanding of cancer. Trusting relationships, with both a navigator and a physician, can turn around a situation from being a crisis to being an opportunity for health. 5. Compassion pays off for patients, doctors, and the health care system: Research on trusting relationships with doctors and navigators has shown powerful results: reductions in mortality, increases in patient satisfaction from having ongoing caring relationships, reductions in hospitalizations, greater satisfaction by physicians There are several factors that go into trust, including whether someone is an expert, if they are consistent, if they are professional, and if they have some kind of altruistic intentions. People who experience homelessness should be trusted as experts. Their lived experience has weight to it. So, if you are unsure if someone is “faking it,” why not ask them? Why not sit down and ask them to their face? Imagine doing this, and think about how it makes you feel — are you faking being a human who cares for people who are struggling? Or are you just a product of a capitalist THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED who have regained the experience of getting to know the “whole person,” and dramatic savings in health care costs.(K. Tingley (5/16/18) Trying to put a value on the doctor-patient relationship. NY. Times Magazine.) With trusting relationships, a deeper quality of questions can be asked by the patient. The physician has the new opportunity of taking time to explain what is known and unknown in the treatment process and, newly, what the patient can do to increase their own understanding and action. A partnership is created; not bounded by artificial limits of 15 minutes, or by a kind of jargon that is beyond comprehension, or by a coldness that seems to imply limited chances. Instead, the partnership celebrates life, encourages realistic risks, honors the courage of the patient to keep in their treatment, and embraces the basic truth that people who have cancer and are poor are worthy of the most outstanding care. 6. Making a list of the Compassionate and Competent: We believe it is essential to make a list of those practitioners who are both compassionate and competent in healthcare. This list could be acknowledged as highly personal, as a beginning. We would like to see stories of how compassionate physicians, nurses, and navigators made the difference for the patient. We would like to see the list being a valuable addition to what word or mouth, or physician or navigators would recommend. The list would serve as a guide that helps the person without any information take the first steps to finding the allies necessary for facing the unknowns of cancer. [Please send us stories of these experiences to steve.c.sunderland@ icloud.com] --------------------------------------- society that favors profit over people and challenges the experiences of others? --------------------------------------- �13 STREET VOICE No. 38 3 | J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 NO ONE ASKED THE FAKE NEWS MOTHER GOOSE No one asked. Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie, How are you today? No one asked, Because no one cared Heard the news and let out a cry: "Is the news fake or is it quite true? Maybe because everyone is too busy This news dilemma makes me blue. Someone went home today I guess if Trump tweets out it's fake, Feeling, sad and empty It must be true for goodness sake." No one asked, No one cared Sometimes no one should have to ask. BILL WOODS Contributing Writer YESTERDAY When was the last time you asked someone could you help them? It’s so sad when no one cares enough to ask! KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer Yesterday is long gone and so very far behind Yesterday is something only in our minds does it shine Yesterday is when the elders had troubles far away Yesterday I accept is the past so I live only for today Someone said tomorrow is not promised and yesterday has past Someone said right now is what’s going on so tell me how long can it last I believe that a mixture of the past and the present in the world of today Is all we need to endure for the future belongs to only God I say So why not live one day at a time and each moment experience the treasure I believe our lives would be much easier, happier and full of God’s love and pleasure! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 152 Across 1. Affirm solemnly 5. Part of a circle 8. Successor 12. Musical drama 13. Close 15. Exhort 16. Guide 17. Large spider 19. Golf peg 20. Buccaneer 21. Seed case 22. Speck 25. Draw 26. Small dog breed 27. Excusable 29. Lyric poem 31. Wash off soap 32. Symbol 35. Flat-bottomed boat 39. Become liable to 40. Water soaked soil 41. Bakery item 42. Beverage 43. In bed 44. Unit of weight 45. Outward flow 47. Smear 49. Jurisprudence 52. Epoch 54. Succulent 55. Strong elastic wood 56. Inform 59. Hard-shelled seed 62. Close observer 64. Speak up 66. Oracle 67. Information 68. Deplete 69. Merely 70. Beam 71. Simpleton Down 1. Part of a church 2. Intensity of expression 3. Metal-bearing mineral 4. Armed conflict 5. Not in favor of 6. Raise or bring up 7. Unit of weight for precious stones 8. Shack 9. Burst out 10. Ice hut 11. Poised for action 12. Away from home 14. An allotted fixed portion 18. Anything necessary but lacking 20. Leguminous plant 23. Underwrite 24. Grade or level 27. Climbing or creeping plant 28. Tree branch 30. Former currency of Portugal 31. Cut of meat 33. Pool stick 34. Betting ratio 36. Suitable to your needs 37. On one occasion 38. Very small 41. Music genre 43. Overseas 46. Formed a curve 48. Month of the year 49. Lariat 50. Poplar tree 51. Steering device 53. Essential oil or perfume from flowers 57. Scintilla 58. Wear away by rubbing 60. Component part 61. Decimal base 63. Weep 64. Peculiar 65. In favor of PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 382 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 151 J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 282 - MEDIUM SODOKU PUZZLE NO 281- MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 38 3 | J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 Central Access Point 381-SAFE Shelter: Women and Children Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave. 45214 557-2873 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 6037 Cary Ave. 45224 Salvation Army 762-5660 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 131 E. 12th Street 45202 Shelter: Men Shelterhouse 411 Gest St. 45203 241-5525 Parkway Center 661-4620 1805 Dalton Ave. 45214 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti Mental Health Access Point NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 Other Resources St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 215 E. 14th St. 45202 621-7265 112 E. Liberty Street 45202 4600 Erie Ave. 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 1125 Bank Street 45214 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 2121 Vine Street 45202 682 Hawthorne Ave. 45205 Shelter: Youth Sheakley Center for Youth (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave. 45219 569-9500 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave 45220 961-4080 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women Shelter: Family Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both Interfaith Hospitality Network Housing: First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 471-1100 761-1480 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 Talbert House Tender Mercies 221-HELP 721-8666 Tom Geiger House Volunteers of America Anna Louise Inn 961-4555 381-1954 421-5211 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 114 W. 14th Street 45202 27 W. 12th Street 45202 2401-2411 Reading Rd. 45202 2401 Reading Rd. 45202 VA VA Homeless Food/Clothing 421-0065 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 OTR: 1620 Vine Street 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert Ave. 45206 351-0422 381-6672 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 1522 Republic Street 45202 Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP Advocacy 977-6800 859-572-6226 First Lutheran Church 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry AA Hotline CCAT 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. 45214 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 721-4700 421-7803 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 UpSpring 363-3300 Health 621-5300 961-1983 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 386-7899 535-2719 751-8771 4230 Hamilton Ave. 45223 721-0643 City Gospel Mission 1730 Race Street 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen St. George Food Pantry 2554 Dennis St. 45219 Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 1528 Race St. 45202 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street 45202 15 961-0600 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 3550 Washington Ave. 45229 5 E. Liberty St. 45202 for 26 issues 558-8888 351-3500 977-4489 Center Independent Living Options Peaslee Neighborhood Center 241-2600 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart Goodwill Industries Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Mary Magdalen House 381-0111 771-4800 579-8547 721-4811 1223 Main St. 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton County Office of Reentry 946-4304 138 E. Court Street Room # 101 First Floor Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 981-4200 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 VA Domiciliary 859-572-6202 Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky 634 Scott St. 41011 859-291-4555 You can support our mission and spread the word about your business. For more information contact Justin Jeffre at 513421-70803 x 12 or email streetvibes@ cincihomeless.org $100 352-6363 Want to advertise in Streetvibes? Cincinnati Health Network 2825 Burnet Ave. 45219 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 J u n e 1 - J u n e 14 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 S treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BETTIE BAILEY SINCE 10/2017 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 BRIAN ADAMS SINCE 7/2017 CHARLES WILLIAMS SINCE 7/2017 CHRISTOPHER KAIHATSU SINCE 7/2017 CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DARREL ROZIER SINCE 7/2017 DAVID MCCANE SINCE 2017 ERIC VALDEZ SINCE 2/2017 GERALD FRANKLIN SINCE 7/2017 GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 HENRY BRELAND SINCE 7/2017 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2000 JENNY BURTON SINCE 7/2017 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 KIM NGUYEN SINCE 7/2017 KENNY BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MARK SHEARS SINCE 4/2012 MAURICE GOLSBY MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MIKE CARANO SINCE 4/2016 RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 1999 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 STACIA HOLLANDER SINCE 2017 STEPHANIE EAKES SINCE 7/2017 SYLVESTER WALKER SINCE 7/2017 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2011 VICTOR MUMPHRY WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 WINNIE RICE SINCE 7/2017 QUEENACELASTINE SINCE 7/2017 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 VIOLET COLLINS SINCE 2017 � 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 2018 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 June 1-June 14, 2018 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director A New Burst of Energy for the Grassroots Campaign to Curb Gun Violence in the U.S. Pg 3: “Right-to-Work” and Poverty Rates Pg 4: GCHC Pg 5: Faking It Pg 6: How to Respond to Panhandling Pg 7: Stadium Deal Revealed Inequities How About a Marketing Campaign for Those in Need? Pg 8: Religious Peacemakers Pg 9: Photo Essay Pg 10: GCHC Pg 11: Is it too late for Over-the-Rhine to be a Mixed-Income Neighborhood? Pg 12: Why is Cancer Mortality so High for Minorities in Cincinnati? Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 1-June 14, 2018 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Michael Earl Patton Dr. Mark Mussman Michelle Dillingham Jason Haap Saad Ghosn Johnathan Diskin Thomas A. Dutton James C. Fraser Steve Sunderland Jeannie Masterson Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Justin Jeffre Tony Castrucci Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Bill Woods campaign Cancer Cincinnati Dr. Mark Mussman FC James C. Fraser Jason Haap Jeannie Masterson Johnathan Diskin Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kim Green Michael Earl Patton Michelle Dillingham Minorities Mural Over-the-Rhine Photography poverty Religion Saad Ghosn Steve Sunderland Thomas A. Dutton Tony Castrucci Voting Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/705eb64c519990056dffc41ea3b1c949.pdf 58dbcd6f18a187c78d6034d3210e1c5a PDF Text Text Distributor Profile: ST RDavis EE T V IB E S Jerry Photo Essay Capturing the Moment J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 PG 3 J U N E 1 0 T H - 2 3 R D 2 0 11 PG 8 ISSUE 201 1 PG 16 ADVOCATING JUSTICE • BUILDING COMMUNITY Tebbe Remembered SUSAN LAKES Streetvibes Staff Writer T he trees, planters, patio seating area and signs all look the same at Venice on Vine in downtown Cincinnati. So do the streetlights. The restaurant is still a hub of activity, serving up some hot pizza, organic coffee and a variety of meals while trainers train and learners learn. Opportunities to dine in or carry out remain, and the place still bills itself as “Good Food for a Good Cause,” with diversity, education, community and collaboration as guiding values. Things might look the same, but they aren’t. Tebbe isn’t there. Mary “Tebbe” Farrell, Venice on Vine’s beloved trainer, died May 20, 2011. The sting of the loss is still fresh for her co-workers, friends and those she dedicated her life to serving. The loss is real, but those close to her vow they’ll carry on. After all, that’s what the energetic playwright, video and music producer, Tebbe’s chair at Venice on Vine remains the same as it was when she arts promoter and used it. Photo: Josie Pickens educator would tive director for Venice on Vine/Venice want. Catering. Tebbe is gone but not forgotten. Tebbe brought special gifts and “There isn’t any place in this restautalents to the workplace, and many rant you won’t see the footprint of credit her work with making Venice a Tebbe,” said Rina Saperstein, execu- Mary “Tebbe” Farrell. Photo: Venice on Vine See Tebbe, page 5 Seeking Refuge in a Street Paper INÊS SANTINHOS GONÇALVES Street News Service www.streetnewsservice.org The reasons why people become street paper vendors are many and diverse. Some are homeless; others suffer mental or physical health problems, struggle with addiction or face unemployment. And some people do it because the magazines offer them the refuge they so desperately need. A round the world, street papers have been welcoming people who felt too insecure to stay in their home lands. Whether or not they have official refugee status in Isaac Nwankwere, who escaped from Nigeria, sells the street paper Augustin in Austria. their newly adopted countries, Photo: Mario Lang / Augustin what these vendors often have in common is the fear to return to See Seeking Refuge, page 10 The Failing American Dream PG 5 facebook.com/streetvibes cincinnati Building Bridges Through Music PG 6 twitter.com/streetvibesnews Day by Day Calendar Project PG 11 streetvibes.wordpress.com �Editorial 2 BRIEF UPDATES STAFF REPORT ALEC Follow Up: In the May 13th edition #199, we introduced you to the American Legislative Executive Council or ALEC for short, when peaceful protesters marched on Fountain Square to demand accountability and transparency from the group of legislators and policy advocates who held a spring task force meeting in the Queen City April 29. The protesters made these demands from ALEC: •All donors of $200 and more, • ALEC members who hold elected office, •Full text of model legislation and public policy discussion leading up to the legislation, and •Disclosure of the cases in which ALEC model legislation is entered into bills, specifically the source of the legislative text. In a follow up email to Reagan Weber, director of public affairs for ALEC, we asked for the same information and more. Specifically, we’re interested in finding out just what the group accomplished when it met in Cincinnati and just who from our area is on the ALEC membership roll. Follow up is particularly important since ALEC billed the Cincinnati task force meeting this way: State Legislators Gather and Discuss State Policy Solutions to Lead the Nation to Economic Success and Stability. The ALEC representative has had four days to send her response or to direct us to a source who can respond. We’ve heard nothing so far. We’ll keep you updated on that request. Pet Companions Follow Up: After our pet story ran in the May 13th edition #199, we heard some good news about what one service organization is doing for people and pets. Senior Services of Northern Kentucky has a Animeals-OnWheels program where donated pet food is delivered to seniors who receive home meals. Animeals-On-Wheels began about five years ago after staff discovered that some seniors were sharing their home-delivered meals with their non-human friends. Senior Services put out a plea for pet food donations, and the public came to the rescue. Senior Services of Northern Kentucky needs your help. You can donate pet food at the Covington Office, located at 1032 Madison Avenue. Drop it off or call (859) 4910522 if you’d like to have it picked up. Senior Services also accepts people food donations. (shelf stable products), and welcomes new volunteers. ST R EET VIBES J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 “Who Ya Gonna Call?!” Not the Ghostbusters if you’re trying to unclog a toilet o you call a plumber to wire a home? You certainly could pick up phone and call a plumber to come and wire a room in your home. Most plumbers would immediately say, “No, I can’t wire a home, I am a plumber not a certified electrician.” Most plumbers would say “If I wired your home I would put you in danger and my business in danger, because I am not qualified to safely do electricity.” But of course, nearly all of us would never call a plumber to do wiring. What stops us? Clearly common sense, a desire to do things sustainably correct and especially safe stop us. A sense that we want our home to be the best that it can, stops us. What would you do if a plumber knocked on your door and said, “Hey, I heard you need some wiring done, I’ll do the wiring for a discount and I’ll also bring some of my other plumber friends to help so the job get’s done quickly.” Would your eyes get wide and heart start beating fast because you found a way to get the job done quickly and cheaply? Or would common sense, a desire for sustainable quality and safety still click in? Most likely, you would so, “No, I’m going to call a certified electrician to do my wiring.” One more question, what if one of those “protect your money” programs came on the television and the topic was “How to Safely Wire your Home on Budget,” and immediately after the title flashed you saw a person with a snake, plunger and badge saying “certified plumber,” would you listen to her or his advice? Ok, just checking one more time, obviously you would not. Well guess what. In the city of Cincinnati and the county of Hamilton, we have an organization masquerading as something they are not. We have an organization acting as if they are experts on an area of study they have no certifiable training in. Currently 3CDC is parading about the region explaining that they are working to create better shelters and services for people who are homeless. They are claiming to be leading much of these processes and to know what people who are homeless need. This is interesting because nobody on their staff is a Social Worker, Counselor or has ever held a professional position in a shelter, affordable housing provider, jobs placement organization, etc. In addition they are the organization that has repeatedly put people out of their affordable homes and closed affordable housing, despite the fact that the primary cause of homelessness in America is a lack of affordable housing. You would think if they were experts on helping people who are homeless and they cared about ending homelessness, they would not put people out of their affordable homes and lessen the quantity of affordable housing. So why, when many of us hear 3CDC quoted in the paper, etc. talking about all their hard work for people who are homeless and their new ideas to fight homelessness, do many of us believe them, count their word as that from an expert and move on? The reason is that 3CDC not only looks progressive, colorful and inclusive on the surface, but their board includes many of our local Fortune 500 companies. Companies that not only horde money that the rest of us need, but companies that have spent many years figuring out how to market to all of us and convince that we need things we don’t and that they are the only companies that can properly fulfil those needs. We are being duped politically by professional advertisers, salespersons and connivers. We all have different roles, talents and responsibilities. If you are a social worker, do social work, if you are a plumber, do plumbing, if you are condo developer, develop condos (without putting others out), if you are sales person, sell things. It is when we cross these wires that we create role-confusion and conflict. Social workers should social work and not claim to be salespersons, and condo developers should not claim to be shelter experts. D Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) GCCH is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Website: www.cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes.wordpress.com Staff Executive Director Josh Spring Director of Operations Catie Dargue Director of Education & Outreach, Design & Layout Jeni Jenkins Staff Writer Susan Lakes Civil Rights Outreach Coordinator Riccardo Taylor Reception & Office Admin Della Woolens, Ruby Goode Georgia Bohannon, Stephen Gentry Contributing Writers: Willa Denise Jones, Scott Switzer, Saad Ghosn, Jim Luken, Lee Mccoy,Inês Santinhos Gonçalves, Cleo Wombles Photography/Artwork: Melvin Grier, Susan Lakes, Jeni Jenkins, Saad Ghosn, Bill Howes, Anthony Williams Mario Lang, Paul Davis, Aimie Willhoite Summer Interns Journalism, Media & PR Jesse Call Journalism, Media & PR Jason Dean Journalism, Media & PR Mark Mendoza Research Alisa Balestra Education & Outreach Harrison Lott Development Corey Luthringer Statistics Brittany Fong Civil Rights/Social Justice Terique Scott �Distributor Program ST R EE T V IB E S 3 J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 STREETVIBES IS DISTRIBUTED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO PURCHASE THE PAPER FOR 25 CENTS PER COPY AND SELL IT FOR A $1 DONATION, KEEPING THE PROFIT THEY HAVE EARNED. BECOMING A DISTRIBUTOR IS A GREAT WAY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FINANCIALLY POOR TO GET BACK ON (OR STAY ON) THEIR FEET. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME FOR THOSE UNABLE TO SECURE OTHER EMPLOYMENT. MONEY EARNED HELPS MEET BASIC HOUSING, FOOD AND HEALTH CARE NEEDS. THE PROGRAM IS A HAND UP FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE OFTEN IN A PLACE OF GETTING ONLY A HAND OUT, OR EVEN NO HAND AT ALL. ALL DISTRIBUTORS WEAR A BADGE AND CAN BE FOUND SELLING THE PAPER IN DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI, CLIFTON, NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND AREA CHURCHES. CURRENT DISTRIBUTORS Distributor Profile: Jerry Davis SUSAN LAKES Streetvibes Staff Writer J ALFRED BRANDON NELSON WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 SINCE 4/2008 CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DAVID TOUGH 3/2011 DELESA HENDERSON NEW 5/2011 ELISA HILL SINCE 9/2010 GRADY COOK SINCE 8/2007 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES BYBEE SINCE 9/2010 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JAMES MOORE SINCE 11/2010 JERRY DAVIS SINCE 5/2011 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 JULIE WALKER SINCE 6/2007 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MARK DAUGHTERY NEW 3/2011 MARK ANTHONY SHEARS SINCE 12/2007 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 PAMELA TAYLOR NEW 6/2011 RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAY BREWER NEW 5/2011 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY LUNDY NEW 5/2011 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 SHANNON MOATS NEW 3/2011 TAMMY GRIES NEW 5/2011 TERRY RANSON SINCE10/2008 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 VICTORIA MINOR NEW 3/2011 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 erry Davis, 46, is so new to selling Streetvibes you haven’t seen his photo appear alongside ones of other vendors. He decided to take the job to meet people and make contacts for his landscaping business. That hasn’t happened yet, but he’s positive. “You never know when that might come,” he said. “Timing is everything.” When he’s not working, Davis reads and collects comic books. It’s a hobby he got hooked on as a child. He also watches Sci-Fi, and enjoys the old Alfred Hitchcock films. Davis is getting in a routine for Streetvibes sales. He’s found that early in the week, sales are slower, so he spends most of his time distributing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Jerry Davis, Streetvibes distributor. Photo: Susan Lakes Davis likes having the supplemental income, but there’s something besides the money that made him pick Streetvibes. “Maybe I can make a difference,” he said, adding that he enjoys reading the stories about people he knows. Davis picked another way to make a difference even before he decided to distribute the papers. He was one of first members of The Homeless Congress, a new initiative sponsored by The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. He did this at a time in his life when he lost his job and had to move into a local shelter. Davis will return to college in the fall to study information systems or landscaping/horticulture. He says he is prepared for the challenge this time around. THE DETAILS: To find out more about the Homeless Congress contact Riccardo Taylor at (513) 421-7803, or stop by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at 117 East 12th Street in Cincinnati. Interested in becoming a Streetvibes Distributor? Follow these six simple steps to be on your way: 1) Pick up a Distributor packet at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, located at 117 East 12th Street, Cincinnati. 2) Fill out the Distributor Application Form, and initial each statement on the Code of Conduct and sign & review the Disciplinary Policy 3) Read the most recent copy of Streetvibes. 4) Attend an Orientation Thursdays at 10AM 5) Take and pass the quiz Tuesdays at 10AM. 6) Receive approval and have your picture taken, a badge will be made and you will be provided with 10 free papers to get you started! Questions? Call: (513) 421-7803 � Commentary 4 The Meaning O ften we have to ask ourselves says life makes you. So, the meaning what is the meaning of life? will be as varied as the individuals. And without the expectation Far too often we are looking for of answers we start a those external search. A search that elements to starts outside of ourgive us true selves, always looking meaning, only for answers before we to find in time even present a question. that those So, I ask, are the anelements fade, swers to life’s questions or become external as we often outdated and seem to think, or are they we need to internal as the innate find replacerealms of our existence ments in order RICCARDO TAYLOR indicates? to satisfy their Staff Writer Well I suppose meanings. the answer can only be determined We continue to seek relief from our by investigation of our thoughts and stresses focusing on the symptoms beliefs. Therefore, the meaning of instead of the causes. Again, those life can be realized only through the outside factors which make things searching of the self, in so much to much more difficult to control, we say, embracing our uniqueness. The seemingly can never conclude, keep reality that everyone has uniqueness us from ever concluding exactly what that is relative to everyone else, yet it is that creates our problems. We so different is, the epitome of being. can play the blame game and never So you ask, what is it that I am talking accept the responsibility; if only the about exactly? Well, the simplest of world would change so that it would fit answers is the meaning of life. the way I would like it to be! SomeWhat is life? Beyond the biologithing is always going wrong, and cal and mental, life is a series of ups I know it has to be everybody and and downs, wins and losses. Some every thing but me! So the question say it’s what you make it while others remains! What is the meaning of life? ST R EET VIBES J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 The idea of taking on responsibility has to play a part. We keep seeing that all those ifs, and, why’s continue to come out the same way! It’s the what’s, how’s and when’s that we have to account for. It is for that reason we have to stop looking for the meaning of life outside of us, and start to look for the meaning from within. Keeping up with the Jones’ makes you feel good but does it satisfy or take care of the things you need? Our indulgence of everything that appeals to our senses leads to discomforts and troubles. Immediate gratification comes from the outside, while true pleasure comes from within. Riccardo Taylor. Photo: GCCH Oh! finding that exact combination of the external founded by the meaning of life. and internal to grasp the correct formula for searching the self is in finality the only path for discovering the true riccardotaylor@cincihomeless.org meaning of life. So we search! (513) 421-7803 Ex. 15 Although I search with the tools of understanding I also am con- Who Is the Wizard Behind the Big Screen? LEE MCCOY Contributing Writer and Streetvibes Distributor were coming back. Now here’s what got me hot: four minutes left in the game, Dallas’ lead had sunk from 20 to seven. I turned my head to say something to my friend, look back up at the screen and Lord forgive me for the things that spewed out of my mouth. Guess what Lee McCoy. Photo: Paul Davis Photography happened? They switched the game to Saturday ou can bet it’s not the Wizard Night Live. I couldn’t believe this. My of Oz—after all, we don’t live friends told me to calm down (they in Kansas. Only in Cincindo this all the time). I was too hot to nati do you have a wizard who has flunked wizard school. No one likes a listen. Off to find the Wizard—and I am not talking about the Wizard of person who is in control of what you Oz. watch. But let me explain why I am I found two of the ambassadors so hot at whoever is the controller of who clean up Cincinnati and they told The Big Screen on Fountain Square. me to go down to the garage and I am watching the Dallas/Oklahotalk to the people down there. Well ma game, game two, Dallas leading I found two guys behind this grass by 20 points the whole game. It was cage. When I tried to find out who a run away until the fourth quarter, controlled the Screen, it might as nine minutes left in the game, Oklawell have been a joke to them. But I homa down by 20 points, and all of was not laughing. Then, like a slap a sudden Oklahoma started to play in the face, I came back to reality. like it was the beginning of the game. Only in Cincinnati can something like Now I am sitting on the edge of my this happen. Even if Dorothy were seat. Some of my buddies hitting me here with me, clicking her heels three on the back, my arms telling me here times, it wouldn’t do any good. they come, and sure enough, they Y Okay, let’s move to May 29th, the Cincinnati Reds playing Atlanta. It’s a good pitching game, Atlanta up two to one in the seventh inning, and you won’t believe this. Déjà vu—this time we go to poker on the Screen. Now let me give you some background. People are drinking, eating Taste of Cincinnati, glaring at the game, some watching while drinking a beer. After that switch, I just started watching the people going to do something else. Only in Cincinnati do they tell you to come on down to downtown for the Wizard who flunked counting school changing channels like the lollypop kids. It costs an arm and a leg to park, and the biggest joke in the Land of Oz that they call Fountain Square: Why is the bathroom locked when you have something? People moving around, some drinking beer, coming out of windows, watching or just looking around the Square, but if they have to use the bathroom, “Sorry, Charlie.” If there is no event, the bathroom is closed by 9pm. Now I see why people relieve themselves in different doorways. I mean it does look better in somebody’s corner than on oneself. What would you do? And it’s not just the poor or the homeless. I see people with suits on, females lifting up their dress. But then again, doesn’t 3CDC run Fountain Square? Only in Cincinnati does the Wicked Witch live forever. Upon returning to Fountain Square, however, it would appear that the good witch Glenda did a nice turn for the folks of Cincinnati and landed a few porta-potties there; shame they didn’t squish the Wizard of the Big Screen. Great Books! visit www.cincybooks.com �Commentary ST R EE T V IB E S 5 J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 The Failing American Dream Musings from an Outsider Looking In CATIE DARGUE Streetvibes Staff Writer spent the weekend in Loudoun County Virginia, it was beautiful; green rolling hills, lush trees, horses in pasture, vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see, and houses. Those big American dream sort of houses with four garages on the side, three stories high, American flag flying outside the porch, swing set in the back, and a BBQ grill just begging to be used. But there was something very wrong with this picture. There were no people. The houses were all for sale, no cars in the garage, windows open with no furniture in sight, and no smoke on that BBQ. Whether the houses are new, people have moved, or they have been repossessedd, I have to ask myself, is this the American Dream? What happened? I have struggled for a long time my own personal definition of the “Ameri- Source: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2010/11/30/waking-up-from-the-american-dream/ can Dream” and though I think it’s difthat if I had a master’s degree I could no mortgage, no car, no babies on the ferent for every individual I do feel that way, and no burgers on the grill. there is a pressure from our country to earn even more money at what I was doing. How would I pay for the extra Most of my friends who were conform to a certain image, an image student loans? My really high paying actually making some money still that most people would say they are job would help me cover them surely. complained constantly that it wasn’t having trouble maintaining. enough while they seemed to disapIn high school I knew I would go to At this point I had seen most of my pear into a working depression where college because it was “the next step,” undergraduate friends compete for jobs in Starbucks and local restaurants life was dull, money was everything, but no one ever explained to me how and I thought, where were all these and passion was a dream of the past. to afford this. We were told (by our amazing high paying jobs we were My trust funder friends from university mentors, the Game of Life, and our assured? No bother, I’ll go back to all moved back in with their parents or country) that if we went to college and school and I’m sure they will await my lived in an apartment rented or bought got a degree we would get a better graduation. by their parents while they figured paying job. It wouldn’t matter what I was lucky to have a part time out what they wanted to do with their we took out in loans because our well job during grad school that then hired lives, and then complained that the paying job would pay them off for us. me full time after because again there $2000 month trust fund was no longer I got lucky, I received some federal were no jobs that I could apply for that enough to pay for their life style. My grants, a local scholarship, help from utilized my education and my skill set. poor friends have remained just that, my father (who selflessly extended Now I was about $70,000 in debt, no poor. Some of them were able to his own retirement to put me through promise of a better job on the horizon, pursue engineering degrees and land school) and I managed to emerge a no car, still renting and putting most good jobs that helped at least pull graduate with only $20,000 of debt, them out of poverty, but most of us are of my expenses on my credit cards only! I got an okay job about three in about the same place. Underapbecause I wasn’t getting paid enough months later which was the result of preciated, overworked, underpaid, and to live. And as it would happen I fell connections and not my job history or stuck for the next 30 years with debt new BA degree. Though I was earning in love and I got married, and then exthat we can’t seem to justify anymore. pretty good wages for myself loan pay- penses doubled with both of us fresh The sad part is, I still want that out of our master’s degrees and the ments were hard to swing along with ideal American Dream. I want that economy tanking. rent, credit card bills, and transportahouse that’s so big I don’t know what At this point I’m starting to take tion, though I never owned a car until I to do with all the space; I want the four stock of this supposed American was 28. Dream and where exactly I fit in. I was cars in the driveway (the practical car, A couple years later I got antsy. doing what I loved and not getting paid the fun car, my husband’s car, and I could, if I wanted, slowly climb the the one we’re fixing up on the weekfor it, getting underpaid to do a job I corporate ladder towards a job I could have done in high school, madly ends). Sometimes I find it so disgustnever imagined having and maybe ing to want all of this when I know so in love with my husband, badly in debt a comfortable salary, but that wasn’t many people just want a roof (any between both of us, traveling and me. I wanted to pursue my passion roof) over their heads and something having experiences that I knew many for theatre and perhaps get noticed. others were jealous of, no home base, to eat. Why does this dream get Additionally, I was keen to the buzz I Tebbe Remembered ingrained into so many of our brains? And why do we feel like if we’re not living up to it, we’ve failed somehow? Why is it that all my friends who have well paying, capitalist market jobs seem unhappy? All those friends with mortgages just want out, and so on. It seems that people forget that homelessness is just a few steps away from any of us at any moment, and that maybe this American dream we’re all chasing is like a helium balloon caught in a breeze – out of reach and impossible to chase after. Where in the American Dream does it say that you can have it all, but be sure to step on those below you to get it? Why is it that those with everything share so little and those who have nothing share it all? I want to know and I don’t know that I ever will. Through working at the Coalition my perspective on many things have been changed, and perhaps we as a nation need to change our American Dream to be less about greed and more about the intended life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If you’re reading this, try to be thankful today for something you have, and try to help someone else who may need a little extra. It can only make us a stronger nation as opposed to becoming divided by the dollar in pursuit of the impossible pipe dream. catiedargue@cincihomeless.org (513) 421-7803 Ex. 11 Continued from page 1 place that prioritizes learning in a special way. She was hired to coordinate tutoring and work with students/workers on GED and Adult Basic Education skills. Tebbe went way beyond her job description. She redesigned a menu, brought in musicians to fundraise, set up art exhibits, built up the volunteer worker base and headed up an empowering project that put students in charge of office space design. Tebbe talked about the whys of her job about a month before her death. “Why do I do this? I do this because I love so much what I do. And I learn so much from the people that I work with. It’s the greatest mission I’ve ever been involved with. And it has brought the best out in me.” The 55-year-old’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Venice planned to put her on the staff roster this fall when her time with AmeriCorps ended, Saper- stein said. She excelled in development, and Venice was going to have Tebbe head up that department “She loved this job,” said longtime friend, Mark Bennison. The two met in 1981 at Moles Records, the city’s first used record shop. True to Tebbe’s curious nature, she approached Mark and asked, “Who are you? I’ve seen you around.” The two spent time talking, but it was Christmas time that Bennison remembers. They reserved that time for a movie, but not just any film. It has to be something with a message, because that’s just the kind of person Tebbe was. She liked themes with causes and fought for what she believed in. Dennison will remember her as a “nefarious chameleon,” a multi-faceted person who adapted well to any situation. Another friend, Josie Pickens, remembers Tebbe as passionate and spunky. Tears rimmed Pickens eyes as she talked about what AmeriCorps meeting days are like now that Tebbe’s gone. “This past Wednesday was strange,” Pickens said quietly during a recent interview inside Venice. “It was the last time I didn’t come here to pick her up.” Pickens met Tebbe when they both joined the domestic Peace Corp, AmeriCorps. Although Tebbe drove, they ride shared to bi-weekly meetings for economic and social reasons. It was Pickens who did the driving after picking Tebbe up at her workplace. “She loved this job,” Pickens said. She even marked off personal space in the back room offices of the restaurant. Her chair with the words, “Tebbe’s chair” remains in her space that’s front and center below the big stacks of GED training materials. Trainee Daniel McEntee, 18, remembers what a help Tebbe was to him when he began training for GED in April. “She believed in me,” he said, adding she was a good influence. “She would help anyone who wanted the help.” McEntee hope for the best for Tebbe’s family though their grief. He’ll take his GED and finish the goal---the office space redesign--- he and Tebbe planned. “I think about her every time I look at that desk.” THE DETAILS: Contact Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Adult Education Fund, 701 Columbia Avenue for information about Tebbe’s memorial fund. �6 Local ST R EET VIBES J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Little Hands:Big Hands Building Bridges Through Music SUSAN LAKES Streetvibes Staff Writer L ittle hands lugged violin cases. Big hands clutched backpacks and bags. Then, when the little hands glided smoothly over the strings and bows, music rang out, and the big hands let go of the cargo and life possessions long enough to clap. Some of those adults with the big hands even cheered “Bravo” and “Alright” as the small bodies with the little hands bowed and smiled. This was the scene at the DropInn Center, the area’s largest homeless shelter, on a recent Friday afternoon. Suzuki violin students from the city’s School of Performing Arts took center stage for an afternoon concert and reception. Dave Mason, faculty member for the school and director of the children’s’ orchestra, set a neighborly tone for the interaction between the big -handed shelter residents and the smaller –handed student musicians. “We’re here from the school next door,” he said. The Performing Arts Center moved into a new building a block away from the homeless shelter in 2010, creating some concern and tension. That tension about the school’s proximity to the shelter was the reason why a small informal committee formed. It is called SCPA/OTR and its goal is to build bridges, change attitudes and build a solid relationship be- tween the School for Performing Arts and the Over –TheRhine community as a whole. Understanding and education, not controversy, was what was on the mind of one of the young musician’s dads. Ricco Johnson said his daughter had some questions about the scheduled concert at the Drop Inn Center. Johnson, partner in the OverRhine-Business MIXX, planned to talk with his daughter, Mhilton after the visit and answer any of her Mhilton Johnson tunes her violin. Photo: Susan Lakes questions. “This is good Center residents were glad he for the community and the children,” picked The Drop Inn Center, too. ResiJohnson said about the concert. “A lot dent Jacklyn Jones heard the violin of people shy away [from homeless music, and it stirred some memories shelters], but it [homelessness] could from way back. “It reminds me of stuff happen to any of us.” I did in school,” she said. “It’s a nice Mason certainly didn’t shy away concert and the kids did a good job. It when he picked the concert venue. “I was entertaining.” told the kids they’d like playing here,” Once the music ended, the little he said, complimenting the lively hands clutched ice cream cones. So acoustics inside the shelter. did the big hands. susanlakes@cincihomeless.org (513) 421-7803 Ex. 12 THE DETAILS: For more information about the SCPA/OTR committee, contact Jeni Jenkins at (513) 421-7803 Ex.14 Lesson Learned: Students in Philanthropy Courses Graduate into Community Leaders JESSE CALL Streetvibes Intern Writer A local university has discovered that college students that participated in a student philanthropy project as part of an academic class are more likely to be engaged with non-profit charitable organizations after graduation. A recent research project by a faculty member has revealed that alumni who participated in the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project at Northern Kentucky University, a program designed to allow rates in volunteering, making financial contributions, and serving on an organization’s board of directors. Julie Olberding, an assistant professor teaching primarily graduate-level nonprofit management courses, polled alumni participants and compared her results to federal figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Olberding has taught Mayerson classes before. 71 percent of Mayerson alumni volunteer with nonprofit organizations, compared to only 28 percent nationally, according to the research study. Olberding also discov- Daryl Harris introduces members of his class, The Arts of Social Change, to present a Mayerson philanthropy award to the community agency of their choice. Photo: NKU students to use what they learn in courses to benefit community agencies, became involved in nonprofit organizations at much higher rates than the general U.S. population. These graduates exceeded national ered that three times as many Mayerson alumni served on the board of nonprofit organizations compared to the general population. “The evidence that we have collected shows that student philanthropy does have an impact on students in the long-term,” Olberding said. She said that she was glad to see “to what degree [student philanthropy] is changing students lives to be better doers and better citizens in the region of Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.” Until now, there had been no research designed to measure if students continued to be engaged in the community after graduating. However, research and evaluations had indicated that students wanted to get more involved as a result of the courses. Nonetheless, Olberding remained cautious in her research findings. She said that her research shows that alumni get more involved, but does not necessarily prove that the Mayerson student philanthropy project was the main cause or catalyst. “Further study is needed,” she said. “One way to look at this further would be to look at them in a control group. We just looked at alumni who participated in the Mayerson project.” She said other factors that are part of the NKU education could be leading graduates to serve. However, she said she does not believe that the information is skewed by the kinds of students who would be willing to participate in a class which includes a philanthropy project. The Mayerson project incorporates a related philanthropy project into existing classes across courses in almost all of NKU’s academic departments. Olberding says many students do not even realize a philanthropy project is part of the class when they enroll in it. Mark Neikirk, the director of the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement at NKU, which oversees the Mayerson project, was more optimistic about what the research indicates. He said the research “proves what I thought would be so... [and] what you would expect to be so.” He said Mayerson classes have already been show to increase engage- ment in the classroom when students feel what they learn is being used to make a difference. To him, it makes sense that that sentiment would linger beyond graduation. The movement to include community outreach as part of the academic process has been on the rise at colleges and universities in recent years, but not without a few naysayers that doubt its usefulness or feel it pressures students to care about certain causes and not others. But Neikirk said national research, and not just this recent NKU study, have demonstrated that service-learning works and benefits students, colleges and communities. Olberding said she has never felt any discouragement among NKU faculty for including service-learning in the curriculum. In fact, she feels it is expected under the university’s mission. “I just honestly haven’t heard criticism. That indicates [service-learning classes] are to be expected and people see it a positive light at NKU,” she said. Neikirk agreed. 216 organizations have received funding from the Mayerson Project, including the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, the publisher of Streetvibes. Program organizers say total funding has exceeded $500,000 to organizations helping a wide range of charities including human services, animal and environmental protection, advocacy organizations, art groups and faith-based programs. The program is funded through the Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation after a partnership was solicited by NKU’s president, James Votruba, and is in its 11th year. Northern Kentucky University is a public university located about seven minutes south of downtown Cincinnati in Highland Heights, KY media@cincihomeless.org (513) 421-7803 Ex.12 �ST R EE T V IB E S J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Meetup Homeless in Providence Meet Up There’s some bad people hang out around there.” Without bothering to correct the stereotype, I headed down JIM LUKEN Broad Street to find a nine-story building (the former YMCA) standing alone Contributing Writer on a street corner near the expressway. rovidence. The word is often Lots of people, mostly white and associated with the word “DiLatino were milling outside the buildvine,” as in Divine providence, ing. I locked my bike and entered the the beneficent gifts of God, gifts that cramped lobby, where 10 or 12 others come—if only occasionally to all huwere sitting or standing about. At the mans. “Providence” also implies luck, counter, I ask to speak to someone of the good variety. who might explain the local homeless I am unashamedly a poor guy who situation. They handed me a phone. lives in OTR and volunteers to write The person at the other end was for my favorite paper, Streetvibes. By Karen Santilli, the Vice President of the providence of my younger daughMarketing and Development at Crosster Sarah’s generosity, I found myself roads. She asks if I could come back recently flying to Providence, Rhode at another time. I tell her I am on a Island (RI) to meet up with my older bike, and that that might be difficult. So son, David, a native Cincinnatian like she agrees to talk to me in a conferme, who has been living along the ence room on the second floor. “Give Narragansett Bay near the city with his me ten minutes,” she says. And I sit girlfriend Katie. For five months of the down with a copy of Street Sights, the year they live on a small 40 year-old local homeless newspaper. The 20sailboat they named “Lady Poverty,” page paper is beautifully laid out, with for reasons that are too complicated to lots of poems and pieces by homeless explain. writers. Before I left on the trip, I had Santilli comes down and escorts decided to try to write an article for me to a conference room upstairs, Streetvibes on the homeless situaand—in about a half-hour’s time— she tion in the smallest state of the union, walks me through the facts and figures if possible. There were problems. I related to homelessness in Rhode had no car. I would have only a few Island, and to Crossroads itself, which days to do the research; and I knew is the primary provider of life services almost nothing about getting around in to homeless individuals and families— this large metropolitan area. Although using the continuum-of-care model--for located amidst a vacation-land by the the entire state. ocean, Providence is a working class “Crossroads has its roots in a town (about the size of Cincinnati), Traveler’s Aid organization that dates with large ethnic minorities of Portuback to 1894,” Santilli said. “Eight guese and Puerto Ricans. years ago we moved in here, which My son fixed up an old bike for was the former YMCA building. It was me, handed me a map, and pointed in dreadful shape.” me toward downtown, where I was They remodeled the entire build(relatively) certain to find the homeless ing which now provides 200 small population. I was soon to learn that in apartments, and 14 efficiencies, each this city, finding the homeless might be of which house individuals who were more difficult than I had expected. formerly homeless. The building also In the middle of town, I mentioned provides emergency shelter for as my Cincinnati roots to two motorcycle many as 100 individuals each night. policemen, standing by their bikes I was amazed to learn that the emernear the bus station. They joked gency shelter’s doors stay open all day about Cincinnati’s motorcycle cops, and all night, 365 days a year. There is whom—they had learned—didn’t ride no curfew. in the wintertime. In a heavy Boston “We provide storage lockers, so accent, one of them called our cops individuals can leave their belongings a name I can’t repeat here. They had in order to look for work, as well as no idea where the Coalition for the shower and laundry facilities,” Santilli Homeless might be, and had never said. heard of Street Sights, the RI homeCrossroads provides permanent less newspaper. But they sent me to a supportive housing for 57 families. nearby non-profit office where I got my And 15 more families are housed on bearings. an emergency basis. Santilli says that Several inquiries more and I was Crossroads works with many other on my way to Crossroads Rhode groups and agencies, but they are Island, the largest homeless services somewhat unique in that they are a agency in the state. I rode past the comprehensive model with all servicDunkin’ Donuts Civic Center only to es, including an outreach van, generfind myself lost again. I asked a slightly ated from the massive old “Y” building. threadbare gentleman close to my age She says that “a little” of their funding for additional directions and he sent comes from the state and city. They reme left from the crossroads where we ceive considerable corporate support, stood. Then came a warning. “I don’t and $2 million in private donations think you want to go over there, buddy. annually. When We serve as a creative outlet for women in need to I suguncover their talents and gested that build relationships while folks from making and selling jewelry, Cincinquilts, and other handcrafted nati, might items. We provide a want to welcoming environment and visit Rhode continuous support-our women do the rest. They are Island, and our voice. They are our see how mission. They are our Sarah Crossroads Center. Artists receive 50 % functions, from the sale of their items, Santilli while the rest goes towards was quick materials and other support. to agree. “Part of our 1618 Vine Street vision is to Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 HELPING WOMEN HELP THEMSELVES become a national For more information visit www.sfoutreach.org model in P Sarah Center the way we provide continuum of care at many levels.” After my interview, I went back downstairs to the tiny lobby outside the main desk at Crossroads. I needed to find a homeless person to share his or her story. For my “Meetup” columns at Streetvibes, I often sit down for lunch at Our Daily Bread, open up a conversation and then ask the person if he or she would like to be in the paper. So I sat down on the bench in the lobby, said hello to several people, but was quickly turned down by both. I went outside and saw a man who had greeted me earlier when asking me about my old bike. The guy had long, curly gray hair streaming out from under a baseball cap. “Are you homeless?” I asked. “I was until I moved in here.” “Are you willing to talk about it for the homeless newspaper in Cincinnati?” “Okay. Why not?” “Is there someplace where we can sit down for a few minutes?” He looked around. Apparently Crossroads did not want people loitering, so there were no benches anywhere. “We can go up to my apartment.” “Great!” I said, happy to get a chance to see the conditions there close up. I handed my driver’s license to the person at the front desk and we walked to the third floor apartment of 60 year-old Hector Gonzales. It was small, modern and very neat. We sat down at the kitchen table. Hector ate some chips and salsa as he answered my question in a somewhat agitated manner, flailing his arms about and chopping the edge of his hand into the table. Before coming to Crossroads, he had been homeless for a year and a half, following four or five other bouts with homelessness. At some point in the past he had been a pipe-fitter for ten years at the naval yard in Connecticut. I asked him what was the worst thing about being homeless. This may have been the wrong question to ask in this instance. “The worst thing is dealing with assholes,” he said, chopping the table hard. “Black, white, Spanish, Chinese. You meet all kinds of assholes. Pedophiles, rapists, macho-types. You meet all kinds. You gotta have twenty eyes. “Don’t get me wrong,” he yelled, “I’d call Wall Street guys ‘assholes’ too.” I asked him what the best thing in his life was. “The best thing is that I found Christ. Any religion that condemns homosexuality.” Hector was gesturing wildly at this point. “That’s a mortal sin. I don’t care what you say. I don’t believe in being racist, prejudiced against rich and poor. That’s just a way to escape, Everybody shits, you know. We get old. Things like that. Money’s shit. But money’s good. Don’t get me wrong, It don’t mean shit to me.” My interviewee was certainly not at a loss for words. I asked if he had any plans. “I’m too old to have plans. I just let God let me live as long as he wants. I’m not going to be a pussy for anything, anyone. I don’t let money rule my life.” The phone in his apartment rings, and I can hear the woman at the desk tell Hector he has guests. I can tell he wants the interview brought to a quick close. “Any thoughts to pass on to our readers?” I ask “Yeah. If something bad happens to you, turn it into something positive. Let’s go!” I follow him downstairs, where 7 two attractive younger women are waiting. He lets me out of the door and welcomes the two women in. “No wonder he wanted to end our little chat,” I think. I am anxious to learn about the local homeless newspaper. I learn that the paper, like Streetvibes, comes out of the Homeless Coalition office, an advocacy group, located—I’m told—way across town. No one is sure exactly where. I ask for a phone number, but no one can find one. Not even in the city’s directory. I am at a loss as to what to do. “Wait a minute,” someone says. “Here’s Stan. He works for the paper. You can talk to him.” Stan is Stan Kapelewski, a large man with a gray pony tail, also 60. He is on crutches, and has come to Crossroads to check the special mailbox for Street Sights, the local homeless newspaper. He tells me that he is the creative writing editor for the paper, and that they have a number of these boxes located around town for folks to submit their writing or comments. I comment that this is a great idea. Stan then comments that it is pure luck that I ran into him, in that there is no one from the paper at the Coalition office, except when they are laying out the newspaper, which is a monthly. He says that we can sit down at an office in the business district where homeless people gather in the mornings for coffee and conversation. I follow Stan, myself with my bike, and Stan cruising on his crutches to a nice office about ten long blocks from Crossroads. He explains that Street Sights is, according to research, the only homeless newspaper in the world that is provided free to readers, and is produced entirely by volunteers. I had noticed an absence of vendors in the city. Now I knew why. “It creates a bit of a problem. We like the idea of it being a free, but it would be good for the homeless to make a few bucks. We haven’t figured out a resolution,” Stan explains. We sit down at the George Hunt Center. A sign explains that folks can come and sit there in the morning for a maximum of fort-five minutes. Stan lays out his story in brief. He is a graduate of Syracuse University (Psychology/Philosophy) who, through a series of circumstances, found himself homeless from 2005 to 2009. “I moved from shelter to shelter,” then to transitional housing. Now I have my own apartment with another formerly homeless guy.” His life improved greatly, he says, after (public aid) finally agreed to pay for a hip replacement. Mostly he wants to talk about the newspaper. “It’s been around for four years, and I am a founding member. It’s work of the heart. We don’t even have a real office. In a sense, the paper itself is homeless,” Stan beams. “It is truly a work of the heart.” Kapelewski’s heart is in the creative pages. “What I love most about the paper is giving people their voice, and an opportunity to express themselves.” He says he works 40-60 hours a week. “I’ll work 20 more hours if I have to. We are not going to let this paper go down.” We wrap up the interview, and I ask Stan if there is a decent place to get a cheap lunch in the area. “Do you like Chinese?” he says. “The place next door is good. I’ll buy.” I try to convince him to let me buy, but he insists. I can’t quite believe a homeless guy is paying for my lunch. At the end of our meal, I crack open my fortune cookie. It reads: “Luck helps those who help themselves.” “Indeed,” I think. �8 Photo Essay ST R EET VIBES J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Baby It's Hot Outside!! SUSAN LAKES Streetvibes Staff Writer Break out the sun dresses, water bottles, fans and icy drinks. Summer arrived a bit early to the Tri-State. The National Weather Service predicts the heat and humidity is here, at least for the immediate future. You might see a few storms sprinkled in with the sun. Heat? It's not bothering some. We found a few of them around town. Lakecia Robinson, 5, blows some bubbles to cool off in Avondale. Gabryal English, 7, sips on a cold drinK to stay cool in Avondale. �ST R EE T V IB E S Photo Essay 9 J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Zaryah Thompson poses wearing the cool sundress she picked out to wear on a day the temperature exceeeded the 90 degree mark. Dan Bryson checks the castor beans after one of the recent sweltering hot days. Jay and Carey Bother pick part sun and part shade to stay cool in downtown Cincinnati. Five year old twin brothers Javeayr and LaMar Spikes do some play dueling with Star Wars lightsabers to keep cool in Avondale. �10 International News ST R EET VIBES J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Seeking Refuge Continued from page 1 Isaac Nwankwere uses the identity card from Augustin in his hat to have a different look from other street paper vendors.Photo: Mario Lang / Augustin where they came from. Marian Oshoshor does not like to talk about the reasons that took her to Austria. The Nigerian street paper vendor is cheerful and lively; she prefers to talk about her customers and how much her German has improved since she arrived - she even offers to sing because “if you have a heavy heart, music is the best healer”. But Marian, who still remembers how thin she was when she arrived in 2004, had serious reasons to fear staying in Nigeria. She grew up in a Yoruba family (a West African ethnic group) on the Niger delta, who lived from agriculture and fishing. When the time came, Marian knew she would be subjected to female genital mutilation, since no woman in the village was spared from this traditional practice. She was afraid because she knew that many girls died during the procedure. She asked a journalist to help her escape - she couldn’t guess at the time that she would one day end up working in the newspaper industry herself. Marian is happy she escaped, but she still remembers bitterly the reaction of the Austrian authorities when she arrived: “The Austrian asylum authorities did not believe me. They thought I was lying”. Tapiwa Chemhere has a different story, one of violence and poverty, but a common thread remains: fear. He escaped with Tapiwa Chemhere escaped from the violence and political repression in Zimbabwe. Photo: Ben Davies his family from Zimbabwe in 2005. little knowledge of the world, thought he was going “I lived in the city, but it was very violent. You were somewhere else. “They told me that I was on my forced to support the main party, and if you didn’t way to Austria. Only I didn’t know the difference they would bomb your house or kill you”. Tapiwa’s between Austria and Australia. I thought I was mother decided it was no heading for Australia.” longer safe for them to stay Even though the country was a bit different from in Zimbabwe and escaped what he expected - no sunny beaches or rugby fans with her four children to - Isaac was happy to be in Europe. But adapting Australia. Their story is far to the Austrian way of life was a challenge during from being exceptional: the the first period has a street paper vendor. “When economic meltdown and I started selling the Augustin [street paper] I was repressive political regime a black man in a country of white people and the of Robert Mugabe have norms of conduct, everything was different from led to a flood of refugees. what I had seen before in Africa. I approached my An estimated 3.4 million customers the way I was used to in Nigeria. I put Zimbabweans, a quarter on a lot of pressure. After two or three complaints of the population, had fled found their way to the Augustin office I changed my abroad by mid 2007. behaviour. Since then there have, luckily, been no complaints”. Today Isaac has a different problem: he is still single. “I just can’t believe that I’ve been in Vienna for so long and still don’t have a girlfriend. Every woman in Austria is taken!” he complains. He is Coming to a new country thankful, though, for the affection he gets from is might save people from customers: “I want to thank my customers. If I knew a potentially dangerous all their names I would name them one by one. The situation but it is not, by any Austrians are very, very nice people, very kind. A big means, a magical solution for thank you to Augustin too!” all problems. Many people Marian, who works for the same street paper, struggled before and even shares the feeling. The Nigerian refers to her regular during their work as a street customers as “family”. And she has her reasons paper vendor. Being a black for it. “One man brings me tea almost every day, woman in Austria, Marian because I have to protect myself against catching was told she had only one a cold, he says”. Marian has almost ten pairs of option to make money: gloves at home because people assume that “Every person I asked how African women are more vulnerable to the cold. One I could survive here said customer, who learned from Marian’s identity card ‘you have two options that she had the same birthday as him, invited her to prostitution in Prater, or his birthday party. And a teacher gave her what she prostitution at the West considers her “biggest gift”: she paid for German station’. But selling my body lessons, so that Marian could improve her language was not an option for me”. skills. Isaac Nwankwere’s On the other side of the globe, in Australia, problems started right Tapiwa got in touch with street paper The Big Issue upon arrival in Austria. He Australia, and soon started selling the magazine. escaped from Nigeria, trying He says the customers play an important role in to flee from a violent uncle. supporting street paper vendors in difficult times. The local church found the “I work for my customers. Some say ‘I’ll see on possible, although quite Thursday’ so I make sure I’m there. I would like to irregular, way to take him thank my customers for helping me out. Sometimes, out of the country: they if you chat with someone selling the street paper, it smuggled him onto to a ship. makes our day. It makes us feel very encouraged.” Marian Oshoshor sees some of her customers as family. Photo: Mario Lang / Augustin Isaac, who had at that point A family of customers �ST R EE T V IB E S Day by Day Calendar 11 J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Day by Day is an annual calendar which includes photographs and writing by homeless and formerly homeless individuals in Cincinnati and is distributed by Streetvibes distributors. Provide creative and economic opportunities for people experiencing poverty. The Day by Day pilot project began in 2010 as an effort to provide individuals who are financially poor with the opportunity to portray Cincinnati through their own eyes and provide an additional economic opportunity for all Streetvibes distributors. • Facilitate an open ended self expressive process for formerly and currently homeless individuals • Enrich lives by providing art education and building self-confidence • Build relationships throughout the community between diverse groups of people • Through the The Mayerson Service-Learning Program, connect program participants with students from diverse local high schools • Provide individuals who are financially poor with an economic opportunity • Raise awareness about homelessness and poverty • Create a full color 12 month calendar Program Participants 2010. Aimie Willhoite Photography Empower people to help themselves: During the pilot program 20 distributors sold 1000 calendars throughout the community, resulting in direct earnings of $2,500. This year we are determined to expand the program by increasing the print run of calendars to 2500, giving our Streetvibes Distributors the opportunity to earn up to $7,500. Show Cincinnati you care: Your sponsorship contributes to the development of a healthy community. By sponsoring Day by Day you connect yourself or your organization to a project that provides income to impoverished individuals within our own community. Enrich lives: Your sponsorship helps individuals who may not have the resources to be involved with the local arts community by providing them with a means of self-expression which, in turn, increases self-confidence and self-sufficiency. Promote understanding and build community: The 2012 calendar and exhibition will receive positive media attention and will create awareness of people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Receive recognition for aligning your organization or business with a cause: Your sponsorship will provide a great means of promoting your company’s image, prestige and credibility. Help us reach our goal of expanding the Day by Day calendar project. Your sponsorship will help offset the cost of printing 2500 calendars and showcase the creative work of our participants. All contributions to Day by Day are tax-deductible. As a participating sponsor your name or organization logo will be published on on each calendar, on all marketing materials (including banners, postcards, posters, PSA’s, website), and will be displayed at the release party and during the exhibition of work from the calendar at Prairie Gallery. All sponsors will also receive complimentary copies of the calendar and special mention at the October release party. Level Amount Platinum $1000 Gold $500 Silver $100 Recognition Calendar Sponsor: includes recognition on every month of the calendar Seasonal Sponsor: includes recognition on a season of the calendar Monthly Sponsorship: includes recognition on a month of the calendar Indicate season or month preference: (e.g. Autumn, July) Seasons and months will be designated in the order sponsorships are received. 1stChoice____________________ 2ndChoice___________________ Name:_____________________________________ Title:_________________________ Organization:_____________________________________________________________ Phone:_____________________ Email:________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________________ City:____________________________________________Zip:_____________________ Signature:________________________________________Date:___________________ Make checks payable to: Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Day by Day Calendar Project 117 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45223 For more information, contact Jeni Jenkins (513) 421-7803 Ex. 14 or David Rosenthal at (513) 582-9833 Email logo to jenijenkins@cincihomeless.org THANK YOU FOR YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT! �Games 12 Crossword: Put your advertisment here Sodoku: 1 3 2 5 9 7 8 9 5 1 7 2 1 3 3 7 #10509 Across 1. Singers 4. Public affairs channel 7. Majestic 10. In a menacing manner 11. Ethnic defense body 12. Conforms to 16. Article 17. Duplicate 20. Take flight 21. Annulus 22. Bring ashore 23. Snakelike fish 24. Not so much 27. Passed with flying colors 29. Gibbet 30. Confederate general 32. Show failing mental faculties 33. Fencing position 35. Obnoxious 36. Former South American civilization 37. Foul 38. Support for injury Down 2. Persia 3. Turn 4. Star sign 5. Inadvertent mistake 6. Not supple 8. Expression of agreement 9. False 13. Worse 14. Flirt 15. Detect 17. Stride 18. I will comply 19. Small picture in a larger one 24. Lieutenant Colonel (2,3) 25. Tastelessly showy 26. Blackballs 28. Submit 31. Go out 33. Fraud 34. Enclosure www.bmi.name ST R EET VIBES J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Are you overweight? www.sudoku.name/ads/ 8 6 6 1 7 4 3 2 6 4 7 9 5 1 7 5 9 8 5 6 www.sudoku.name �Creative Corner ST R EE T V IB E S 13 J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Yesterday Opening my eyes WILLA DENISE JONES SCOTT SWITZER Contributing Writer and Streetvibes Distributor Contributing Writer Yesterday is long gone and so very far behind Opening my eyes....has opened my heart. How? you may ask..... let me show you how to start. First by being able to see, all that has been right in front of you and of me..... Yesterday is something only in our minds does it shine Yesterday is when the elders had troubles far away Yesterday I accept is the past so I live only for today Someone said tomorrow is not promise and yesterday has past Someone said right now is what’s going on so tell me how long can it last I believe that a mixture of the past and the present in the world of today Is all we need to endure for the future belongs to only God I say So why not live one day at a time and each moment experience that treasure I believe our lives would be much easier, happier, and full of God’s love and pleasure! There he is once again ........ As you walk down the street, you are afraid to acknowledge or even let your eyes meet... Your mind misinformed knowing not what to say, as you try and look away..... you think to yourself, I see this every day! Suddenly...... You hear children laugh and giggle... down the street they go, as they dance and wiggle.. Their mom and dad calling for them, and they know it is time.... For yet again they all must stand in the line.. Your perception misleads, as you assume that they are safe.... Cause what you do not know, Is they have no food for their plate. Cleo’s Joke Corner CLEO WOMBLES Streetvibes Distributor Another night approaches, they have no place to go.... Because your eyes were not open, and today’s news failed to show... The plight of the homeless, is bigger than you know.... By accepting the stereotype, your mind tries to believe.... The misconception of who, is truly in need... Not just the visualization of a bum in a park but the realization of a family who has no place to lay their heads..... After dark. Q:Do you know what one peanut said to the other? A: He said that he was “ASALTED!” Q:Do you know what the hotdog said when he crossed the finish line in first place? A: He said he was a “WEINER!” ANTHONY WILLIAMS Streetvibes Distributor �Recipe 14 ST R EET VIBES J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 UR... ONG! O M Y E SE NIGHT L FEED M E ALL JENKINS M D E I FE BY JEN The title of this column is taken from the 1986 film “Little Shop of Horrors,” where a plant keeper must meet the demands of a ravenous plant that feeds on humans. Instead of plants that feed on people, this column is for people who feed on plants!! SAVORY BRUSCHETTA-ESQUE PIZZA G A LITTLE ITA BRIN LY H Funny thing about bruschetta, it’s not something that you really think about making for dinner. No, usually this tasty little Italian appetizer is served as finger food at parties and gatherings. But the great thing about it is that because it so closely resembles pizza it can serve you well as a main dish. For this recipe I actually went a different direction then I had originally intended because the Kroger I went shopping at didn’t have fresh basil or ripe tomatoes so I improvised. To my surprise, it turned out delish. If you are on a tight budget but craving something satisfying yet easy, you can try this as a main dish. Serving size, 4-5 bellies OM E ! Ingredients: Cost at Kroger: 1 can Italian style diced tomatoes, drained .77 1 loaf French bread, sliced down the middle 1.99 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil .60 2 tablespoons butter, softened .25 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced .20 LOREM Aliquam blandit Praesent molestie lorem Etiam ac libero 8 oz. Kroger brand shredded Italian cheese 1.50 IPSUM Anteseasoning magna vehicula Sed turpis 1 tablespoon Italian Approximate Cost: $5.31 •Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees •Lay bread face up on a baking sheet. •Combine olive oil, butter and garlic in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Brush garlic mixture on bread. •Spread the diced tomatoes evenly on bread. •Sprinkle bread with the cheese •Top with italian seasoning •Bake in oven uncovered for 15-20 minutes cheese is melted or until hot and bubbly •Voila, FEED! �Resources ST R EE T V IB E S 15 J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Shelter: Women and Children St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Central Access Point 381-SAFE Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House 557-2873 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 762-5660 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John 558-8888 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County 458-6670 PATH Outreach 977-4489 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 Treatment: Men Shelter: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Prospect House 921-1613 Other Resources 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Starting Over 961-2256 Anthony House (Youth) Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 First Step Home 961-4663 Goodwill industries 771-4800 Healing Connections 751-0600 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Treatment: Both 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 471-1100 221-3350 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 Housing: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services 751-0643 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 621-5514 Treatment: Women 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 961-4080 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Mt. Airy Shelter 661-4620 Shelter: Both Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 241-2965 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Hamilton County ADAS Board 946-4888 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 641-4300 Advocacy Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 St. Raephaels 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 859-491-8303 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 Faces Without Places 363-3300 Stop AIDS 421-2437 ECHO/Hosea House 859-261-5857 Fairhaven Resuce Mission 859-491-1027 Homeward Bound Youth 859-581-1111 Mathews House 859-261-8009 Homeless & Housing Coalition 859-727-0926 Parish Kitchen 859-581-7745 Pike St. Clinic 859-291-9321 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 Welcome House of NKY 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Health Center for Respite Care Hamilton/Middletown 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 �Column 16 ST R EET VIBES J u n e 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 11 Capturing the Moment so It Will Last for Ever Melvin Grier uses his camera to document both news events and daily street life. M elvin Grier likes to quote African American civil rights writer James Baldwin who, reflecting on Richard Avedon’s photography, said: “For nothing is fixed forever and ever… Generations do not cease to be born and we’re responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have.” This is the role Grier chose for himself. For over 30 years and as a photojournalist he has witnessed and recorded his time’s events, paying special attention to his native city’s street life and to the life of his fellow African American Cincinnatians. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Grier graduated from Martin DePorres, an all black boy’s high school in the West End. Later, he joined the Air Force, trained as a medic and based in England he worked in an obstetrical hospital at RAF Mildenhall. Saad Ghosn Contributing Writer There and during his off-duty time, he picked up photography and learned basic skills and technique at the photo hobby shop on the base. With a camera in hand and a stainless steel developing tank to reveal his images he experienced the power of pictures, discovering at the same time the potent social works of Cartier-Bresson, Gordon Parks Pokemon, color photograph Photo: Melvin Grier. and W. Eugene Smith. When discharged from the military and back in Cincinnati, Grier decided to work as a photographer. He joined briefly a commercial studio, worked for eight years for a printing company and finally landed at the Cincinnati Post as a full time photojournalist. “Working for the Post was a great experience,” he says. “I would Melvin Grier stands in front of his photograph Checkers Players. Photo: Bill Howes. be given says. “The agenda, as we know it, is to uproot the different assignments, some more fulfilling poor. It was important to be a voice for them.” than others, but most importantly the opporHomeless individuals and panhandlers also tunity every day to be out on the streets and often found their way in his photographs. Grier explore things on my own.” considers them part of what makes the city, and Grier likes to call himself a street photheir begging to earn a living similar to a job. His tographer. Driving the city on many of his photograph Pokemon represents a homeless man assignments, he would encounter and capof the same name, sitting under the snow, holding ture through his lens the ordinary and the a blessing sign and asking passer-bys for charity. less mundane, documenting regular black “Pokemon would sit there every single day, a people’s lives and activities as well as the constant feature of the city,” says Grier. “He surely societal ills that affected them. In the face of viowas not lazy; something else must have been golence and increased homicides among black youth, ing on in him. But if anything he added daily comhe photographed, for instance, the many street passion and humanity to the busy urban life.” memorials spontaneously erected for gun victims in Thanks to his job at the Post, Grier was also various neighborhoods. His series Unfinished Lives able to travel the world. He visited, among other was published in Cincinnati Magazine; it meant to countries, El Salvador, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, make readers reflect and become involved in the Vietnam, Cuba, Haiti… and at each of his abroad problem solving process. Grier assignments captured the human, social and poalso took pictures at Cease Fire litical issues of the place, amazed by the cultural Cincinnati vigils held at the sites of diversity, connecting with the local people. the shootings, sharing them with “There are obvious differences between culthe deceased’s family and friends tures,” he says. “If we ignore them and do not and printing them at some point in reach out to understand them, we become prejuthe Post, raising awareness about diced and develop a racist attitude.” the issue. His statement relates well to his own experiSensitive to the displacement ence having encountered wide spread racial disof poor people caused by the recrimination, intolerance and inequity growing up habbing of urban neighborhoods as a black child in the 50’s, training as a medic in and having seen many of his childMontgomery, Alabama, and witnessing the racial hood places, including the building violence of the 60’s. where he grew up, demolished in Even though his personal and private work order to “serve progress”, he took dealt primarily with African American subjects, the many pictures of the changing majority of Grier’s assignments as a photojournalstatus of Over The Rhine and the ist related to white people and resulted in photos resulting effects on its inhabitants. exclusively depicting them. He wanted thus to state history “I often would be the only black person presand resist, even if only symbolient and the one taking the pictures,” he says. He cally, the ongoing gentrification of recently showed in an exhibit titled White People the area. sixty of these pictures taken at different times. “Progress comes and poor Seen with the eyes of a minority individual, they people move on,” he says. “Parts again remind of diversity and of the need to reach of Over the Rhine are looking very out and learn about others. up-scale these days, unfortunately “Everything to me is about photography,” says at the expense of the disadvanGrier. “I used it for my job, but also to document taged, mostly African Americans, things I care about, the human condition in my who, in the process, lose part of city, its street life, the problems facing the African their past.” American community, jazz, store front churches… For the same reasons Grier It served also as my voice when I needed to make documented the deteriorating a statement, for instance when opposing the zoo’s condition of Washington Park. expansion at the expense of its residential neighInitially a welcoming green space borhood…” for the neighborhood, the park had Now retired, Grier continues his love affair become in the last few years a with the camera. He still wants his photographs neglected, littered and dangerous to touch emotionally and connect with the viewer, place to frequent. also capture the present moment and life as it “I was convinced this was degoes on. liberately allowed to happen,” he Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. Ghosn can be reached at saad.ghosn@uc.edu. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2011 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 June 10-23, 2011 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Tebbe Remembered Seeking Refuge in a Street Paper Pg 2: “Who Ya Gonna Call?!” Pg 3: Distributor Program Pg 4: The Meaning Pg 5: The Failing American Dream Pg 6: Little Hands: Big Hands Lesson Learned Pg 7: Meetup Pg 8: Photo Essay Pg 9: Photo Essay Continued Pg 10: Seeking Refuge Continued Pg 11: Day by Day Pg 12: Games Pg 13: Creative Corner Pg 14: Recipe Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: Capturing the Moment So It Will Last for Ever 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 June 10-23, 2011 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Catie Dargue Jeni Jenkins Susan Lakes Riccardo Taylor Della Woolens Ruby Goode Georgia Bohannon Stephen Gentry Willa Denise Jones Scott Switzer Saad Ghosn Jim Luken Lee Mccoy Inês Santinhos Gonçalves Cleo Wombles Melvin Grier Bill Howes Anthony Williams Mario Lang Paul Davis Aimie Willhoite Jesse Call Jason Dean Mark Mendoza Alisa Balestra Harrison Lott Corey Luthringer Brittany Fong Terique Scott Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimie Willhoite Alisa Balestra Anthony Williams Mario Lang Bill Howes Brittany Fong Catie Dargue Cleo Wombles Community Leaders Corey Luthringer Della Woolens Harrison Lott Inês Santinhos Gonçalves Jason Dean Jeni Jenkins Jesse Call Jim Luken Josh Spring Lee McCoy Mark Mendoza Melvin Grier Music Paul Davis Philanthropy Photography Recipe Refuge Riccardo Taylor Ruby Goode Georgia Bohannon Saad Ghosn Scott Switzer Stephen Gentry Students Susan Lakes Tebbe Terique Scott Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/f38cb82a2a10a2f46b8844fc49376eb8.pdf e81eddc932e7469c71d8d4f104e1cb7f PDF Text Text J u n e 1 3 t h - J u n e 2 7 t h 2 0 1 9 | Vo l . 2 3 I s s u e 1 2 ( N o . 4 0 9 ) advo cating justice | building communit y Any opinions in this issue are of the authors and don't necessarily represent Streetvibes or The Homeless Coalition. Pride Issue THIS SPECIAL PRIDE MONTH ISSUE FEATURES LGBTQ WRITERS AND TOPICS This Issue is sponsored by Cecilia and Tom Kloecker Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.com Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 12 �2 COALITION N o v 13 2 - -NJune o v 19, 18 | |NNo. o . 393 June 27,2 02019 409 From The Editor: Ohio and the LGBTQ Community Gabriela Godinez Editor-in-chief There are many LGBTQ people in Ohio, and there are many Pride festivals held around the state to celebrate them. In Cincinnati, Second Sunday on Main featured Pride-centric decorations and the official Pride festival is set to be held June 22nd. All over Cincinnati you can see pride flags, many featured in bars and in restaurants. While this is great and wouldn’t have even been conceivable 50 years ago, that doesn’t mean we get to wipe our hands clean from the past, or ignore the fact that there are issues still to work on to this day. On June 8, 2019 members of the nationalist socialist movement showed up to a pride event in Detroit. They came with the intention to ignite fear and incite violence. There is footage of these Nazis ripping up Pride and Israeli flags while chanting and yelling obscenities. One of the issues that the internet found specifically with this footage was how the police were escorting them seemingly to protect them, the Nazis, rather than the more vulnerable folks who were being verbally harassed by this group. If you want to read more about the police and the LGBTQ community be sure to read Dr. Mark Mussman’s article featured on page 8. This is a very clear example of how much America still has to grow. According to the Federal Bureau of investigation 17.7% of hate crimes were from bias against sexual orientation and 1.7% were from gender identity bias as of 2015. In 2017 there were 1,338 individual victims of official hate crimes because of their sexual orientation. Although same-sex marriage has been legal in the United States since 2015 that doesn’t mean that the LGBTQ community is treated the same way as cisgendered heterosexuals in the United States. Only 15 states allow second parent adoption within same sex couples. Ohio is not one of those states. Statewide Ohio has no protections for discrimination against the LGBTQ community this means it is legal for employers to fire workers, landlords can deny housing, business owners can refuse goods and services, all on the basis of sexual orientation. Though federally there are marginal protections according to Ohio law hate crimes fall under bias against race color religion or national origin this leaves out gender identity and sexual orientation. There are no explicit state wide anti-discrimination laws to protect the LGBT community. Gay conversion therapy is still legal in Ohio, although six individual cities now ban this abuse. While having cities take a stand in favor of the LGBTQ community’s basic human rights, it is important that it be in our state legislation. All of this isn’t to say that we aren’t allowed to celebrate. We should be allowed a chance to take a moment and breathe. The LGBTQ community has come a long way in our society. No one can argue that it is worse today than it was 50 years ago, but that isn’t the point. We should strive to change more legislation, change more within our society, so that future generations can say they have it better than we did. Go out and celebrate pride month, it’s good for the soul. Camaraderie and engaging in festivities helps recharge us. Allies just have to remember that the fight isn’t over. If you’re going to party with us, you have to be ready to fight with us as well. Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org www.cincistreetvibe.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor-in-chief: Gabriela Godinez Feregrino Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Mona Jenkins Director of Education: Dr. Mark Mussman Volunteer Editors: Katelyn Lusher, Chris Wilkey Distributor Program Manager: Sallie Mascus Layout: Gabriela Godinez Feregrino Reception: Bonita Batton, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper ------------------------------------------CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Gabriela Godinez, Bill Woods, Alison Young, James Petty, Kathleen Hinkel, Mawethu Nkosana, Aliza Saunder, Dr. Mark Mussman, Raya, Quiver Watts, Key Beck, Clarity Amrein, Maya Stockman, Cleo Wombles, June Alexander, Willa D. Jones, Kim Green, ------------------------------------------- S treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Photography/ Artwork: canva.com, Gabriela Godinez, INSP.com, Dr. Mark Mussman, ---------------------------------------------Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition do not endorse candidates for public office. �No. 39 Nov 227, - N2019 o v 19, 2 0 18 June 133-|June | No. 409 HOMELESSNESS 3 Carelessly linking crime to being homeless adds to the harmful stigma and disadvantage he faced. This was in stark contrast to the wealthy privilege of his killer, Easton Woodhead, who The Conversation was found not guilty of murder because he news of Courtney of mental impairment. Herron’s death has shocked There is therefore an entrenched Melburnians. While full duality at work, in which homelessness details are yet to emerge, leads to victimisation and yet also both she and the man charged with causes offending. This is inaccurate and murdering her have been widely simplistic. reported as being homeless. It’s The roles of the law and the media revealing how news media use this Why is the association of information in framing their coverage homelessness and crime so strong? of what happened. There are two main factors. Media use of the term “homeless” First, many behaviours made is rarely neutral. This is not to say necessary by homelessness are someone’s housing status should never criminalised. Simply trying to survive be included in reporting such events. puts people who are experiencing However, we should be wary of how homelessness in direct contact with the media coverage connects homelessness criminal justice system. to violent crimes. In Victoria, for example, begging Before continuing, we should is a criminal offence. Other laws that say we have relied entirely on the unfairly target the homeless include indecent exposure laws, which result in homeless people being arrested for going to the toilet or washing themselves in public (because they lack the option to do so in private). The second factor is the persistent linking of homelessness and crime in the media. News stories proliferate in the tabloid media about aggressive beggars, foreign backpackers pretending to be homeless to make money and people who exploit their pets as they beg for donations. Coverage of the homeless camp at Flinders Street Station in Melbourne during the 2017 Australian Open tennis tournament routinely described inhabitants as drug dealers, criminals and professional troublemakers. Being homeless means being vulnerable When reading about any event involving people experiencing homelessness, we should remember that being homeless involves serious vulnerability. Homelessness is better understood not as a condition itself, but as a manifestation of multiple vulnerabilities: mental illness, Jon David Guerrero, 40, appears at a competency hearing charged with attacking five homeless men by driving railroad spikes into the heads of his victims, chronic ill-health, unemployment, killing three of them in San Diego, California, U.S., March 20, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake disadvantage, lack of education, histories of trauma or neglect, substance information reported in the media to For readers, knowing Herron was hobo” alongside Miller’s mug shot on dependence and, always, poverty. This write this article. homeless helps us understand her the front page. remains the case regardless of whether Connotations of homelessness vulnerability. Women experiencing The equation of people experiencing the person in question is a victim, an For victims of crime who lack homelessness face a range of risks and homelessness and criminal behaviour offender, or a bystander. stable housing, news media use their challenges, such as higher risks of sexual can appear natural or logical. However, Alison Young is a professor of homelessness as evidence of their violence, exploitation and assault. it is anything but: people experiencing criminology at the University of vulnerability. For perpetrators without In contrast, Hammond’s homelessness are more likely to be Melbourne housing, media use their homelessness homelessness has been reported in a victims of violent offending, not its James Petty is an honorary fellow as a context and explanation of their way that frames the act of violence he perpetrators. of criminology at the University of behaviour. has been charged with. Yet how does Also in 2014, Morgan Wayne Melbourne On the Monday following Herron’s it help us understand this horrific act? “Mouse” Perry was killed while sleeping Courtesy of The Conversation / death, The Guardian ran the headline: Housing status is not generally included rough in Melbourne. His homelessness INSP.ngo “Homeless man appears in court in reporting: we don’t see headlines like revealed the intense marginalisation Alison Young and James Petty T charged with murder of Courtney Herron”. Including the adjective “homeless” in the headline means the accused, Henry Hammond, 27, is from the outset defined by a lack of housing, and by any adverse associations that might relate to individuals experiencing homelessness. In this context, the expression “homeless man” indicates how “homelessness” can be read as shorthand for criminal offending. It’s striking that news reporting of Herron’s homelessness has tended to use expressions such as “of no fixed address”, rather than “homeless”, perhaps indicating an awareness of the adjective’s negative associations. The Age quotes an acquaintance as saying Herron should be “remembered for the lovely woman she was and not just another homeless person who died on the streets”. “Man who lives in renovated Victorian terrace accused of murder”. In fact, criminal behaviour by homed people, in the form of family violence, is the main driver of homelessness in Australia. The relationship between homelessness and crime is thus more complex than media coverage suggests. Hammond’s homelessness may well be an aspect of what has happened, but news headlines like The Guardian’s tap into a longstanding association in some people’s minds between homelessness and criminality. Victims and perpetrators Following the 2014 killing of Renae (Yuk Ling) Lau by Scott Allen Miller in King’s Domain, Melbourne, the media depicted Miller as a dangerous monster. His homelessness was central to this framing. One news outlet (The Advertiser) ran the headline “Killer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 ADVERTISMENT N o v 213 - N v 19,27, 2 02019 18 | N| oNo. . 393 June - oJune 409 May 17 - June 2, 2019 For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 39 ov 2 27, - N o2019 v 19, | 2 0 18409 June 133 -| N June No. PRIDE MONTH 5 50 Years After Stonewall: The Most Marginalized Still Face Oppression Kathleen Hinkel StreetWise A t the heart of the story of the Stonewall Rebellion are homeless LGBTQ youth, transgender people of color and a threatened place of refuge: a gay bar that welcomed the outcasts of society. The Stonewall Inn was a community center of sorts for drag queens and queer youth rendered homeless by familial or societal rejection. Admission at the Stonewall Inn was not expensive and homeless youth could easily scrounge up their admission through panhandling. Once they were in, they could socialize and have a sanctuary for the night. Dick Leitsch, a gay journalist who was the executive director of the Mattachine Society in 1969, once described the Stonewall saying: “It catered largely to a group of people who are not welcome in, or cannot afford, other places of homosexual gathering. The ‘drags’ and the ‘queens,’ two groups which would find a chilly reception or a barred door at most other gay bars and clubs, formed the ‘regulars’ at Stonewall. The Stonewall became ‘home’ to these kids. When it was raided, they fought for it. That, and the fact that they had nothing to lose other than the most tolerant and broadminded gay place in town, explains why the Stonewall riots were begun, led and spearheaded by ‘queens.’” This month we proudly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the uprising at the Stonewall Inn and the 50 years of making strides towards equal rights and acceptance for the LGBTQ community. The Stonewall Rebellion is arguably the most pivotal event in queer liberation’s history; it fired up the modern LGBTQ rights movement, which continues its march towards equal rights and acceptance of LGBTQ people today. Conversations around gay rights in the United States are often divided into two eras: before and after Stonewall. Before Stonewall, LGBTQ individuals faced harrassment, discrimination and potential prosecution for living their lives openly. Because of this, few queer people lived their lives openly. There were several laws that criminalized homosexual behavior and there were no protections in place that would prevent an employer from firing someone who was queer. The American Psychiatric Association even listed homosexuality as a disorder; a person could be institutionalized for being gay. Multiple accounts acknowledge the Stonewall Rebellion as the beginning of gay pride. “Being gay before Stonewall was a very difficult proposition. We felt in order to survive we had to look and act as rugged and manly as possible in order to get by in a society that street kids essential to the Stonewall individuals. was really against us,” says Geanne Rebellion were several trans people The heroes at the heart of the Harwood, who had been in a gay of color including Marsha P. Johnson, Stonewall Rebellion unfortunately relationship with Bruce Merrow for Sylvia Rivera and Miss Major Griffin- remain among the queer communities’ 40 years in 1969. “When Stonewall Gacy, who continued as renowned most marginalized populations happened, Bruce and I were still in the activists for trans rights for decades. today. LGBTQ youth still represent closet, where we’d been for almost 40 Since police raids were common at a disproportionate amount of the years. But we realized this had been a gay bars in 1969, there has been a lot homeless youth population at 40 per tremendous thing that had happened of discussion about why the uprising cent. The reason for this is the same at Stonewall - it gave us a feeling we happened at the Stonewall Inn versus reason that queer youths landed on weren’t going to be remaining closeted another establishment. A commonly the streets in the late 1960s: societal for very much longer. Soon thereafter spread (and debunked) myth is that and/or familial rejection. Trans people we did come out of the closet.” the coincidence of Judy Garland’s today, especially trans women of color, New York City, home of the funeral earlier that night across town continue to be disproportionately Stonewall Inn, had numerous laws on its had inspired the city’s drag queens subjected to harassment; five books in 1969 that criminalized queer to revolt. A more legitimate reason is transgender women have already lifestyles. Two members of the same sex that the Stonewall was the only place been murdered in 2019. On top of were not permitted to dance together. that allowed people to dance with each violence and harassment they also face If people did not wear a minimum of other. Still, the most likely explanation discriminatory government policy such three clothing items that matched their for why the uprising happened at the as the recent ban on military service. supposed gender at birth, they could be incarcerated for “sexual deviancy.” Bars were not permitted to serve alcohol to gay people and therefore the New York State Liquor Authority would not give out licenses to gay bars. Gay bars still existed, but most operated without a license and were controlled by the mafia, who saw an opportunity to profit off a marginalized community that needed a place to gather. The mafia would open establishments without a license as “bottle bars” or private clubs and bribe police to stay away. Between operating without a license and the criminalization of gay lifestyles, police raids were common at gay bars in 1969. The Stonewall Rebellion, also often referred to as the Stonewall Uprising, happened in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969. New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn without Demonstration at City Hall, New York, 1973. Courtesy of New York Public Library, Manuscripts and warning, violently hauling patrons Archives Division. Photo by Diana Davies. out of the bar and arresting 13 people. Crowds gathered on the street and Stonewall Inn is that the bar uniquely Fifty years after Stonewall, gay instead of dispersing, as was common welcomed the most marginalized bars still serve as sanctuaries for the at these raids, they fought back against members of the queer community and queer community and will continue to the police, throwing bricks, bottles when their only refuge was threatened, do so. In addition to gay bars, LGBTQ and other objects, as six days of queer they fought for it. community centers such as Chicago’s resistance ultimately ensued. Since Stonewall, there has been Center on Halsted exist to offer refuge The oral history of what sparked a lot to celebrate in terms of LGBT and a welcoming space that offers the riots features great anecdotes about rights. On its first anniversary, June 28, services for the LGBTQ community. what kicked off the melee that night 1970, queer New Yorkers celebrated When reached for comment on the in the Village. A popular account is “Christopher Street Liberation Day” concept of queer safe spaces and that the first punch was thrown by a and marched from the Stonewall Inn the challenges facing the LGBTQ black butch lesbian resisting arrest. to Central Park in New York’s first gay community today, Mariah Emerson of This person is believed to be Stormé pride march. A day before the New the Center on Halsted had this to say, DeLarverie, a well-known drag king York march, on June 27, 1970, Chicago “In a climate where hate language fuels who had been performing popular activists hosted their own gay pride hate violence, and the essence of “safe shows at places like the Apollo Theatre march to commemorate the Stonewall spaces” could be compromised in the for years. After being beaten in the anniversary. They marched from blink of an eye, community is our refuge. head with a baton by an officer, she Washington Square Park to what is As the most comprehensive LGBTQ punched the officer back and shouted now Daley Plaza, where they gathered community center in the Midwest, to lingering bystanders “Why don’t you around the Picasso chanting “Gay it is our honor and responsibility to guys do something?”; catalyzing their power to gay people!” Pride is now uplift and create space for the LGBTQ counterattack on the police. celebrated by millions across the globe community— in all of its intersections.” The crowd swelled to hundreds of annually with many cities celebrating Safe spaces for queer people to gather, people that night who threw bottles and on the anniversary of the Stonewall dance and meet similar people remain chanted “GAY POWER!” Hundreds Rebellion. The uprising paved the way essential to healthy growth for the continued to return for six days in for activism that has led us to marriage LGBTQ rights movement. a massive demonstration of queer equality, mainstream representation Courtesy of StreetWise / INSP.ngo resistance. Among the drag queens and and workplace protections for LGBTQ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �GLOBAL PRIDE 6 N o v 213 - N v 19,27, 2 02019 18 | N| oNo. . 393 June - oJune 409 LGBTQI Rights in the Balkans: A Perpetual Struggle Mawethu Nkosana The Conversation R omanian Adrian Coman and his American-born partner Clai Hamilton had two major reasons to celebrate when they tied the knot last June. One of course, was their marriage. The other was the historic legal victory they scored when their case before Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) led to the recognition of same sex marriage for the purpose of freedom of movement in the European Union (EU). The case, challenging current law, represented a significant victory for LGBTQI rights, in particular in Eastern Europe. The couple had married in Belgium in 2010 and later decided to settle in Coman’s native Romania. But Hamilton was denied residency rights because the civil code does not recognise same-sex marriages. So, they took the matter to the Romanian courts, which referred it to the CJEU. Romania currently ranks 35th out of the 49 countries assessed by the European region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA-Europe,), in terms of its equality laws and policies. Romania compares fairly favourably – when it comes to protecting and promoting LGBTQI rights – to many other Balkan states. But there is an apparent disconnect between the Romanian government’s intentions and public opinion. While the government adopted anti-discrimination legislation in 2000 and decriminalised consensual samesex relationships the following year, it did an about-face in 2008 when it changed the civil code to ban same-sex marriage and civil partnerships. But 10 years later, referendum voters rejected an attempt to enforce this prohibition at the Constitutional level. In this, Romania is not alone. Uncertainty over LGBTQI rights manifests in a variety of ways across the Balkan region, a massive swathe of territory stretching across Eastern Europe from Turkey in the south to Romania in the north. This uncertainty is a breeding ground for further discrimination, the non-implementation of more liberal civil regimes and the official apathy toward the commission of crimes against members of the LGBTQI community. For example, in 2015, Slovenia’s parliament passed a same-sex marriage bill with a vote of 51-28. But Slovenians disagreed: nine months later, they rejected the new law in a referendum, by a margin of 63 to 37 per cent. Across the Black Sea from Romania, an incident in Armenia demonstrated the challenges that still lie ahead for LGBTIQ rights in this general part of the world. Last week, around 100 demonstrators gathered outside the national assembly in the capital, Yerevan, to protest a speech in parliament by a transgender activist: Lilit Martirosyan’s address at a hearing organised by the United Nations and the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Office. While fuelled by party politics, the protests were clearly transphobic. In some places a more liberal legal framework has been established but greater tolerance is not guaranteed. Croatia passed the Life Partnership Act in 2014, granting same-sex couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts – except for adoption, although a parent’s life partner can become a child’s partner-guardian. This was despite an opinion poll the previous year, showing that almost 60 per cent of Croats thought that marriage should be constitutionally defined as being between a man and a woman. This raises questions around the enforceability and public acceptance of the Life Partnership Act. Greece presents a more extreme example of public opinion rising against political decisions. Despite its parliament approving civil unions for same-sex couples in a landslide 194-55 vote four years ago, when polls showed that only a third of citizens supported such a reform, public attitudes toward the LGBTQI community remained hardened. In its 2019 review of LGBTI rights, ILGA-Europe reports the prevalence of homophobic and transphobic speech in Greece, in particular by clergy. It notes also the an International LBTQI youth and student organization ranks Greece as one of the least inclusive countries around LGBTQI issues in education. The ILGA-Europe review also describes the shocking 2018 murder of LGBT+ and HIV activist Zak Kostopoulos, who was fatally beaten by an Athens jewellery shop owner, a second person and police officers. Despite videos of the incident being made public, the media made later-discredited claims that he had been trying to rob the shop and had been under the influence of drugs. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED The other side of the coin is where authorities, even when they are not backed by legislation, foment hatred and violence toward the LGBTQI community – as in Turkey, where homosexuality has been legal since 1858, although sexual orientation, gender identity and same-sex relationships are not recognised in civil rights laws. In November 2017, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared the empowering LGBT people to be “against the values of our nation”. A week later, the governor’s office in the capital, Ankara, banned all LGBT cultural events in that city. Deep-seated prejudice towards the LGBTQI community in the Balkans – in contrast to Western Europe, where studies and polls consistently show more liberal attitudes – have been further inflamed by the influx over several years of refugees from conflict zones in the Middle East. LGBTQI refugees from countries like Iraq and Syria escape sexual orientation or gender discrimination and persecution in their homelands, only to face it once again in the Balkans. Fearful, many do not report their sexual orientation or gender identity when applying for refugee status. This invariably leads to their applications being rejected and them being repatriated to their home countries. If they stay, or move to another country, their illegal status means they are often forced to support themselves through high-risk occupations such as sex work. And because they enjoy no legal rights, they are at risk of official persecution and have no recourse should they be victimised by the general public. The win for LGBTQI rights in the Coman-Hamilton judgment is without doubt important, and it stands proudly among other small victories in the Balkans region. But what positive changes there have been are incremental, and often negated by continued prejudice and a lack of will to implement reforms. Until public and official attitudes undergo a paradigm shift in every one of the Balkan states – irrespective of whether or not their civil regimes are currently transforming – the region’s LGBTQI community will continue to be denied basic human rights and disproportionately suffer indignity, discrimination and violence. Mawethu Nkhosana is an LGBTI activist and the crisis response fund administrator at CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organisations. Courtesy of Inter Press Service / INSP.ngo �No. 39 3 |- N ov 2 -27, N o2019 v 19, |2No. 0 18409 June 13 June GLOBAL PRIDE 7 'This time is real': Taiwan counts down to Asia's first same-sex weddings Aliza Saunders Street Roots L esbians Chu Pei-syuan and Liang Tsung-hui will this week tie the knot for the second time - this time at home, after Taiwan became the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage. Taiwan's parliament legalised gay marriage last week, reinforcing its reputation as a beacon of liberalism in Asia, but the move has divided the selfruled island. The bill, which offers same-sex couples similar legal protections for marriage to heterosexuals, will take effect on Friday and Chu and Liang will be among the first to wed under the new law. "Finally we are no longer strangers in the eye of the law - we will be recognised as a couple," said 32-yearold Chu, a part-time retail worker in the capital Taipei. The pair, who met 12 years ago when they volunteered at an LGBT+ charity and fell in love, married in Canada in 2012, using up three years of savings to travel there. But the marriage was only "symbolic" as it was not recognised back home, said Liang, a 35-year-old social worker. This Friday, they will join about 200 gay couples who have booked to register their marriages on the first day of the law being in force, with mass weddings also planned. Limitations The bill passed just days before a deadline set by a top court which ruled in 2017 that Taiwan must legalise samesex marriage by May 24 - and it was not without controversy. Two-thirds of voters in a November referendum voted to retain the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman under the current civil law. Same-sex marriage in Taiwan will be allowed under a separate new law - a move the government said respected both the court ruling and the referendum results. Even then, conservative and religious groups tried to stage a lastditch attempt last week for a watereddown version of the bill which offered less protections, but failed. There will be limitations under the new law, however. It allows same-sex marriages only between Taiwanese, or with foreigners whose countries recognise same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples will only be allowed to adopt children biologically related to at least one of them. "It's still a compromised version (of what we wanted) but it's the closest to our ideal expectations," said Jennifer Lu, the chief coordinator of the Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan, an alliance that spearheads the gay unions campaign. "This is the best scenario for us at the moment," said Lu, who has a longtime lesbian partner, describing the move as "historic". A push for same-sex marriage has been slow elsewhere in Asia, where socially conservative attitudes still prevail. Thailand has drafted a civil partnership bill that would legally recognise same-sex couples as civil partners, but LGBT+ activists said it does not grant marriage equality. The same-sex marriage issue has become a political hot potato for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who campaigned on a promise for marriage equality in the run up to 2016 polls. It had become divisive even within her ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which suffered a poll defeat last year that was blamed partly on Tsai's reform agenda. The new measure could also undermine her bid to seek a second term in elections next year. The Coalition for the Happiness of Our Next Generation, which has campaigned against gay marriage, warned the public would "strike back" at the next general election in 2020. "The will of some seven million people in the referendum has been trampled," the group said in a statement. Pink economy But on the Aiguo East Road dubbed the "Bridal Street" in downtown Taipei, bridal shops welcomed the news, expecting an uptick in gay couples signing up for wedding photoshoot packages that can cost more than $3,000. LGBT+ group Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan said legalisation could spur the "pink economy", with couples spending at least $23,000 on weddings. "Once it is legalised it will not be controversial anymore and people will be much more open about their sexuality," said Fanny Pan, a manager at Lishe Wedding, one of more than 10 bridal shops on the street. "It really shows Taiwan does not discriminate against anyone," she said. Chu and Liang said they now felt their rights as a couple were protected. Chu recalled how when she was treated for depression a few years ago, Liang was not allowed to stay because hospital authorities did not recognise their relationship. On Friday they will join others at a mass wedding ceremony in the city centre, wearing tailor-made matching shirts. "We have married before, but this time it is for real," said Liang. Courtesy of Reuters / Thomson Reuters Foundation / INSP.ngo A same-sex marriage advocate holds a rainbow flag before rendering signatures to call for a referendum over equal marriage, outside Central Election Commission in Taipei, Taiwan September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �PRIDE MONTH 8 N o v 213 - -NJune o v 19, 2 02019 18 | N o . 393 June 27, | No. 409 No Pigs at Pride Dr. Mark Mussman Staff Writer H ave you ever had a nightmare that was so stressful that you consciously woke yourself up? In my experience, these are the dreams where the cops show up. The police force has been a destabilizing factor in American life for far too long. The Appalachian experience in Cincinnati has been to avoid the police, because they split up our families. Police are an offshoot of so-called slavecatching, they enforce unjust laws, and they have no place in Pride. Total institutions are processes where individuals are indoctrinated into the institution by means of removing identities and supplanting them with the institutional viewpoint. Boot camp, insane asylums, jail, and police academies are all considered total institutions. Individuals who go into these institutions are socialized and acculturated into cogs in a machine. Your name is removed, your connection to the outside is hindered, your body is the property of someone else and is often adulterated in some way (prohibition of certain hair styles, for instance.) The purpose of total institutions is to make sure that the inhabitants work for the machine, rather than against it, by placing a new identity onto those on the inside. This is why there are no good cops, as they are all working to protect wealth and criminalize poverty. This is done by criminalizing difference; therefore, all people who are outside a certain profile become the enemy of the state. Pride has its origin in the Stonewall Rebellion of June, 1969. The Stonewall Inn had been an important, inclusive, nightclub for the community of LGBTQIA+ (or queer) people in New York City. Many cities, including Cincinnati, had laws against queer people. In fact, some sodomy laws have been recently repealed (although “sodomy” is not just an act done by queer people, as most laws intended to hurt some people end up hurting all people.) In Cincinnati, it was illegal to do business as a trans person, because they feared that there was some type of dishonesty occuring, just in how someone presents themselves. The night of the rebellion was not the first time, nor the last, that police forces have harassed queer people who are just trying to live, but it was a flashpoint that garnered attention. When Stonewall was raided, it was the youth experiencing homelessness who pushed back first, and began to fight the police officers. The police were humiliated and hurt, as they fell back and were taunted by a spontaneous chorus-line of trans women women who mocked the police. Seeking liberation from the police oppression, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson were both key players in the rebellion. It’s important to remember the contributions of trans women of color experiencing homelessness who essentially started the rebellion. Without them, we would not have Pride today. It’s also important to remember that Stonewall was a rebellion, not a riot. Queer people were being systematically erased from society, unless you were wealthy and recieved some kind of social status. When the police raided Stonewall Inn, it was at a time when there were no other queer bars that allowed trans people and people who were experiencing homelessness in their establishments. A clear injustice is that queer people face homelessness at a higher rate due to family rejection and other discrimination. Just like in Cincinnati in 2001, Stonewall was a rebellion, not a riot, as they were fighting against injustice. Today, the Cincinnati Police Department has one LGBTQI+ liaison. One out of 1000 officers has specialized training to “deal” with queer people. The police have been notoriously harsh to queer people, by misnaming, misgendering, and brutalizing us. Just the part of police culture that refers to people by adjectives (“male,” “female”) rather than pronouns or nouns, is so dehumanizing, yet it part of the police culture. In the early 2000’s, Cincinnati Pride warranted lines of police in riot gear hiding in alleyways downtown. It was clear that they were not there to protect us, but to turn on us as soon as they got the order. Today’s police THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED presence at Pride may be “friendly” but have no doubt that they will turn on us if given the order. Even with the constant threat of brutality that queer people face, it is not the police who find solutions, but the community who comes together to support us. Police don’t make communities of color, queer people, or women safer, as they often are the very people who brutalize us, but rather, they are threats to our very liberation. Within the historical and contemporary context, it is clear that the police have no place at Pride. They are in constant conflict with our desire to be free and to live our lives without fear. No police officer has stopped a hate crime against us, and they actually provide no remedy. If anything, it’s the courts who could provide some remedy, and police are just a part of the system as an accessory. If you do encounter a police officer, remember that you do not need to offer them any information, even if you are being accused of a crime. You can ask them if you are free to go, or if you are being detained. Tell them that you do not consent to a search. Ask to see the search warrant. Tell them that you will not speak. Demand to speak to your lawyer. Remain calm. Police will find anything that you do criminal, so it’s very important to remain calm and to know your rights. Ask for their badge number, then ask them to leave. We can turn our nightmare into a dream by removing the cops from Pride. �No. 39 Nov 2 27, - No v 19,| 2 0 18409 June 133 -| June 2019 No. 9 PRIDE MONTH Stonewall 50 Years On: Stop The Commercialization of Pride Raya Contributing Writer I n 1969 police raided a gay bar and patrons fought back. Tired of being kicked around by abusive officers and frustrated by the everyday brutalities of capitalism, queer people took their fate into their own hands in a spontaneous outburst of resistance. Spontaneity quickly gave way to organization; it was the era of the Gay Liberation Front, the Lavender Menace, and the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR). In those early days, the most oppressed were in the lead. STAR became the model: it fought for trans rights, embraced socialist ideas, attacked mass incarceration and police brutality, allied itself with the Black Panthers and the Young Lords, and became a center for homeless activism. Mass action and socialist organizing was the order of the day, and it worked. The queer liberation movement began to grow and make gains. With growth, however, ‘respectability politics' began to gain a foothold. Wealthy cisgender white gay men, saw trans liberation as an embarrassment and fear black liberation and socialist demands as a direct threat to their power. And when right-wing attempts to weaponize the AIDS crisis were met with the fury of ACT UP, co-optation and commercialization became a deliberate strategy of some sections of the ruling class. Today police, who spend 364 days a year brutalizing queer people, are invited to attend celebratory Pride Parades (not even protests!) sponsored by major corporations. To add injury to insult, it is perfectly legal in Ohio for those very same corporations to fire queer employees simply for being queer and for landlords to refuse to rent to queer tenants. Doctors can refuse to rest queer patients, queer children can be tortured through state sanction conversion therapy, and state’s hate crime law provides no protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity. 50 years after Stonewall queer people in Ohio and elsewhere remain disproportionately homeless, arrested, raped, suicidal, unemployed, and impoverished. Pride is an achievement of our community’s refusal to be ashamed of our existence and live our lives underground, but as it stands today it is also a vehicle for the capitalist class to subvert our movement into the safe channels of consumerism. It’s time we took it back. We need a protest not a party, and we will make our voices heard at Cincinnati Pride and across the country. Marxists, from Bebel’s 1898 protest against German homophobia to the Bolsheviks decriminalization Pride flag listing different brands of alcohol hangs outside of a local Over-the-Rhine bar that reads, "Proud Supporters of Cincinnati Pride." of homosexuality in the early Soviet state (Stalin re-criminalized it when he killed the Bolsheviks), have always fought for LGBTQ+ rights and today’s socialist movement is no exception. The Democratic Socialists of America, the International Marxist Tendency, and other left-wing organizations are fighting for a vision of queer liberation premised on a rejection of the capitalist takeover of Pride and it’s implicit assumption that queer people are valuable only insofar as they have money to spend. Only by abolishing capitalism, by seizing the commanding heights of the economy and bringing them under democratic control, can we build a society free of all types of oppression and exploitation. Only through a socialist revolution led by the most marginalized and oppressed people in society can we finally tear down the capitalist systems of homophobia and transphobia. Today our demands are: No corporations or cops at Pride, end housing and employment discrimination, establish a universal healthcare system, and ban conversion therapy. Tomorrow they will be for the socialist revolution and a building of a new world. Amplifying the voices of LGBTQ prisoners Quiver Watts Street Sheet C asper Cendre’s small apartment has stacks of letters, envelopes, and artwork in every corner. On their monitor is a spreadsheet with hundreds of names, a chronological record of every letter received and the order in which to respond. A decorated frame holds a brightly colored depiction of David Bowie, who looks on with twinkling eyes. This is the home of ABO Comix, a prisoner solidarity collective and small press based in Oakland working to amplify the voices of LGBTQ prisoners throughout the US and to assist them with financial, legal, mental and emotional help and solidarity. The project started in 2017 when a group of friends got together in a community garden to look through some comics, and the conversation moved toward prisoner solidarity work. “I’ve been working with prisoners for about a decade, and Io and Woof had been working on comic projects for about as long,” said Casper. “And we thought it would be cool to kinda just bridge the two things.” They took out ads in papers that were distributed in prison across the nation inviting submissions of comics and stories, not knowing if they would hear back from anyone. They received hundreds of letters in response from people who were really excited about it. “We went from thinking ‘maybe someone will submit a comic to us’ to having just like, so much mail and so much art and like, tons of new friends.” Over the next year they worked with a few dozen artists to refine their work and eventually raised enough funds to publish their first LGBTQ+ comic anthology. Once the book was published they paid out to all of the artists who had been part of the collection, sending money into the commissary accounts of more than twenty comic artists. All the funds from book sales go to assisting queer people in prison. “Because our mail load is so overwhelming and the need is so overwhelming, we receive hundreds and hundreds of letters, and generally it’s just me writing back to people,” says Casper. “I’ve thought about like, yeah I need to create some boundaries. But I haven’t, because you get really emotionally invested in people, and they generally don’t have anyone else on the outside. So when you get letters from people saying you’re the only person they’ve had contact with during their whole length of incarceration, it’s really hard to just say no.” The need is very clear, as queer incarcerated folks have so little support, and often face serious bigotry while in prison. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Casper tells me that his friend Joseph Oguntodu, a queer man of color who has been writing to him since 2017, was recently killed by his cellmate in Texas. ABO Comix hosted a service for him on 7 April at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. Courtesy of Street Sheet / INSP.ngo ABO Comix logo �10 PRIDE MONTH N o v 213 - -NJune o v 19, 2 02019 18 | N o . 393 June 27, | No. 409 Black and Proud or Black and Loud? Key Beck Contributing Writer P ride is a celebration with a long history of violence, liberation, oppression and freedom. For some folx (folx is a gender neutral word for “people” or “a group”), these terms aren’t consistent with their experiences, but for others this truly illustrates their conflicted experiences with pride. I think it is essential to acknowledge that the experience of pride celebrations like that of LGBTQ2SIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/ or Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex and Asexual) experiences, are not a monolith. Everyone within the LGBTQ+ community experience their sexual orientation and gender identity in different ways, so it is understandable that Pride, a number of summer celebrations meant to highlight the positive impact of LGBTQ+ identities in society, is experienced in different ways as well. Just a historical note; the original Pride was based in civil unrest due to police harassing LGBTQ+ people (especially people of color) and requiring bars to pay a sum of money to avoid arrest and/or harassment. When the bars refused to pay police off an additional time, the officers chose to arrest many transgender and gender non-conforming patrons of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. During the arrest, the infamous “brick heard around the world” was thrown at police leading to a couple days of civil unrest in the New York community. There was a series of spontaneous demonstrations over the next couple days, all with the purpose of securing queer liberation. It is important to understand this history to understand why some LGBTQ+ may have a distrust of police, pride celebration organizations and police taking part in pride celebrations. As an openly out, queer, nonbinary person of color who wears makeup, my experiences with pride celebrations are starkly different from my homo-normative, white, cis-gender, straight-passing LGBT counterparts who imbibe on queer-themed libations, consume strategically marketed rainbow capitalism, and participate in festivities free from community abuse and oppression. At a recent pride parade, this experience was felt as I walked around to onlookers gawking at my clothing and makeup because “I was BRAVE to wear my outfit and makeup.” I literally would notice people looking me up and down and making a sour face, as if they drank spoiled milk, before they broke out in laughter with friends. At one pride celebration, a group of people followed me around the celebration pointing and snickering at my gender expression. Not all pride celebrations are bad though. Some organizations are starting to get it. They are highlighting the most marginalized of our communities and yielding space for them, their stories and their experiences. They are trying to understand the roots of Pride; a celebration of the diversity, resistance, belonging and liberation within the LGBTQ+ community. One example happened with Indianapolis Pride. There were multiple points in the celebration where pansexual, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and asexual folx were specifically called out and were told they were loved. Lizzo, a feminist, body-positive female singer made a point to stop her show and share her love of the LGBTQ+ community saying, “Trans live matter, black lives matter, LGBTQ lives matters.” This small statement had such an impact for many LGBTQ+ folks of color in the crowd. We felt seen. We felt heard. We felt acknowledged. It is this kind of intentional work that needs to be done for allies, LGBTQ serving organizations and community members. We should be at a point in society where we understand the impact of rejection and non-affirming communities. Researchers from the Family Acceptance Project, an organization focused on studying family rejection, shares data yearly. They found that family rejection leads to 30% of LGBTQ youth experiencing abuse and leading to around 43% of youth experiencing homelessness. Some other health disparities to think about would be that LGBTQ+ youth are three times more likely to experience elicit drug use, three times more likely to engage in safe sex, six times more likely to experience depression and eight times more likely to have suicide idea or death by suicide. These statistics clearly show that LGBTQ youth are experiencing a lot of trauma based on their identity. When you add other experiences of poverty, oppressions and other prejudice, or identity-based rejection, LGBTQ+ folx experience a very unique and specific type of rejection. It is important to point this specific type of rejection out to fully acknowledge the ways multimarginalized folx within the LGBTQ community experience even higher rates of rejections from those who may blend or conform to societal norms. Pride should be a time of celebration, remembrance and liberation. We need to move away from infusing our celebration with capitalism, exclusion and disparity. We all have work to do, but it shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of the multi-marginalized. The job of liberation should be on those in the majority, those with power and those who hold privilege. We need to directly say the words, “black lives matter and trans lives matter.” It is on all of us to ensure that pride is what it was meant to be: a rebellion against oppression and a pathway to freedom. Numbers and Figures Clarity Amrein Contributing Writer A m I the sum of my experiences? Am I the result? My first kiss is in the woods by my house from a boy who held his mohawk up with Elmer’s glue. My next kisses and the first time I ever have fingers inside of me is from my friend, a girl, whose skin smells like cinnamon and whose parents fight a lot. A year later, just shy of fourteen, I am held down and raped by my neighbor’s younger brother. Is this my first time or was she? Maybe they cancel each other out and I’ve been a virgin this whole time? Am I the ongoing calculation of my experiences – a ledger updated regularly? I have boyfriends throughout high school, but only the last one ever hit me. I was stuck on someone else when I met Audrey my sophomore year of college and I wish I would’ve gone to her instead. After a year in a new city, my long-term partner announced that they were transitioning genders and we stayed together for another year. During my last months of undergrad, my college girlfriend and I initiate a threesome with a guy from the band we saw that night. After graduation, I fall for a greying older man when he calls me “kiddo” because it’s easy to mix the feelings of sexual attraction and the longing for a father I never had. This year, new and unfamiliarly strong feelings arise for a brilliant woman I worked with. I move through life person by person, moment by moment. Am I the sum of my experiences? Is my life all the more rich by the brief or complicated loves I’ve experienced with men, women, and non-binary people? Or am I the cheating, greedy pansexual they all warned you about? Am I the piece of tape they hold up in abstinence-only sex education class that doesn’t stick to anything anymore because it’s been used so many times? How come when I ask Kristen out at a house show in college she tells me I’m not even gay enough to be there, let alone go out with her? Are there too many boys on the ledger and I have to sleep with more girls to even the count? But if I sleep with more people, will future partners cringe at the total? How come they called me a whore before I ever touched anyone and why do they still say it no matter how many people I’ve slept with? Why do they think I have diseases when I’ve always used a condom? Am I the sum of my experiences? Am I queer enough to be at this meeting? At this protest? At this bar? Do I have to show my list of names to get in? Do I have to lie about my list of names to get in? Am I a shirt with too many stains on it, a flower with all the petals plucked off? Am I liberated, a free spirit, or a silly girl going through a twelve-year-long phase? Do I have to cut my hair? Do I have to keep my armpits and pubic hair unshaved to prove I’ve loved someone other than a man? Should I apologize for the past or wear it like a war medal? Am I only the sum of my experiences? Am I only the sum of the people I’ve had sex with? Does the answer depend on who’s doing the math? I’ve had an abortion, been seriously ill, dabbled in sex work, and been strapped to a hospital bed against my will. I’ve had poems published nationally, got my degree, traveled some of the world, and became a budding activist and artist in my city. Do these factor into my ledger? Do I come out in the positive or negative? Am I good enough yet or do I still owe? It’s June again and Pride month becomes more and more important to me every year (despite its rampant commodification). I am reminded that I fall somewhere on the spectrum and within the rainbow, and by extension THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED this month is for me too. For once, I am reminded that I am not the sum of my personal or sexual experiences, and I don’t have to apologize for them to be here. I am reminded that I do not have to quantify my queerness and provide the receipt to be here. I am reminded, rejuvenated to fight for true radical queer liberation, for the lifting of painful stigmas about sex, gender, and sexuality that have plagued me all my life, for the socioeconomic and political equality of the most marginalized LGBTQIA+ people because this month is about all of us - and it demands the unification and solidarity of our whole community. On this particular day in June, I feel proud to be pansexual and sexually fluid. I am not an arithmetic sum of my sexual experiences; I am defined by the love and effort I am capable of giving to other human beings and by the acts of service I perform for the world around me. I am defined by being honest about and accountable for my past. I am defined by what I learn and utilize from every experience. I am not a ledger, a worn out piece of tape, or a series of regrets. I am pansexual because my head and heart know no limitations. For me, rigidity does not compute. �No. 39 Nov 2 27, - No v 19,| 2 0 18409 June 133 -| June 2019 No. PRIDE MONTH 11 The Intersection of LGBTQ, Students, and Music Maya Stockman Contributing Writer T he music community consists of almost anyone you can think of; very few people can say that they neither consume nor produce music in some way. At some capacity, almost everyone in the world might passively listen to music, actively seek out types of music they like, attempt to create music for leisure, or make their career out of music. Music is mass consumed by almost any type of person, many of which identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ community is broad, but it’s still a minority. A 2017 survey by gallup.com found that the LGBT population consisted of 4.5% of Americans at the time, though it’s important to notice this number is not reliable. Coming out about ones identity can be uncomfortable, dangerous, sometimes even life-threatening. Many LGBT youth don’t come out until later in life in fear of being abandoned by family. LGBT culture is noticeable and open in pop culture, and sometimes the lines are blurred. Many pop culture references like the phrases “yaas,” “queen,” “slay,” or “werk” are all terms that have been gleaned from queer culture and have become daily phrases for young people, whether or not they identify as members of the community at all. This is all fun and games until the LGBT community looks for inclusion and equality and gets rejected. One of these areas of life that is important to feel included in is the arts. Music can be the way that people express their emotions, and it can also be the way that some people get involved outside of themselves. Music might help a gay teen who is in the middle of discovering themselves find a space where they feel safe. According to the Music Educators Journal, “LGBTQ students in many parts of the United States often experience hostility on the part of other students, teachers, and administrators.” Music does so much for the LGBT community, but the music community often rejects them. As in all forms of media, representation in music is important. The biggest wave of LGBT growth hasn’t just been musicians coming out as gay, but the fact that society is becoming increasingly more comfortable with talking about the fact that their favorite musicians, such as David Bowie, Elton John, Leonard Bernstein, and many others, were most definitely members of the LGBT community. However, just because these two communities interact doesn’t mean that the LGBT community is being adequately represented in music. Every year, more pop stars like Lady Gaga, Janelle Monáe, and Sam Smith come out as being LGBT in some way. With each popular musician who does this, many young LGBT students in music classrooms are instantly validated and they’re given more of a voice than they had before. When these adults that LGBT youth identify with come out, speak out, and make art that they can relate to, it speaks volumes to these kids and reassures them that they can be who they are unapologetically. All too often there’s a pop tune released by an artist, and the lyrics make it abundantly clear that heterosexuality is always the implied default. It’s hard for LGBT youth to relate to that. In an interview with “queer pop” artist Be Steadwell, she makes a point to mention that “being queer, a song where a woman is talking to a woman is exciting. I don't have that many of those songs in my life, and it's exciting and I identify with it.”3 These two communities, the music community and the LGBT community, have so much overlap. The LGBT community has more cultural influence than people realize, and music is one of their main ways of communicating and connecting with other communities. If this is the case, why isn’t there enough representation? Why does it have to be a big deal when a musician brings their LGBT-ness into their music? What can people do to foster more inclusivity in music? It might not be hard to believe, but the best way to foster a positive musical experience for LGBT youth starts in the music classroom. According to William Southerland, “Music classrooms may be uniquely supportive educational environments for LGBTQ students because by their very nature, group music-making may lead to greater social understanding.” The classroom can foster many different types of environments for children. Whether this be a positive environment or not is up to many important adults: parents, teachers, administrators, secretaries of education, congressmen, senators, etc. Anyone who has a minor influence on the way American classrooms are conducted has a significant impact on those students. The decisions these Very Important Adults make can be as impactful as life or death decisions. Southerland also mentions in his article that homophobia is still rampant in classrooms, despite the growing awareness of that community. Part of being in the LGBT community is knowing that there are many people who might wish horrible things upon you. LGBT children cannot do anything about this fact except to accept the fact and hope they can find a safe space. For many of these LGBT children who are newly rejuvenated by the music of Lady Gaga or Sam Smith, the music classroom is where that happens. Music class might be the only class where certain LGBT students feel they are able to express themselves. In an interview with my friend Morgan Bates, who is an independent graduate student in Eugene, Oregon studying trumpet performance, I asked her about how her queerness had affected her music making. She answered eloquently, “Being openly queer involves being vulnerable every day of my life. I think that coming out helped me let my guard down, and the more comfortable I am with myself, the better I sound [when making music]” For many other students like Morgan, being openly LGBT can open up a whole new world of music making. Conversely, making music can help students identify themselves because of how vulnerable music making can be. The music classroom has a beautiful opportunity to become a safe space for these students. Participation is vital to a music classroom’s environment and to the success of the students. Students’ willingness to fully participate depends on the attitude of the teacher and how much the students feel they can trust and respect that teacher. When teachers create an emotional safe space for their students, they immediately set up a classroom in which students will look forward to taking risks, expressing themselves, and unlocking their full creative potential. Even though the LGBT community continues to grow and become a hot topic of discussion each day, the music community stays closed off. Music has been around for as long as humanity. Unfortunately, the music community continues today to be almost exclusively cisgender, white THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED men. These members of the music community are targeted most often and pandered to, are the producers or composers who are often financially supported more or talked about more, and are critics who “decide” what is musically relevant or “good” about music at the time. Women, children, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are rarely talked about at all. Providing this tiny minority where the music community and the LGBTQ+ community overlap with the recognition and the representation it deserves will have such worthwhile results. Studies have already shown that giving people the support they need and deserve can do wonders for mental health – why doesn’t this carry throughout this specific community? Morgan Bates, when asked about the rewarding aspects of being a member of the music and the LGBTQ+ community at the same time, said “I love the fact that playing the trumpet sets my identity free. I play one of the loudest, most dominant instruments in the orchestra while being an underrepresented individual in this industry … Playing the trumpet gives me power when society tends to strip it away.”4 It’s becoming more and more prevalent to the leaders of our nation that these LGBT-identifying musicians need our attention, support, and help. The two communities, the music community and the LGBTQ+ community, have an overwhelming amount of overlap in multiple areas, so we need to stop pretending this overlap doesn’t exist within people, too. �12 Baby Girl STREETVOICE N o v 13 2 --N o v 19, 0 18 | |NNo. o . 393 June June 27,22019 409 THANK YOU BETHANY HOUSE Hi my name is Cleo Wombles. At age 18 years old I was Bethany House, thank you for being there when I involved in a relationship. My girlfriend got pregnant. I got needed you. I was sent to Cincinnati from a battered a job and got married. Every day for 14 months I would women’s shelter in the Deep South. I needed protection walk to see my baby daughter. from some dangerous people who I had confronted She had all together 19 operations. Not enough intestines- about child abuse. The battered women’s shelter was started out with 8 inches. Supposed to be 8 or 100 or more. not a fit for me, but Darlene Robinson (the director With saddens and grief she passed after 14th months. It then) took me in. Darlene, her staff, and her family-- was a hard time. including her sister Beverly and their mother Ms. Vee- Got divorced. After 9 years I went to Good Samaritan -sheltered and championed a very frightened woman Hospital- on the 9th floor they had a plaque of her on the who had no family and no other place to go. For a wall. person who felt punished for doing a good deed, these I started sketching it. a nurse opened the door. women made sure I felt welcome and safe. She said, “do you know that girl?” The Sisters of Charity, who I believe started I told her that she was my daughter. Bethany House, decided that no child and their mother She was the nurse who used to take care of her. I told her I would hear those same words another famous mother did not have any pictures of her. heard: There’s no room at the inn. In contrast to a state To my surprise she opened a file cabinet. She handed me a file folder that had 9 large pictures of her. I asked the nurse if I could hug her. We embraced each other with tears and compassion. As I left I told her God bless. Out of my sorrow came joy. Cleo Wombles Contributing Writer Streetvibes Distributor that goes on about God and Jesus the Charities, Darlene and her staff and family actually served the “least of these.” I challenge you, members of Cincinnati City Council, to help these people keep these beds so the world will not remember this city years later as the city that told mothers and babies, “There is no room at the inn.” Don’t be another group of people whose faith starts and ends with that hour or two in church. Tell the whole world, “Here in Cincinnati, there is room at the inn and that room includes Hope! JUNE ALEXANDER ContributingWriter Streetvibes Writing Circle If you would like to submit a story for publication in streetvibes, come join Katelyn Lusher, Chris Wilkey, and Alex McIntosh for a group writing session! THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 39 Nov 227, - N2019 o v 19, 2 0 18 June 133- |June | No. 409 STARTING OVER STREETVOICE After being homeless and living on the street for five years After the loss of all i had i owe a lot of my recovery to my peers After the talbert house, bethany house and the drop inn center I found the off the street program only then did my life remove the bender They taught me how to communicate and speak without doubt, fear or shame They gave me all the insight needed and if i failed only i would be the blame I felt reborn and started singing ain’t no stopping me now TRUMP VERSUS PLANET EARTH In its usual, arrogant acts of defiance, The Trump Administration debunks Science. Do you find it more than a little strange, That Trump flatly denies climate change, And that he has made it a primary cause To dismantle EPA's environmental laws? Is Trump measuring his own self worth, By his efforts to destroy planet earth? BILL WOODS an i stop looking back Contributing Writer I found a place of my own where i could be alone and get NO LOVE INSIDE my life back on track Next i found cincinnati homeless coalition who liked and What a scary world appreciated my poetry Let me know that i was not homeless alone and for them caring i have loyalty They introduce me to the street vibe paper for the Take a lok at yourself from inside Do you see a dr. Jekyll and mr. Hyde? cincinnati homeless coalition Saying my being homeless my poetry needed to be shared sounds like a mission Finally i found myself on findlay market where my life found a new direction Is it true? There's no love inside of you To love your neighbor as yourself The day the coalition told me that findlay market agreed to give me a section So many new friends, mr. Pottery man, mr. Popcorn man an the seasoning lady Talking about how we all must pay bills, save money and be happy now not maybe I've learned starting over is the will within yourself where there is power With the belief and faith that you have in yourself you 13 We are all sisters and brothers We're supposed to love each other Didn't you listen as a kid to your mother? To love yourself and each other Love inside, starts within yourself will change hour by hour Willa D. Jones Contributing Writer Streetvibes Distributor THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �PUZZLES 14 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 106 Across 1. Under-water breathing device 6. Domesticated animal companion 9. Unexpected slide 13. Ravine 14. In the past 15. Blank area 16. Relating to birds 17. Swindle 18. Claw 19. Pull back 21. Item of clothing 23. Father 24. Name of the plantation in Gone with the Wind 25. Astern 28. Molten volcanic rock 30. Homopterous insect 35. Snare 37. Saucy 39. Bulbous herb with single showy flower 40. A slow pace of running 41. Religious doctrine 43. Cleansing agent 44. Herbaceous plant with aromatic seeds 46. Annoy 47. Basic knitting stitch 48. Potent 50. Spline 52. Staining substance 53. Strong sweeping cut 55. Weep 57. Flower merchant 61. Legislator 65. Woven fabric 66. Simian 68. Gauntlet 69. Entertain 70. Pitch 71. Common 72. Persistently annoying person 73. Female sheep 74. Ahead of time PUZZLE SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD #105 Down 1. Evidence of previous injury 2. Grotto 3. A single undivided whole 4. Supervisory committee 5. Toughen steel or glass by gradually heating and cooling 6. Treaty 7. Self 8. Polynesian country 9. Junk e-mail 10. Coarse curly-leafed cabbage 11. Symbol 12. Depression in a surface 15. Narrow sea channel 20. Adjust or conform 22. Part of a circle 24. Sully 25. Book of maps 26. Anterior 27. Perissodactyl mammal 29. Swerve 31. Point formed by two intersecting arcs 32. With relatively high volume 33. Personal journal 34. Fruit, malus pumila 36. Currency of Cuba 38. Relate 42. Taunt 45. Motor 49. Fuel 51. Part of a shoe below the laces 54. Condition 56. Lightweight wood 57. Excited state of agitation 58. Acidic fruit 59. Burden 60. Remainder 61. Scorch 62. Enlistment term 63. Elliptical 64. Depend 67. Foot of an animal Nov 2 o v 19, 18 | N o . 393 June 13- -NJune 27,2 02019 | No. 409 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 397 - EASY SODOKU PUZZLE NO 396- EASY PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 39 Nov 227, - N2019 o v 19,| No. 2 0 18409 June 133-| June Central Access Point 381-SAFE Shelter: Women and Children RESOURCES Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 621-7265 1528 Race St. 45202 Churches Active in Northside Bethany House 557-2873 4230 Hamilton Ave. 45223 591-2246 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 1841 Fairmount Ave. 45214 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 112 E. Liberty Street 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 4600 Erie Ave. 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 6037 Cary Ave. 45224 Salvation Army 762-5660 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 131 E. 12th Street 45202 1125 Bank Street 45214 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men Shelter: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Shelterhouse 721-0643 2121 Vine Street 45202 411 Gest St. 45203 Prospect House 921-1613 1437 Walnut Street 45202 Starting Over 961-2256 1805 Dalton Ave. 45214 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 682 Hawthorne Ave. 45205 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Parkway Center 661-4620 First Step Home 961-4663 Shelter: Youth 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Sheakley Center for Youth (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave. 45219 569-9500 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave 45220 961-4080 Shelter: Family Interfaith Hospitality Network Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) 471-1100 1522 Republic Street 45202 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 VA 977-6800 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert Ave. 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street 45202 St. Francis Seraph Ministries 549-0542 St. George Food Pantry 2554 Dennis St. 45219 751-8771 St. Anthony Center 1615 Republic St. Advocacy Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 2401-2411 Reading Rd. 45202 2401 Reading Rd. 45202 241-2965 Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP Housing: 15 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 UpSpring 363-3300 Health Cincinnati Health Network 2825 Burnet Ave. 45219 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 215 E. 14th St. 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1223 Main St. 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton County Office of Reentry 946-4304 138 E. Court Street Room # 101 First Floor Cancer Justice Network 404-3882 Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center (11-17 y/o) 859-491-8303 ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 VA Domiciliary 859-572-6202 Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky 634 Scott St. 41011 859-291-4555 Want to advertise in Streetvibes? You can support our mission and spread the word about your business. For more information contact Gabriela Godinez Feregrino, 961-0600 email streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave. 45229 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 386-7899 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �16 N o v 213 - N o v 19, 2 02019 18 | N . 393 June - June 27, | oNo. 409 S treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BETTIE BAILEY SINCE 10/2017 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 BRIAN ADAMS SINCE 7/2017 CHARLES WILLIAMS SINCE 7/2017 CHRISTOPHER KAIHATSU SINCE 7/2017 CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DARREL ROZIER SINCE 7/2017 DAVID MCCANE SINCE 2017 ERIC VALDEZ SINCE 2/2017 GERALD FRANKLIN SINCE 7/2017 GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 HENRY BRELAND SINCE 7/2017 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2000 JENNY BURTON SINCE 7/2017 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 KIM NGUYEN SINCE 7/2017 KENNY BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MARK SHEARS SINCE 4/2012 MAURICE GOLSBY MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MIKE CARANO SINCE 4/2016 RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 1999 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 STACIA HOLLANDER SINCE 2017 STEPHANIE EAKES SINCE 7/2017 SYLVESTER WALKER SINCE 7/2017 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2011 VICTOR MUMPHRY WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 WINNIE RICE SINCE 7/2017 QUEENACELASTINE SINCE 7/2017 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 VIOLET COLLINS SINCE 2017 � 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 2019 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 June 13-June 27, 2019 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: Ohio and the LGBTQ Community Pg 3: Carelessly Linking Crime to Being Homeless Adds to the Harmful Stigma Pg 4: GCHC Pg 5: 50 Years After Stonewall Pg 6: LGBTQIA Rights in the Balkans Pg 7: “This Time is Real” Pg 8: No Pigs at Pride Pg 9: Stonewall 50 Years On Amplifying the Voices of LGBTQ Prisoners Pg 10: Black and Proud or Black and Loud? Numbers and Figures Pg 11: The Intersection of LGBTQ Students, and Music Pg 12: Street Voice Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 13-June 27, 2019 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gabriela Godinez Bill Woods Alison Young James Petty Kathleen Hinkel Mawethu Nkosana Aliza Saunder Dr. Mark Mussman Raya Quiver Watts Key Beck Clarity Amrein Maya Stockman Cleo Wombles June Alexander Willa D. Jones Kim Green Canva.com INSP.com Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alison Young Aliza Saunder Balkans Bill Woods Canva.com Clarity Amrein Cleo Wombles Dr. Mark Mussman Gabriela Godinez INSP.com James Petty June Alexander Kathleen Hinkel Key Beck Kim Green LGBTQ+ Mawethu Nkosana Maya Stockman Ohio Pride Pride Month Prisoners Quiver Watts Raya Stonewall Students Taiwan Willa D. Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/477d0b239ea517bc9d13ca8080efb294.pdf eb709cf4bd8b734e99ac185c57ca10c5 PDF Text Text Forced Out for the World Cup Page 3 Album Review Page 6 SOS Art Review Page 8 STREETVIBES $1 June 15-30, 2010 • Advocating Justice, Building Community • Issue 179 Sad Anniversary for the A - Bomb Anti-nuclear activists want it to retire By Jeremy Flannery Contributing Writer T Rebecca Riley of Think Outside The Bomb informs and entertains a gathering at Off The Avenue. Jon Hughes/Photopresse. Marvels and Money Mongers The editor is seen as a security risk By Gregory Flannery Editor I managed to fly more than 16,000 miles over the Pacific Ocean (one trip to, one fro) and spent most of a week in a coastal city without once seeing saltwater. The pilots insisted on flying above the clouds, and the annual conference of the International Network of Street Papers in Melbourne, Australia, was so busy that there was no time for sightseeing. (See “Tell me: Do You Want to Hold Me?,” issue of June 1-14.) That’s not to say the trip was without marvels. This is autumn in Australia; and each night at about 7 p.m., when darkness had fallen, See Marvels, P. 4 The editor is a lousy photographer so he submitted this drawing instead. Gregory Flannery. his summer is the 65th anniversary of the first and only use of atomic bombs in wartime. In 1945 the United States used atomic bombs to destroy the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Think Outside the Bomb is an organization commemorating the anniversaries through a national tour advocating the abolition of nuclear energy. “The bomb is turning 65 – it’s time to retire,” the group’s national tour organizer, Rebecca Riley, said during a June 2 meeting in Northside. Riley is traveling across the United States with a fellow member of Think Outside the Bomb and two Australian members of Footprints for Peace to campaign for the end of nuclear energy. Speaking at Off the Avenue, the four activists discussed the dangers of uranium mining and nuclear energy production in the United States and Australia. A graduate of the University of California, Riley said her alma mater has a direct relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration, a division of the Department of Energy that oversees the nuclear arsenal. The university receives funding from both government departments, conducting research for the production of nuclear energy, she said. “I learned I was a war profiteer, and I was enraged, so I decided to do something about it,” Riley said. President Obama signed a nuclear-reduction treaty with Russia on April 8, agreeing to cut both nations’ nuclear arsenals by about one-third. However, the Obama administration has allocated $180 billion over a 10-year period to expand nuclear-energy production. The funds will be used to expand nuclear-energy and weapons-production See A-Bomb, P. 4 �2 The Vibe By The Numbers 16,000 The number of families helped by the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (see page 11). 1.47 Jaime Garcia’s E.R.A in his first year as a starting pitcher in the major leagues (see page 7) 22 The number of years the Deftones have performed together (see page 6). 3/30 The date Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory told the Drop Inn Center to move (see page 13) 1 The number of police cars a visitor saw during a stay in Melbourne, Australia (see page 1). Half The maximum amount of a person’s income charged by homeless shelters in New York City (see page 12). 30 The number of disabled artists who participated in Black and White (see page 16) Twice The number of times the United States has dropped atomic bombs on foreign cities (see page 1). 26,000 The number of sex offenders re-classified by a law thrown out by the Ohio Supreme Court (see page 5) 2 The number of letters in which readers praise a Streetvibes vendor (see page 7). StreetWise By Gregory Flannery Editor Minimum Standards, Maximum Consequences People at street papers in other cities sometimes think I’m exaggerating when I tell them that Cincinnati City Council seems to hate homeless people. But the best proof is city council’s own behavior. Last week council took responsibility for minimum standards at homeless shelters away from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and transferred it to another organization. We’ll report on that issue in our next edition. Of immediate concern – immediate as in so important that the Homeless Coalition hopes to file a lawsuit and restraining order against the city as early as today – is a new rule for shelters that receive city funds. To wit: Shelters must have a policy to discourage panhandling, including “clear and consistent consequences to be enforced if a resident is known to be panhandling.” Curious language – all parental and orderly sounding. But what kind of “clear and consistent consequences” can shelters enact? Cutting meal rations? Taking away pillows? No, the implication is plain. “Kicking out homeless people is the only real consequence a shelter can enforce,” says Josh Spring, executive director of the Homeless Coalition. “This will cause more panhandling, because people who are kicked out won’t receive food and other services from homeless shelters.” STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by people who are or once were homeless, in exchange for a $1 donation, Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Address: 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513.421.7803 x 12 Fax: 513.421.7813 Email: streetvibes2@yahoo. com Website: www. cincihomeless.org Blog: streetvibes.wordpress. com Streetvibes Staff Editor Gregory Flannery This new regulation is the latest brainchild of City Councilman Jeff Berding, whose past proposals have included trying to collect taxes from the nickels and dimes given to panhandlers and making them wear signs saying how much the city spends to help homeless people. Now Berding wants homeless shelters to play panhandling police. In return, the city will face clear and consistent consequences – a visit with a federal judge. Art Director Lynne Ausman “The coalition is preparing a lawsuit against the city,” Spring says. “It’s in the midst of being written and we plan to file the first part of (this) week. This will allege that the policy constrains the First Amendment, jeopardizes the well-being of people who panhandle and jeopardizes the shelters’ ability to have funding to serve people.” Vendor Coordinator Jeni Jenkins Resisting the Spread of NNIMBY People in other cities also make life harder for homeless people. Real Change, one of the nation’s largest street papers, is facing opposition in Seattle from the Pioneer Square Community Association. Real Change recently moved its office to the Pioneer Square area. The community association says the new location violates zoning rules because the paper’s computer lab and classes for vendors make it a vocational program, which isn’t allowed in the area. But Rick Cohen, national correspondent for Nonprofit Quarterly, thinks what’s at play is a phenomenon he calls “NNIMBY – no nonprofits in my back yard.” “This isn’t a problem of zoning, it is a problem of a program serving homeless people moving into a shopping area trying to give itself an upscale, chic kind of image,” Cohen wrote. “The mayor turned a deaf ear to the association’s complaint that there were too many nonprofit service providers in the area. We hope that the hearing examiner gives a similar reception to the association’s desperate sounding zoning challenge.” Sound familiar? Cincinnati City Council has likewise decided there are too many non-profit organizations in Over-the-Rhine and enacted zoning rules to restrict them. A New Blog and a New Book Contributing Writers Michelle Dillingham, Samantha Groark, Margo Pierce, Paul Kopp, Jeremy Flannery, Michael Henson, David Heitfield, Corey Gibson, Jeni Jenkins, Saad Ghosn, Lew Moores, Larry Gross, Eli Braun, Jesse Call, Brendon McCartney, Michael Fanning Photography/Artwork Aimie Willhoite, Lynne Ausman, Anne Skove, Vinit Murthy, Jon Hughes Proofreaders Lynn Baker Jeremy Flannery The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati through coordination of services, public education, grassroots advocacy and Streetvibes. Not everything is so bleak, of course. The Drop Inn Center – which Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory wants to move elsewhere (see “District 9: Over-the-Rhine,” page 13) has a new blog. Visit dropinn.wordpress.com. Poet and teacher Michael Henson, a longtime columnist for Streetvibes, has a new book, The Dead Singing. “It is small, just 21 poems,” he says. “But I think it has some of my best work. … The title is from a line by the Japanese monk/ poet Ikkyu: ‘I listen to the dead singing underneath the grass.’ We are proud members of: To order a copy, visit finishinglinepress.com and click on “New Releases and forthcoming Titles.” “At 12 bucks, plus a buck for shipping, that comes to about 65 cents per poem,” Henson says. Graphics/Layout Intern Veronica Glass Garden at Drop Inn Center. Jon Hughes/Photopresse �STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 International News 3 Forced Out for the World Cup Games A poster for the World Cup in South Africa. By Amy Juschka Street News Service dreds of thousands of others displaced – could erupt after the World Cup. With its porous borders, its reputation as ohannesburg, South Africa – People Africa’s powerhouse and its close proximfeared it would happen in the run ity to the ailing Zimbabwe, South Africa is up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic a melting pot for other African immigrants, Games, but it’s happening today in cities both legal and illegal. But across South Afwith such a large numrica. With the 2010 Related to the ber of South Africans liv“Their presence violates FIFA World Cup forced removal of ing in poor and destitute looming, reports conditions, intolerance the city bylaws, and we homeless people is have surfaced that and contempt toward the arrest them. This is a the corresponding homeless people country’s foreign nation- campaign, among the normal police exercise, are being rounded als, who are often consid- South African media but we have intensified up and forcibly reered to be a drain on the our efforts because of and government moved before the country’s resources, is enthe World Cup. We have officials, to vilify eyes of the world demic. had a tough job with the and dehumanize Xenophobia is prevalent prostitutes – everyday they turn to look upon the homeless, in South Africa. among all levels of South are warned or arrested.” particular foreign Though the inAfrican society, from taxi - Edna Mamonyane, nationals, in the run medrivers to police to social- up to the World Cup. Johannesburg Metro Police ternational dia has picked up justice workers, and is on the story with rooted in legacies of colosome vigour, from what I’ve observed worknialism and apartheid. The street sweeps are ing in Johannesburg’s inner city, these street just one way the country’s institutionalized sweeps seem to be nothing out of the ordixenophobia is playing out, and it could have nary. drastic consequences for homeless people – Last August, as part of a campaign to tackwhether actual or perceived foreign nationle homelessness, the city’s human developals – once World Cup fans return home. ment department took to the streets In the weeks leading up to the Vanon a mission to stop people from givcouver Olympics, I was touched by ing money, food, clothes or blankets Xenophobia is prevalent among all levels of the way community and social-justice to the 3,000 or so homeless people South African society, from taxi drivers to groups united to protest the provliving in Johannesburg’s inner city. ince’s Assistance to Shelter Act. As the police to social-justice workers, and is rooted “Their presence violates the city countdown to the World Cup comes to in legacies of colonialism and apartheid. The bylaws, and we arrest them,” Edna an end, I can only say that the lack of street sweeps are just one way the country’s Mamonyane, spokeswoman for the institutionalized xenophobia is playing out, and concern shown by local social-justice Johannesburg Metro Police, said at it could have drastic consequences for homeless groups and the general powerlessness of the homeless here in South Africa the time. “This is a normal police expeople – whether actual or perceived foreign have been genuinely troubling. ercise, but we have intensified our nationals – once World Cup fans return home. We can only wait to see what the efforts because of the World Cup. We World Cup and the weeks after will have had a tough job with the prostitutes – everyday they are warned or arrest- homeless population is made up of foreign bring. Amy Juschka is former managing editor of ed.” nationals from other African countries, and Reports claim that here in Johannesburg there have been mounting concerns among Canadian street paper Megaphone. Originalmore than 800 people have been removed the city’s non-governmental organizations ly published by Megaphone. © www. streetfrom the inner-city area surrounding Ellis that xenophobic violence – like that in May newsservice.org. Park, where seven games, including a quar- 2008, when 62 people were killed and hun- J ter-final, are to be held. The campaign to remove homeless people from the public eye is defended by officials as being in line with the city’s bylaws, which prohibit begging at intersections, as well as sleeping in streets, parks or any other public space. Related to the forced removal of homeless people is the corresponding campaign, among the South African media and government officials, to vilify and dehumanize the homeless, in particular foreign nationals, in the run up to the World Cup. Carte Blanche, a popular South African investigative television series, recently aired an exposé alleging that homeless women are renting babies for R20 per day (about $2.60 USD) in order to earn more money begging at intersections. On any given day, an estimated 300 mothers – many of them Zimbabwean – stand with their children at intersections across Johannesburg, begging from passing motorists. The exposé, like a number of other stories negatively portraying the homeless, serves to legitimize the street sweeps and placate any concerns ordinary South Africans might feel for the homeless. Significantly, much of Johannesburg’s If you like what you read, but don’t live in the Cincinnati area, you can subscribe to Streetvibes. Call us at 513-421-7803 x 12 to learn more about subscribing to Streetvibes. �4 STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Local News Sad Anniversary for the A - Bomb Continued from page 1 Inuit tribes, joined Think Outside the Bomb when she visited New York City for a May 2 rally calling facilities in Kansas City, Mo.; Oak Ridge, Tenn.; for the abolition of nuclear weapons. She particiand Los Alamos, N.M., according to Riley. pated in a walk from the Y12 Nuclear Facility in The Obama administration is saying it will Oak Ridge to Times Square in New York City (see reduce nuclear weapons but pre“Walking to End the Nuclear Perparing to expand the capacity to il,” issue of Feb. 15-28). Along the way she witnessed mountaintopdevelop more, she said. The faciliThe Obama removal coal mining in Eastern ties should be recalibrated toward administration has cleaning existing nuclear waste allocated $180 billion Kentucky. The devastation to the and developing reusable sources over a 10-year period region’s environment is similar to the loss of Humphreys Peak, north of energy, she said. Because govto expand nuclearof Flagstaff, Ariz. Humphreys Peak ernments might not abide by the energy production. treaties to reduce nuclear weap- The funds will be used – part of a mountain range considered sacred by 13 indigenous ons, it is up to people opposed to to expand nuclearsuch weapons to demand they do energy and weapons- tribes – is now home to the Ariso, Riley said. production facilities in zona Snowbowl ski resort, Bahee “We’re continuing with our Kansas City, Mo.; Oak said. Kerrieann Garlick, a member of grassroots disarmament because Ridge, Tenn.; and Los Footprints for Peace from Perth, that’s the only thing that works,” Alamos, N.M. Australia, is traversing the United she said. States again after participating in Riley said insurance companies should be required to cover illnesses such as lung the walk from Oak Ridge to New York. Garlick cancer contracted by people working around ra- said water from the Great Artesian Basin in Cendioactive material at the three production facili- tral Australia is being depleted to keep residual radioactive dust from uranium mining wet in orties and at uranium mines. Rhianna Bahee, a member of the Navajo and der to keep it from blowing across the continent. Seven million gallons of water is being extracted from the basin per day to keep the radioactive dust in place, she said. “If we are going to stop the weapons, then we need to stop the mining of uranium altogether,” Garlick said. Marcus Atkinson, who is also a member of Footprints for Peace from Australia, said 200 tons of yellow-cake uranium is required to generate electricity from a nuclear power plant. Mining uranium in Australia requires destroying 135,000 tons of ore, he said. Radioactive dust that escaped dampening has stretched as far as New Zealand, according to Atkinson. Australia now allows the injection of sulfuric acid to burn away soil and suck out uranium ore – a method banned by most industrialized nations, he said. Australia contains 35 percent of the world’s uranium reserves. “So Australia is like the Saudi Arabia of uranium,” Atkinson said. The nuclear abolition tour ends July 30 at San Ildefonso Pueblo just outside Los Alamos, – the birthplace of the atomic bomb. Think Outside the Bomb and other groups are planning nonviolent civil disobedience there August 1-9, Riley said. Marvels and Money Mongers Continued from page 1 standing in front of the Atlantis Hotel, I could see a faint beam of light in the distance, reaching skyward between buildings near what I believed was the ocean. Slowly, first one and then two and then a flock of flying creatures soared into the light. I surmised that the light attracted insects, which attracted the flying creatures, whose twinkling attracted my attention. I thought they were bats. Another delegate thought swallows. Another thought seagulls. The one Australian I asked said, “I don’t know,” then walked away. I had the sense that this delegate hadn’t taken a liking to me. It might have been because I had told him I couldn’t face another 30 hours on airplanes to get home and was resolved to stow away aboard a cruise ship. He didn’t realize I was joking; and when I told him so, he seemed miffed. Free teeth I didn’t make jokes in the airport in Auckland, New Zealand. I don’t make jokes around airport personnel, especially in airports that I didn’t know I was going to visit. I might, however, have asked too many questions: “Why are we stopping here? How long will we be here? Am I allowed to leave the airport?” Asking too many questions would explain my being pulled aside for extra screening – the repeated passing of a metal wand about my person, the swabbing to test for explosives residue, being questioned about my itinerary. But get this. The Auckland Airport has a patio for smokers. This is only a small step down from the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky International Airport, whose name is too long but which has an air-conditioned lounge for smokers, with comfy couches and free WiFi. By contrast, wireless Internet service at the Auckland Airport cost $20 NZ for an hour. Cigarettes there cost $12 NZ a pack. They came with a photo of a diseased human heart. Warning: These prices could cause a heart attack. The prices in Melbourne were even higher – more than $13 AUS a pack. I was warned of an “instant $400 fine” for throwing cigarette butts on the sidewalk, so I didn’t. In Melbourne, a city of almost 4 million people, I saw one police car. I met one panhandler. I bought one breakfast – two eggs, a muffin and coffee – for $16 AUS. Breakfast at the hotel featured scrambled eggs and baked beans. The Melbourne street paper, Big Issue Australia, hosted a dinner for delegates. There I met Peter, a vendor who described his sales pitch. “I don't tell people, ‘Help the homeless.’ I tell them, ‘Home the helpless,’ ” he said. He reminded me of a Streetvibes vendor who uses humor to sell papers. Once a dentist bought a paper from Peter and said, “I see you don’t have any teeth.” Peter said he replied, “I could have told you that.” The dentist then offered Peter a free set of dentures. That is the kind of marvel one sometimes hears from vendors who sell street papers. I exchanged currency in three countries and was impressed by the professionalism of the money mongers. Each one told me that my proposed transaction wasn't in my best interest. That didn't stop me, but I Before the rising of the fairies. Gregory Flannery. was glad to see that they took the profit only after informing me of my ignorance. The Illuminati are here In Auckland I agreed to take a seat in the aisle of an emergency exit, which I would be obligated to help open if necessary. I told the airline agent that I don’t hear well. He said, “Can you hear me all right?” I said yes. He gave me a ticket for a seat in the aisle of an emergency exit, which told me that safety is a matter of regulation, rather than reality, on airlines. En route from Auckland to Melbourne, I was stopped just short of the rest room by an attendant – seated, with his safety belt buckled – who said, “Sir, return to your seat immediately and fasten your seat belt.” I hadn’t heard the announcement about turbulence. Melbourne seems a city on the move. It has two streetcar lines, one free. Within a block of the hotel were Liquorland Express and Hardware Express, enabling visitors to get a quick drink and a quick screw. This sign was on several shops: “Parm, Chips and a Pot,” followed by a price. Chicken Parmigiana, French fries and a pot of beer. One evening I dined with delegates from Slovenia, South Korea, Japan, France, Burundi and the Philippines. One evening a woman told me, “There are too many Asians in Australia.” She also told me that an owl sculpture in front of a bank was a sign of the Illuminati, who control the world. “That’s their cheeky way of telling us they’re there,” she said. I marveled at her use of three homonyms in a single sentence. I didn’t ask if there are too many Asians in the Illuminati. I think it was mercy, not the Illuminati, that accounts for the “amnesty bin” just outside the landing gate in Auckland – a last chance to throw away evidence before encountering airport security. Mercy as policy. Imagine. �STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Issues 5 Sex Offender Law Unconstitutional Ohio Supreme Court rejects retroactivity and fear By Eli Braun Contributing Writer T he Ohio Supreme has struck down an Ohio law that increased the reporting requirements for thousands of Ohioans convicted of sex offenses. The court’s June 3 decision spawned a wave of fear-mongering. “Court ruling means sex offenders could be checking in less often,” blared 10TV News in Columbus, beside an image of a darkened silhouette in front of a “DO NOT CROSS” police line. Christian Bodyke of Huron County, Ohio, is one of those sex offenders. In 1999, a judge assessed his social history and risk of recidivism and deemed Bodyke to be a low risk offender. He was required to register with the sheriff in his home county each year for 10 years. The sheriff was not required to notify Bodyke’s neighbors. Then on Jan. 1, 2008 the Ohio Adam Walsh Act took effect. It tossed out judges’ assessments of risk. Instead, requirements for registration by sex offenders were set based solely on the name of Ohio Supreme Court. the offense. Moreover, the Ohio Attorney General would determine registration requirements for all sex offenders, even those who had been previ- law for certain offenders who had been sentenced before Jan. 1, 2008.” ously assessed by judges. While the classifications and registration duties of 26,000 sex offendWhile the classifications ers will revert to what they were before that date, those who were con‘It’s common sense’ victed on or after that date were unaffected by the ruling. Their classifiand registration duties of cation will still be set according to the name of their offense, instead of 26,000 sex offenders will Bodyke had faithfully complied with his re- by a judge who considers their risk of re-offending. revert to what they were porting requirements and had only a couple before that date, when Victims back ruling the law took effect, those years to go when the attorney general reclassiwho were convicted on fied him from the lowest-risk classification to the highest-risk classification. “Justices Give 26,000 Ohio Sex Offenders a Break,” announced the or after that date were He would have to register every 90 days for Columbus Dispatch in reporting the decision. unaffected by the ruling. In fact, the ruling gives the whole community a break. The Ohio Their classification will the rest of his life, not just in his county of residence, but any county where he worked or vis- Adam Walsh Act authorized classifications without assessing an indistill be set according ited for longer than three days. His neighbors vidual’s risk of re-offense. The flood of “over-classified” individuals burto the name of their received postcards with his personal informa- dens county sheriffs, who are required to monitor these individuals. offense, instead of by tion, warning that a “sexual predator” lived The Cincinnati Enquirer, considered politically conservative, has a judge who considers advocated a more sensible approach. In a 2008 editorial, the Enquirer their risk of re-offending. nearby. Bodyke was one of thousands of low-risk of- called reclassifying low-risk offenders “absurdly unfair” and wrote that fenders re-classified as high-risk. the law was “bound to do far more harm than good and actually could To comply with federal rules, the law also changed the three primary be a step backward in protecting the public.” levels of risk from sexually oriented offender, habitual sexual offender Instead of concentrating on high-risk individuals, it argued, county and sexual predator to Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. sheriffs would have to expend limited resources keeping tabs on lowThe law also extended the amount of time someone must remain on risk offenders. the registry. An offender at the lowest risk would have to register for 15 “Re-classifying [offenders] upward also requires sheriffs to issue years instead of 10, and an offender at the intermediate risk would have more notifications about offenders' whereabouts, adding administrato register for 25 years instead of 20. Those deemed highest-risk were tive burdens with little payoff in public safety,” the editorial said. already registering for life. Thus even those who were not reclassified “That’s a huge amount of manpower for the sheriff,” Slagle says. faced longer terms on the registry. “Many sheriffs freely admitted that it’s a waste. They want to concen“Many of our clients were on the verge of suicide when they realized trate on people who are higher risk, but those tiers are now swamped that, as a result of the law, they would have to endure a lifetime of regis- with low-risk former offenders.” tration duties, which means a lifetime of being stigmatized,” says MarMany believe sex-offender registries are a public-safety tool, one gie Slagle, an attorney with the Ohio Justice & Policy Center (OJPC). that “provide[s] families with the information they need to keep their Slagle and OJPC, based in Cincinnati, collaborated with the Ohio children safe,” as Attorney General Cordray stated. But diluting sex-offender registries with the names of reclassified, Public Defender and the Ohio Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to build the case, write the briefs and prepare for oral arguments low-risk offenders thwarts that public-safety purpose. To that end, the in the case before the Supreme Court, State v. Bodyke, et al. National Alliance to End Sexual Violence and victims’ advocacy organi(Disclosure: This reporter works for OJPC.) zations in California, Iowa and Texas together submitted a brief urging Some 26,000 people – approximately 85 percent of the 30,750 con- the Ohio Supreme Court to find the law unconstitutional. “(T)hese changes put law enforcement agencies, already in budgetvicted sex offenders in Ohio – were reclassified as a result of the Ohio Adam Walsh Act. The question before the Supreme Court was whether ary crises, in the position of spending precious dollars on monitoring low risk individuals with a limited impact on public safety,” said the the law could apply retroactively. The court ruled 5 to 1 that it could not. The court determined that brief by victims’ advocates. “More onerous sex-offender registration the legislature’s action to reclassify sex offenders was unconstitutional and community-notification laws threaten to harm the very people because it overturned the final decisions of a trial court, thus violating they are intended to protect and to undermine goals of community safety and treatment of offenders.” the separation-of-powers doctrine. Ohio’s Adam Walsh Act, they concluded, is “not based on empirical “The reclassification scheme … interferes with the judicial power by requiring the reopening of final judgments,” wrote Justice Maureen evidence or proven research, but on fear and misinformation.” While basing its ruling on the separation-of-powers doctrine, the O’Connor in the majority opinion. “It is well settled that a legislature Court also seemed to recognize that it makes little sense to classify sex cannot enact laws that revisit a final judgment.” “It’s common sense,” Slagle says. “If someone hits your car and the offenders without performing an assessment first. Because of Ohio’s Adam Walsh Act, Justice O’Connor wrote, “The tritrial court awards you $5,000, you don’t want the legislature a year later al court is stripped of any power to engage in independent fact-finding altering that ruling.” Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray released a statement calling to determine an offender’s likelihood of recidivism. Expert testimony is no longer presented; the offender’s criminal and social history are no the decision “narrowly tailored.” “The broad provisions of Ohio's Adam Walsh Act remain in place,” he longer relevant.” One might add: Sex offender registries are no longer as meaningful. said. “(The decision) reinstated the classifications and community notification and registration orders imposed by judges under prior state �6 Music Review STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 ‘Infinite Arms’ and ‘Diamond Eyes’ Recommendations for your new summertime jams By Paul Kopp Contributing Writer A s summer approaches, music fans will inevitably be looking for the new soundtrack to the season. Whether it’s the accompaniment to a road trip or a lounge by the pool, music always holds a firm place when people in the Midwest have more of a chance to get out. Here is an extended look at two new releases that might become the backdrop to your warm-weather memories. Band of Horses – ‘Infinite Arms’ On their third album and major label debut for Columbia Records, Band of Horses seems confused about the direction it is steering. Known for their pseudo-atmospheric, spaced out, nice-guy riff rock, they also seem comfortable adding new and different layers to their unique sound on this album. After all, it’s only natural for a horse to wander. Songs like “Compliments” and “Laredo” utilize the big guitar hooks the band is known for, but with a markedly different tone. The band relocated from Seattle to South Carolina within the past few years, and that might explain why the electric guitar sound on Infinite Arms is sometimes laced more with a bit of country twang, rather than the spaced-out sound they were initially known for. Aside from those songs and the straightforward rocker, “NW Apartment”, the rest of the album is mostly filled with delicately arranged acoustic pieces that, while not new territory for Band of Horses, definitely sound more carefully constructed. From the semi choral harmonies of “Evening Kitchen” to the lilting singsong strumming of the title track, the dynamics of the album are mostly dialed down. Ben Bridwell, the band’s de facto leader, swoons semi-confessional lyrics that are vague enough to not come off as trite. His strength as a vocalist is to take plain and seemingly simple lines and sing them in such a way as to make them sound the exact opposite: complex and completely heartfelt. Example from “Laredo”: “Oh my love, don’t you even know? Oh, my love, are you really gone?” Bridwell has said that the album is the first with a completely solidified lineup. Keyboardist Ryan Monroe, bassist Bill Reynolds and guitarist Tyler Ramsey, all touring members of the band, have officially joined the group and contributed songs and arrangements to the record. This change, along with the extended period of time they spent recording it (almost two years), might be the reason Infinite Arms sounds more polished and less explosive than their previous records. On first listen, it might seem less energetic; but after taking some time with the songs, it appears the band is learning how to explore more subtle methods of creating solid songs rather than going immediately for the throat with the big delay and effects-laden guitar parts and reverb-drenched vocals of the past. These songs seep into you like the water in a warm bath, rather than a midnight jump into the lake. Deftones – ‘Diamond Eyes’ At this point in their career the Deftones are the elder statesmen of their genre. Luckily for them, their genre doesn’t exist. They created their own, which is constantly changing. On Diamond Eyes the band continues to do what they do best: progress while staying consistent to the sound they have developed over six albums and 22 years as a band. They have said they wrote the album together in a rehearsal space over the period of a few months. This is quite the contrast from the process of their last two records, which, though still quite good, were constructed piece by piece in different studios over the period of years with the band on the verge of breaking up. The Deftones have never lacked creative energy, but on this album you can hear that the songs were written in a more organic and natural setting. This is mostly evident in the instrumentation and interplay between the band. As always, the guitars are heavy and tuned low, but rather than sounding like a wall of individual layered parts, it feels like guitarist Stephen Carpenter is playing each track in a live setting, and the same goes for rest of the band. Though Abe Cunningham’s drums don’t sound as big and aren’t mixed as carefully as in the past, his machine gun pace propels the band. Keyboardist Frank Delgado adds a nice gloss of synth-based texture that, though it may be difficult to discern, adds to the overall body of the album. One notable change is the absence of bassist Chi Cheng, who has been in a coma for more than a year after a car crash. Bassist Sergio Vega, who has subbed for Cheng in the past, fills in. Frontman Chino Moreno continues to write the visceral lyrics he is known for. He has said that he doesn’t like to write lyrics about his personal life, but rather string together a series of images that don’t necessarily tell a story but instead evoke abstract imagery. This approach is one of the factors that have kept the Deftones relevant. The fact that their songs don’t get bogged down in any type of confessional minutiae gives them an element of mystery that is critically lacking in other bands of their stature. Though Moreno has contributed a number of less heavy, more melodic guitar parts to the band since 2001’s White Pony, it seems as if, aside from the dizzying sway/midnight beach meditation of “Sextape” and the sweeping delay pedal ring of “Beauty School,” he has taken a step back on this record. It is mostly dominated by Carpenter’s signature low end. Carpenter’s playing itself doesn’t necessarily lack melody; it embraces it. Coupled with the down-tuned, bludgeoning heaviness of his playing is his mastery of taking his massive guitar tones and putting them to use writing memorable songs like the towering stomp in the chorus of “976-Evil.” On “CMND/CTRL,” “Rocket Skates” and the title track, Carpenter keeps his shredder credibility intact, while on “You’ve Scene The Butcher” he subverts his monstrous tone through some kind of classic rock-style riffing. Because of the way Diamond Eyes was recorded, it might be seen as the band returning to its roots. This by no means indicates that they looked to recreate something they had done in past, however. Rather, they seem to have looked at the idea as a perfect way to start over again. As they always have. �STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Loving the Reds, Not Believing St. Louis is the best bet By B. Clifton Burke Contributing Writer W hen the Reds are winning, Cincinnati summers feel more golden. Something about it supercharges the city, helping to balance the frustrations that come with heavy humidity. Whatever it is, I enjoy it, and I hope it's here to last, but I'm afraid that isn't the case. As of June 7 the Reds were tied for first place with the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central Division. The season is but a young adolescent, displaying early trends that older seasons have proven to outgrow. If closely examined, the Reds are full of such trends; and as the season moves on, I expect them to at least slow down, if not end this success altogether. One of those unfortunate trends are the Cardinals themselves. They just win. Their one-two punch of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright make up arguably the best starting-pitching tandems in baseball. If those two stay healthy all year, that alone can win a team the division. If that weren't enough, they also have perhaps the best pitching coach in the majors in Dave Duncan. While aces like Carpenter and Wainwright don't need much coaching anymore, Duncan has helped average pitchers exceed their potential like no one else in the game. This year’s example of such a feat comes from 24-year old left-hander, Jaime Garcia, who is 5-2 with a 1.47 ERA in his first year as a starter in the major leagues. I suppose it’s also worth mentioning that the world’s greatest player, Albert Pujols, also resides in the Cardinals’ lineup and that he is practically guaranteed to end up with over 35 home runs this year (he has only missed that mark once in his 10-year career). St. Louis is a battletested group who has proven staying power in pennant races. The other trend that isn’t likely to last is the good starting pitching the Reds have enjoyed of late. The once club ace, Aaron Harang, has spent the past two and a half years wondering where his mojo went. In that time, he is 16-26 with an ERA above 4.50. The Harangutan is a modest 4-5 this year so far, but also has posted a 5.43 ERA in 12 starts. Johnny Cueto also joins the list of questionable starters in Cincinnati's rotation. Johnny is off to a hot start (5-1, 4.09 ERA) but has never demonstrated that he can pitch consistently effective throughout the course of a whole season. He had a tremendous month of May, only giving up six runs in five starts, but then hemorrhaged eight runs to St. Louis in his first start in June. Cueto will be key if the Reds are to make a push for October, but remaining consistent is the only way that can happen. Then there are the Reds hitters. One major bonus in the Reds lineup this season has been Scott Rolen. The veteran third-baseman, who was considered primarily a defensive upgrade, has produced well from the plate too this season, belting 14 home runs already. Last year a major knock on the Reds was their inability to produce runs, and Rolen hitting lots of home runs is by and large a pleasant surprise. Yet again, Rolen hasn’t hit more than 20 home runs in the past five years prior to this season, so it seems likely that his hitting production will inevitably decline. Rightfielder Jay Bruce is another wild card. When Bruce first came up two years ago, he scorched major-league pitching the first few weeks that he saw it, but then the National League started throwing him some junk and his numbers swiftly declined. Last year was immensely forgettable for the young phenom, hitting a measly .223 before breaking his arm. This year he is off to a better start at .266 but still struggles with strikeouts. There are other variables that are clicking now but might not be all season long. For any team, prolonged success is made up in large part due to players peaking at the same time, and the Reds have put themselves in a position to make that happen. Chances are, though – at the risk of sounding like Debbie Downer – things will fall apart for the Reds and the division will go St. Louis’ way. I love them; I just don’t believe in them. But we might still get the Wild Card. rested in Advert Inte isin gi Affordable Rates etvibes? tre nS 7 Local Sports Many sizes (full page, 1/2 page, 1/4 page, 1/8 page) Black & White and Color available Discounts for Nonprofits Contact Lynne at 513-421-7803 ext. 11 or lynneausman@cincihomeless.org for more information. Ask A Vendor My question is to a specific vendor. I don't know his name. He is an African-American male. Most mornings, he is selling Streetvibes in the median at Central Parkway and Vine, between the Gateway Garage and the Kroger Building. My question is simple: Can I help you? I am very impressed by you. You are out in that median almost every day. I admire your diligence. You are very friendly and polite. I would like to understand your circumstances and see if I could help you make them better. I have often thought that something that people who end up in difficult circumstances have in common is that they just lacked the support that everyone (I mean everyone) needs. I think I could be a good supporter. I could offer some financial support, but not a lot. But I think I could offer a lot of good advice. I'm middle-aged, have a professional career and think I'm pretty decent at figuring things out and finding solutions to problems. Name withheld at author’s request E-mail given to vendor ‘Cover to Cover’ To the Editor: I work in the Kroger Building downtown and I purchase your newspaper on a regular basis. I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I like the gentleman that stands on Central Parkway in between the Gateway Garage and the Kroger Building. I have passed him every morning on my way into work and just recently within the past couple of months started purchasing the newspaper. He is professional, well dressed, friendly with “Hello” every morning and not pushy with the paper. I was always curious about the paper; and if it weren’t for his demeanor, I probably would have never purchased one. I read it from cover to cover and have learned what your purpose is and will encourage my colleagues to support your cause. I look for this gentleman and look forward to his “Good morning,” “Hello,” “Have a nice day,” “Have a good weekend.” The one time I asked him a question about the paper, he was quick to answer and very knowledgeable about it. Needless to say, I am very impressed with this young man. I know that times are tough, and it is refreshing to see someone who is or has been down in their luck getting up every morning and working. I will continue to support your newspaper as long as it is available. Thank you. Linda Mager Cincinnati Have something on your mind? Want to comment on an article or vendor? Let us know: 117 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvibes2@yahoo.com STREETVIBES Only purchase Vendor Streetvibes from BADGED vendors. Vendors wear their WHITE badges while they sell the Mary paper. �8 Art Review STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 The Power of SOS Art is Engagement But a bit more order would help By Kathy Stockman Contributing Writer I n its eighth year, SOS Art is an event that invites artists of all ages, including poets and musicians, and the city to engage in a discussion about peace and justice. As an art historian whose scholarship focus has rested mostly in Latino art and critical race theory, I am always surprised to find that this discussion is not more prevalent in contemporary art. Few contemporary artists, especially those in Cincinnati, take on this topic, yet as by the wide participation and patronage of SOS Art and other local events has illustrated, sociopolitical debates remain strong and impassioned. The visual component of SOS Art, which ran May 28-June 6, included a non-juried show of two- and three-dimensional art open to local artists. As a non-juried show, the discussion of peace and justice is an open forum for all artists who wish to express themselves and to honestly and effectively participate in this dialogue. The result is a presentation of objects that vary in medium, artistic style and ability, subject and perspective. At times such a breadth of presentation overwhelmed this viewer. Moving from gallery to gallery throughout the two floors of the Art Academy of Cincinnati, which housed the exhibit, did not always invite the thoughtful The Ungrateful Traveler by Jeff Casto. Vinit Murthy. Sheri Besso created Full Deck, a commentary on “campaign madness.” Vinit Murthy. and perhaps even philosophical introspection these sociopolitical themes require. In one gallery, the viewer was met with national and local politics; the next topics included racism, feminism, homophobia; then the next was environmentalism. And sometimes all themes found a place on the same wall! Of course, all of these are integral parts to the overall discussion. However, a nonjuried show, I think, requires special care that will successfully move the dialogue throughout the different spaces. Without careful presentation, the exhibition risks presenting itself as a catalogue of newspaper headlines. As it is, the show rested perhaps too heavily on the literary and performance components of SOS Art for the needed dialogue. This is not to suggest that the point of the show and the themes were lost. The power of the artistic expression is certainly present in this diversity. Inviting all artists and visitors to engage in a sociopolitical dialogue is an invitation that should remain open. I believe artists and their art have a moral obligation to the community, and SOS Art provides a venue for artists to meet it. Yet I maintain that providing some kind of control or set parameters of a discussion leads to greater success. This becomes most obvious with the collaborative projects presented in the show. Homeless Teens is made up of digital designs created by Mark Wiesner’s ninth-grade students at Summit Country Day School. This collabora- Saad Ghosn and his woocut print, We Float, We Sink. Vinit Murthy. tive student work, with its obvious and narrowly set thematic parameters, packs a wonderfully powerful punch. Just as successful is the collaboration between students at Chatfield College, Northern Kentucky University and the residency program at Miami University’s Center for Community Engagement. This partnership resulted At times such in the now well-known discussion about the Jim a breadth of Tarbell mural in Over-thepresentation Rhine (see “Gigantic Insult? overwhelmed this Towering Tribute?,” issue of viewer. Moving Nov. 1-14, 2009). The piece from gallery to enjoys a continued success gallery throughout that rests, I think, on the inthe two floors of vitation to the viewer to par- the Art Academy of ticipate in the conversation. Cincinnati, which In light of the recent reac- housed the exhibit, tion to a couple of Shepherd did not always Fairey’s murals, we can see invite the thoughtful here an example of art – muand perhaps even ral, mixed media, sculpture, philosophical etc. – that engages through introspection these an open invitation to all to sociopolitical participate in a discussion. themes require. It is education – through art’s discussion that invites all to the conversation – that makes both Homeless Teens and the continuing discussion of the Tarbell mural successful efforts toward community engagement of sociopolitical issues. It is this open invitation – extended to diverse voices and eyes working to sharpen our dialogue, break our isolation, and strengthen our community – that is the fundamental principle of SOS Art. L-R, Broken Fence and Pain Faces by Kris Allen Courtney. Vinit Murthy. �STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Out in the Open 9 �10 Poetry Page STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 All Tattered and Torn By Lee Caldwell They say children are sent from heaven above to parents and homes to be nourished and loved. I desperately wonder, how can that be? A home filled with abuse is all that I see, Slapping and hitting, kicking, too, Arms pinched and bleeding, now turning blue. Father in Heaven, why couldn’t you see, why would this family want a child like me? I know you love me, my prayers answered true, and sometimes they’re not. A bath filled with water, but why so hot? Washington Park in winter. Aimee Willhoite. If Only By Bonnie Neumeier If only from this valley of Over-the-Rhine We might rise Knowing the toil of our hands Labored long and hard For what is here The powerful now want to dismiss and displace If only we trusted our sense of what is right And not resign or despair When we see it rearranged and torn apart With fangs foul with greed And a false sense of authority over our land If only we took back the streets Dancing with pride Opening them up declaring These are not dead end streets Our feet walk miles everyday To tender these streets with soft caring For our sisters and brothers If only we could save the ancient trees The catalpa, the linden, the oaks In Washington Park Shading us in hot summers Where we lay down to feel The ancestors buried deep rise up Through the tickling green grass If only we could strengthen our resolve To claim our right to low-income housing Make a mix that is equitable And praise the beauty of the common people That makes this place real, not plastic or phony With a modernity that reeks with “We know what’s best for you, our way or no way” If only we had time to push away Our woes, worries and pressures To be free enough to spend our days Planning our dreams Rather than lamenting our losses And had resources enough to make dreams happen. If only we could sing from our roof tops Rise and Shine Over-the-Rhine Our spirits will forever haunt this place We shall not be moved A home filled with laughter, a home filled with joy, often I dreamed as a wee small boy. I close my eyes and dream through the night a home full of love, it seems so right. To change their hearts and the anger within, please call me home and try it again. Send them a child, all perfect and right who makes no mistakes, from morning to night. Father in Heaven what must I do, so they will love me, the way I love you? Bless my parents both mom and dad, help me do better, and not be so bad. I offer this prayer while on bended knee, father dear father what’s this that I see? The bird on my window as white as a dove, the light shining thru and brighter above. Father in Heaven, can it be calling me home, are you calling me? Angels are singing, songs of your joy. I’m finally home, here’s your little lost boy. �STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Vendor Voice 11 The Life’s Moments with Luggage The ever changing rhythm of the street is the foremost companion of the street person. While the agony and misery are slated in due proportions, it is the variable by which survival is measured. The course is set and the undertaking is up to its participants. For the outsider it appears to be in disarray; however, for those who live this lifestyle, it’s essential for their survival. Knowing and understanding the rules as such is the only way to make it through the day. Your every move depends on a little know-how and abundance of wit. Without plans or preparation, the day begins with the shuffling that measures success. Hurrying to get to that place for a meal; or if you will, a shower. Constantly thinking ahead, hoping that you can make the timing that is most important for your daily routine. Everywhere you need to be, there is a line waiting for you; it goes with the territory. Stand around until it’s your turn, ears open to hear what your next move might be. In the life of the street, one has to see with their ears and hear with their eyes; otherwise you might miss in which direction you need to go in order to get what you need. Every decision is predicated on an immediate need. Shelter for the night, a meal, or shower and clothing are pertinent for your well being, so you have to be constantly searching for where, when and how. Staying in beat with the street, you have to follow the flow of those who share this lifestyle. Always mindful that each day is different, you have to review the schedule that you keep in your head, of where and when. It might be called life in the fast lane, only it’s actually slow. Ah! It’s always slow for the poor. Yet things cannot be measured by others’ ideas. The little that one is able to accumulate is worth its weight in gold; its importance is without compare. The mindset is one of “do or die.” You cannot miss one simple thing, whether it’s being on time for the soup kitchen or waiting your turn in line at the shower house. The simplest of things are so very important for your daily success. The baggage for this type of life is much more than a shoulder bag or an old beat-up suitcase with all your world inside. Now you have to think, “Who – or where – Without plans or can I go to get whatever it is I need?” A perceived preparation, the need, as most cases play out, what I thought would get me over the hump is something I reday begins with ally didn’t need. With more luggage than I can the shuffling that carry, I find myself looking for a place to unmeasures success. load some of my cargo, only to replace it Hurrying to get to that with more of the same. The consistency of place for a meal; or if having the need for so many unnecessary you will, a shower. things is beyond your understanding, yet there is that compulsion. Staying in your head, the mind set on getting whatever you can. Up and down the sidewalk, watching the movement of the street, staying in tune with the beat that makes your world move. “Ah, this is the life.” I say, “You made that up!” Now, let’s move up the sidewalk, a block or two. If you see it, you know how it sounds: the same as it looks. A reality that only those who live this way understand. A place where hope and help are misspelled with disappointment. The disappointment of life itself. No yesterdays, no tomorrows, just the moment. Yet one believes that relief is just around the corner or just a block or two away. The only rule is survival at any cost. “Ah, this is the life.” Note: I would like all our readers to engage our vendors on the challenge of questions. There is an ad in your Streetvibes that invites dialogue: “Go ahead: Ask a Vendor.” Please submit your questions. Busy Time for Housing Advocates Resisting 3CDC and blogging about the hurdles By Michelle Dillingham Contributing Writer If you are an affordable-housing advocate in this town, you are busy. In fact, it can get so busy that some tasks (read: fundraising) can get delayed, but I digress. Luckily, Cincinnati has an organization to help coordinate housing advocacy, the Affordable Housing Advocates (AHA). At the beginning of the year AHA set some goals. These included monitoring the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, pro- viding education on affordable housing and increasing affordable housing. In the past six months AHA has taken a number of actions: √ Co-hosted the Promoting Inclusion in Neighborhood Redevelopment and Housing Forum at City Hall along with the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission. The event brought out 80 participants and aired on CitiCable about 10 times. √ Offered recommendations for action to the City/County Fair Housing Advisory Board. √ Hosted a table at the Neighborhood Summit, offering education materials on affordable housing. √ Joined the Home Think Tank collaborative to increase housing advocacy for people with disabilities. √ Opposed the actions of the city and the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) related to the closing of the low-income Metropole Apartments and urged them to take action to ensure downtown remains an integrated, mixed income neighborhood. √ Made recommendations and testified on policies proposed in Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority’s annual plan. √ Launched social networking strategies to provide public education, including use of Facebook, Twitter and a blog. √ Created the Housing Preservation Committee, chaired by Kelan Craig of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio to discuss issues relative to the preservation of affordable housing, specific buildings of interest and strategies for preserving at-risk properties. √ Expressed deep concern on the proposal that the Drop Inn Center be moved from its current location, again resulting in a loss of diversity and the loss of a mixed-income neighborhood. √ Commented on the recent appointment of an interim executive director of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) who has no experience in housing and asked the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development to exercise its authority and take over the public-housing authority in order to protect the public investment and the more than 16,000 families who rely on CMHA for housing. Behind each of these efforts are AHA members who worked to ensure AHA stayed true to its mission: to further the creation, retention and accessibility of affordable housing in our community. Yet there is still so much to fight for. AHA will host its annual meeting at 4 p.m. June 22 at the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, presenting the report, “State of Affordable Housing in Hamilton County: The Crisis.” Want more Streetvibes? Check out the Streetvibes blog http://streetvibes.wordpress.com �12 STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Guest Column Gimme Shelter, But Not in New York Charging rent for the working homeless By Larry Gross Contributing Writer It isn’t politically correct to discriminate against gays or minorities. There are laws that protect these good people from it. When it comes to the homeless, there are good people here, too, but discrimination runs high. It’s hard to find much help or support for those living on the street. But there is some. Here in the Cincinnati area, there are organizations that do want to lend a hand to those who are down and out and homeless. There are some here who get it. We have, of course, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, the non-profit organization that publishes this newspaper you’re reading. There’s also the Drop Inn Center on West 12th Street, which offers shelter to those in need. So does the Brighton Center on East 20th Street in Covington. These and other agencies in Cincinnati have their hearts in the right place. But in New York, that heart doesn’t exist. That heart has turned cold. Starting this spring, New York Mayor Bloomberg and his administration are charging rent to homeless families who live in pub- licly run shelters if they have jobs. Basically, if you’re homeless in New York and trying to pull yourself up by your bootstraps for your family, in the “Big Apple,” you’re going to be charged for it. New York’s new policy is based on an old 1997 state law that wasn’t being enforced until now. The policy is murky. It isn’t clear as to how much homeless families should pay for shelter. The amount varies based on how many family members there are and how much money the homeless people are making. Maybe those homeless families should take comfort that this new heartless policy won’t exceed 50 percent of what they’re making. Taking away 50 percent in a place like New York seems to me like a lot of money. While this policy is badly conceived, it’s also being badly executed. Families are being told to pay up or get out – and it’s not just families who are being evicted. According to a recent New York Times report, a survivor of domestic violence was actually locked out of her room for nonpayment of rent. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty states that every year more than 3 million people experience homelessness. One-third of this homeless population is made up of families with parents not being able to provide a roof to put over the heads of their children. Those children now total over 1 million, with that number increasing every year. Perhaps someone in New York needs to remind Mayor Bloomberg of this fact. Maybe it would make a difference to him – children living on the street. Maybe it wouldn’t. If the American Dream is still alive in this country – and I’m not at all sure that it is – this policy in New York against the homeless, especially homeless families, needs to be eliminated and done away with. It’s counterproductive and increasingly separates the haves and have-nots in our society. While some in the Cincinnati community continue to look down on the homeless, we’re not charging them rent to live in shelters. We’re not punishing them while they try to pull themselves up. We’re not like those calling the shots in New York. Maybe New York and Mayor Bloomberg need to take a look at us here in Cincinnati. We, at least, still seem to have the ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. Some of us here can also remember a word New York apparently has forgotten. That word is “compassion” for fellow human beings. The Guinea Pig Nightmare Comic By Anne Skove �STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Guest Column District 9: Over-the-Rhine 13 A context for the city’s attack on Drop Inn Center By Thomas A. Dutton Contributing Writer “T hey made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never kept but one; they promised to take our land, and they took it.” (Oglala Chief Red Cloud). District 9, nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards in March, is now widely available at a movie gallery near you. Rent it, watch it and learn about Over-the-Rhine. More specifically, watch it in light of the most recent city-corporate effort to displace the Drop Inn Center from its home in that neighborhood. District 9 is not your normal alien movie. The typical question these movies pose is, what are they going to do to us? In District 9 the roles are reversed. The aliens in District 9 are metaphors – stand-ins for homeless people, people of color, immigrants, marginalized groups generally, what some have referred to as “surplus humanity” – and the question District 9 poses is, what are we going to do with them? Denigrated and vilified as “prawns,” the movie charts the brutal removal of the aliens from one part of Johannesburg to a new and “improved” facility out of sight of humanity, and thus its moral sensibilities. Evidently, the “prawns” in Over-theRhine have to move for the good of the whole; a revealing statement, actually – apparently homeless people are not considered part of the whole. On March 30, at a City Hall meeting called by Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, three board members of the Drop Inn Center were given their marching orders to make plans to relocate the Drop Inn Center because it “has got to go.” Accompanying the mayor were Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls, some city staff, members representing the Continuum of Care and CEO Steve Leeper, Adam Gelter and Joe Pichler representing the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC.) Though no agenda was provided, the intent of this meeting became all too clear. While cordial on the surface, just below it was anything but. Some accounts characterize the meeting as abrupt and disrespectful, both in tone and body language. It doesn’t take much to surmise why, because the question of why the DIC “must” move never was negotiated, nor was it going to be. The whole thrust was procedural, a matter of simply figuring out the logistical steps, with 3CDC offering its “help” in searching for new sites for a new facility. The Drop Inn Center needs to make no argument as to its home, at least not until the city-corporate types make theirs. And that should be something to behold. I wonder if they will be able to say what’s really on their minds. Many years ago I was approached by an unnamed city council member, whose 40-foot likeness now adorns a prominent entry point to Over-the-Rhine, urging me to convince the leaders of the Drop Inn Center to relocate. “Why does the Drop Inn Center have to move?” I asked. “Well, you know…” “Hmmm. No, I don’t. Can you explain?” “Well, it’s just not right.” “Not right? What do you mean?” I inquired. “Well, it’s just not a good fit.” “How is it not a good fit?” “Well, the Drop Inn Center just needs to move.” “Why?” I asked. I am still waiting for an answer. And it’s doubtful that an inquiring public will get one. The powers-that-be don’t want to have such a conversation, of course, and will do everything in their power to avoid one. This is precisely why the “conversation” that took place in City Hall was structured the way it was – as method and logistics. Some of this can be explained by recent trends in our national discourse. We Americans seem to deal with our most intractable problems by either turning a blind eye toward them or by shifting the terms of understanding so they magically disappear. “Global warming” downgrades to “climate change,” racism is solved through references to a supposed color-blindness or to a “post-racial” society, and massive inequality will be overcome by “free markets” and access to “equal opportunity.” Bogus. Let’s call this out for what it truly is. The discourse of the city-corporate alliance that is developing around the removal of the Drop Inn Center has a long, sordid history in the United States. It comes in many names: manifest destiny, social cleansing, ethnic cleansing, negro removal, gentrification, colonialism; and let’s add another, “econocide” (which I will explain shortly). Cincinnati is witnessing in Overthe-Rhine today a variant of colonialism in line with the history of this country as a settler state to marginalize, exterminate or remove the “undesirables” whose very presence hinders the (colonialist) project. In this sense gentrification (predicated on removing the Drop Inn Center) as a modern-day form of colonialism is nothing new, although characteristics might be different. It is certainly racist (“white middle class saviors”) in that it targets communities of color for removal or transfer or displacement. It is also classist in that ecoA resident enters the Drop Inn Center. Jon Hughes/Photopress. nomic policies are spun around spurring “homeownership” and market-rate development, all the while suggesting that the needs “Econocide is a worldwide tendency to arrange the of lower-income residents can be met by such eco- disappearance of the losers in the great drama of nomically exclusive approaches. And insofar as the globalization.” state appropriates gentrification and sanctions it as Imagine being the target of econocide, where the urban policy, racism and classism now become of- following is a daily experience in Over-the-Rhine: ficial state policy. • You are told that your very presence in your own This is the game plan for places like Over-thecommunity is disorderly, unwanted, unattractive, Rhine today. As the city favors a business climate displeasing, and that you are not a “good neighbased upon privatization and public/private partbor;” nerships, the flip side is that all benefits and awards • Your own history is retold in ways that edit you accrue to new gentrifiers by expelling all traces out; of the poor and homeless. This is not a situation • You are told that the use of force, backed by the where the byproduct of urban policy just happens police, prisons, surveillance and punitive social to negatively impact the poor. No, this is urban polpolicy and added to with a dash of free-market icy where the active defense of privilege and class fundamentalism, will solve all social problems; depends upon the denial and removal of the poor. • You’re told that deregulation for the mobility of This is urban policy with a vengeance. The tactics corporate capital, coupled with the regulation of are clear, whereby the city promotes an agenda to urban public space by punitive social policy and sanitize urban neighborhoods and links crime and police sweeps (what some refer to as the annihimilitaristic measures such as more jails, more polation of space by law), are precisely needed to lice and more punitive legislation into a seamless serve your interests; marriage. In this view, the root causes of crime are • You are told of the need for outside, corporate rarely addressed and where the prison of today is forces, with the city’s blessing and support, to just the latest incarnation of the same line of thinklead the charge in redeveloping your neighboring that produced the racial enclosures of slavery, hood because there is just too much fragmentaJim Crow, the ghetto and the Indian reservation. tion, and the successful organizations you have This is “econocide,” a term developed by theobuilt over the decades are deemed incapable. rist Arjun Appadurai in his poignant Fear of Small • And with regard to the specifics of the Drop Inn Numbers: An Essay on the Geography of Anger. ApCenter’s removal, again, imagine being on the repadurai’s concern is that violence is taking new ceiving end of a domestic neocolonialism steeped forms in the new era of “intense globalization,” of in econocide: which ethnic cleansing and culturally motivated • You are not approached in the spirit of mutual reviolence perpetrated on a large scale are two of the spect and reciprocity. There is no attempt to unmost pressing examples. For Appadurai, the extent derstand the complexities of the Drop Inn Center, and rapidity of globalization have produced fearful nor its successes. No, the approach is militaristic; conditions of anxiety and uncertainty, with one rethe city barks orders and 3CDC maps logistics for sponse being the mobilization of violence against how the Drop Inn Center is to move. How would minorities, immigrants, the poor, the homeless moving the Drop Inn Center serve the Drop Inn Center’s mission to end homelessness? Not only and the outcast as a kind of exorcism to produce does the Drop Inn Center own its land and have certainty and stability. Violence becomes a kind of a right to be there, moving it makes no sense in purification rite on the part of “majoritarian identities” to purge their fear of marginalized populations See District 9, P. 4 that are being written off and targeted for removal: �14 STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 Guest Column District 9: Over-the-Rhine The men’s step-up dorm at the Drop Inn Center was created as part of a shelter restructuring last year designed to improve services at the Drop Inn Center. Jon Hughes/Photopresse. Continued from page 13 solving the circumstances producing homelessness in Cincinnati. The Homeless to Homes report makes no mention of a move. What a waste of dollars to create a new facility when the money could be directed to permanent supportive affordable housing, for example, which is precisely what Homeless to Homes advocates. • You are presented with faux humanitarianism. I and others have already called this out to the public before in our “When Humanitarianism Goes Bad” (see either http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php?/contents/comments/ when_humanitarianism_goes_bad/ or http:// arts.muohio.edu/cce/papers/When%20Humanitarianism%20Goes%20Bad.pdf). And what concerned us then is raining down on us now – a new, high-bred rhetoric of concern and compassion for the homeless that masks true intentions, which is not to end homelessness, just move it elsewhere. I suspect the Drop Inn Center board is not fooled by this urban colonialism dressed up in a false generosity. • You are essentially lied to because the practices and the principles of 3CDC, or the city, are not in sync. Operating as individual entities or as a citycorporate alliance as is happening now, the track record in following through in safeguarding the interests of our most vulnerable citizens is inadequate. Actually, “safeguarding the interests of our most vulnerable citizens” is being way too nice. It feels more like a war. Through policy and willful action, the poor of the Queen city have been targeted time and again. Consider: • After a promise to replace all 100 or so units of housing units after the demolition of the Milner Hotel – torn down in 1994 to make room for upscale housing at a time the city was arguing for economically mixed communities – only 20 units were replaced at the time, and those no longer exist. • The city’s effort to kill ReSTOC’s Vine Street Community Project back in 2000. After officially backing the project, Mayor Charlie Luken pulled his support, encouraging city council to block the release of city-administered funds and requiring ReSTOC to sell one of its primary buildings in the development to a private developer. This was not the end of it, however, as the city forced ReSTOC to sell off more of its property and convert some rental units into owner-occupied units. • The Housing Impaction Ordinance of 2001, which forbids the “city of Cincinnati from spending, approving or in any way condoning more subsidized low-income development in those areas deemed impacted,” mistakes symptoms for causes by popularizing the misguided view that the concentration of low-income housing is the root problem in Over-the-Rhine. Not seen in this view are the larger, structural causes that include the disappearance of decent paying, lower-skilled jobs, suburbanization, declining wages, welfare reform and other rollbacks of state-sponsored services, poor education and lack of affordable health and child care, all of which disproportionately and severely impacted poorer populations. • The city’s decision to abolish its Planning Department in 2003, which signaled to all those many people and organizations who worked on the Over-the-Rhine Comprehensive Plan (2002) that the Plan itself was essentially shelf material, effectively walking away from responsibilities outlined in the Plan to safeguard economic mix. • The city didn’t just pass one anti-panhandling ordinance, but two. Now a person cannot lie or use profanity or ask for change more than once, even though governments shall make no law…abridging freedom of speech. • The emptying of 1316 Race St. of 33 tenants who were displaced by the owner as a condition of sale to 3CDC. These residents were pressured with 30 days’ notice to vacate the premises. As this happened in November 2006, many residents had to find refuge from the approaching winter cold. • The city’s attempt through the Zoning Text Amendments to restrict and remove social services from Over-the-Rhine in the name of deconcentrating social services. • 3CDC’s word to keep basketball courts in a redesigned Washington Park has no value as the courts have been dropped from the program. It appears this was a unilateral decision made by 3CDC, and the message this sends to AfricanAmerican teenagers is loud and clear: You are not wanted. • 3CDC’s statement about the importance of having “a deep-water pool south of Liberty in Overthe-Rhine” (because the existing one in Washington Park will be eliminated) seems to hold no water. It appears there are no plans to renovate Ziegler Park’s shallow pool into a deep-water one anytime soon. • 3CDC’s claim that, as a rule, they don’t displace people from their homes is contradicted by their action with the residents of the Metropole Apartments downtown. 3CDC can’t even relocate them in their own downtown neighborhood. The contradictions in these examples –and there are many more – are striking on their face. The professed sincerity for the homeless and our least empowered citizens is contradicted outright by citycorporate practices. The 37-year history of the Drop Inn Center deserves respect, gratitude and acknowledgement for the experience and wisdom its gained in operating with strong ties to community organizations, both in and outside homeless-care provision. The Drop Inn Center is much, much more than a “shelter.” It is a community-based organization woven into the fabric of Over-the-Rhine with strong ties with many neighborhood organizations. Its graduates have gone on to establish new neighborhood institutions and even national reputations (think of Jimmy Heath, Donald Whitehead, Jimmy Render, Joe Beene and Mike Rogers, for starters). Over its long history, it has not only raised awareness in the city about the circumstances and need for shelter, but it continues to argue for a different societal future where homelessness is eradicated and not just moved to a new District 9, out of sight and out of mind. I suspect this piece will not be well received by the likes of 3CDC and the city. And I fully expect that these entities will act in the retaliatory fashion typical of bullies, which is precisely how they are operating now. I would not be surprised if they try to restrict rightful monies from reaching the Drop Inn Center. I would like to be wrong here. No one appreciates arrogance and paternalism. Patronizing the Drop Inn Center, I fear, is the first step in ignoring it altogether. The challenge is to construct a society full of real humanitarianism, building upon what the Drop Inn Center enacts everyday. It is a place of compassion, of empathy, of healing. It is a place that can restore Cincinnati’s humanity. Apparently the city and its agents can learn something from the Drop Inn Center. Thomas A. Dutton is director of the Miami University Center for Community Engagement in Overthe-Rhine. �STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 15 Resources Need Help or Want to Help? Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Cincinnati Union Bethel St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside 535-2719 591-2246 381-SAFE 768-6907 FreeStore/FoodBank 557-2873 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 St. Vincent de Paul 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Salvation Army 762-5660 562-8841 872-9259 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van McMicken Dental Clinic 357-4602 352-2902 352-6363 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Mental Health Access Point Mercy Franciscan at St. John 558-8888 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Crossroad Health Center 458-6670 977-4489 Treatment: Men Other Resources Shelter: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 921-1613 Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center 961-2256 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Prospect House Justice Watch 241-0490 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Starting Over 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 661-4620 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Anthony House (Youth) 961-4080 Treatment: Both 761-1480 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center (Youth) 471-1100 221-3350 3330 Jefferson, Cinti, Ohio 45220 Housing: CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-4555 751-0643 381-1954 421-5211 Food/Clothing Lord’s Pantry OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 621-5300 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 351-0422 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 621-6364 771-4800 751-0600 721-4811 241-2965 People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place United Way Women Helping Women Off The Streets 351-7921 631-1114 211 977-5541 421-5211 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Hamilton County ADAS Board Recovery Health Access Center Sober Living Talbert House 946-4888 281-7422 681-0324 641-4300 Hamilton/Middletown 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Northern Kentucky Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House Dana Transitional Bridge Services Volunteers of America Anna Louise Inn Our Daily Bread AA Hotline CCAT Joseph House (Veterans) 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Mary Magdalen House 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 2728 Glendora Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45209 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 First Step Home Shelter: Both 621-5514 214 E. 14th St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Treatment: Women 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Mt. Airy Shelter 241-2600 241-2563 St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Brighton Center 863-3184 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 799 Ann St. Newport, KY Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS 579-8547 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 Health ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 Go Ahead: Ask a Vendor Invitation to a dialogue with our readers Streetvibes vendors see a lot that you might not. For example, some can describe what goes on in an abandoned building at night when they sleep there. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stand on a street corner selling newspapers? That’s hardly a common occupation anymore. How much money do Streetvibes vendors make – and what do they do with it? Do they have other jobs? Become a Fan of Streetvibes on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/streetvibescincinnati If you have questions, some of our vendors would like to answer them. “Go Ahead: Ask a Vendor” will be an occasional feature, with questions submitted by readers and answered by Streetvibes vendors. You may direct your question to a specific vendor or we’ll invite one to respond. Only include your name if you want to. Send questions to streetvibes2@yahoo.com Or to Streetvibes, 117 E. 12th St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Go ahead. Ask. Missed an Issue? Check out the Streetvibes archive at www.cincihomeless.org/content/streetvibes �16 Artists as Activists STREETVIBES June 15 - 30, 2010 The Interplay of Fear, Love, Light Gena Grunenberg re-creates the world “E arly on I realized that art was the only thing I needed to maintain sense of myself – also to make sense of the world,” says Gena Grunenberg. Grunenberg is a Cincinnati artist who as a child constantly drew and painted. In fourth grade she won an award for best drawing in her school. Her talent was recognized and encouraged by her mother, also a painter, and by her art teachers. After high school Grunenberg studied graphic arts, switching later to fine arts. Graphic arts did not satisfy her, the emphasis placed principally on how to create a sellable product, successfully advertise and manipulate the masses. This was at a time when other planetary and personal concerns were preoccupying her and that she felt she needed to express. The world was a frightening place to be, the Cold War going on, nuclear threats imminent, global warming pointing, the AIDS epidemic emerging; and she was directly dealing with issues of violence, peace at home often disrupted by an alcoholic father, abuse frequently encountered in her workplace. Grunenberg decided to independently study drawing and painting and enrolled under art teacher and artist Hugo Valerio. At the same time she learned various techniques, including pottery, silkscreen, jewelry and stone setting. Her aim was to develop good skills and draftsmanship to use to address the many issues she was facing. “I was witnessing corporations mistreating their workers, battering of the environment, racism, war, ethnic and individual violence. I wanted to use my art as a message,” she says. For few years, however, Grunenberg did not paint or draw, afraid to confront the problems she was encountering, but which were simmering inside her. This changed when she was asked to paint a pig as for the Big Pig Gig event organized by Artworks. She was then living with By Saad Ghosn a man who was controlContributing Writer ling and physically abusive; he did not want her to partake in the project. Determined, she fought him back and completed a pig on the theme of pollution. This gave her the courage to assert herself and move forward. Soon after she left the abusive relationship and started a whole body of work addressing the issues that have affected her until then. Domestic violence and violence in general became prominent topics in her work. Every Woman, an acrylic painting she did at the time, is about all women. The painting depicts them as parents, as abused and oppressed, carrying their burden into their old age, but also healing thanks to their inner power. Ice Tree addresses the plight of global warming and the insult large oil companies inflict on nature; it contrasts an oil can with a tiny sprig of hope growing next to it. “There is a progression in the violence that starts at home, within the individual, within families, then permeates society and spreads like a web,” Grunenberg says. “It becomes like a spiritual disease manifested in hatred, bigotry, disregard to others, rampant abuses by our capitalistic system, wars, global environmental destruction. … I want to un- A rtists ctivists The Thinker, acrylic painting by Gena Grunenberg. Bill Howes. Gena Grunenberg stands in front of a collection of her puppets. Bill Howes. derstand its causes and address them in my work in order to create awareness, make a difference, render the world a better place.” A couple years ago Grunenberg started building puppets to tackle and personalize the same concerns. Her puppet Fear deals with the prevalent sense of anxiety and fearful living conditions one increasingly experiences in violent modern society. She wants it, however, balanced by a counterpart, Love, that she is currently creating and would like to see take over. Another area of interest is metaphysics and “I want to understand the science of light. Researching the field, Grunenberg discovered that what scientists its causes and address believed and postulated ended up for the most them in my work part being true. Extrapolating to the world of in order to create art, she concluded that, by molding a world acawareness, make a cording to what the artist thinks and believes, difference, render the and by expressing it, the artist renders it real world a better place.” and transmits it to others. The work of art thus - Gena Grunenberg becomes an empowering part of the creation and an important vehicle for change. She emphasizes, however, in In the Beginning, that to effect this change it was important to be honest and truthful. The painting illustrates the need to remove the mask that conceals one’s identity and obliterates one’s true potential. Grunenberg also did a series commentary on the ambivalent duality of individuals, holy through their spirit, full of deficits by their human nature. In The Thinker, they are represented like pawns, fixed and paralyzed, full of holes; they are lonely even when in couples. They are connected by a smoke ribbon emanating from a passing train and ending at a skeleton thinker, alone, isolated and immobile despite having legs and arms. Grunenberg meant the thinker as a reminder to every artist to go beyond the apparent limitations and be the connecter, the transformer, the infuser of life. That’s what she would like her art to do. Three years ago Grunenberg joined Visionaries and Voices, an art studio for people with disabilities; initially the studio coordinator, she is now the exhibit coordinator and curator. She helps the disabled artists grow, develop and assert themselves through their art. Listening to them discuss politics, religion and events that have affected their lives – such as prejudice, racism, abuse, rape – she challenged them to express their feelings through their work, make a statement and share it with others in an exhibition she titled Black and White. More than 30 participated side by side with invited artists; their voices found echo in each others’, resonated, became amplified and multiplied. The show was moving, a visual unfolding of the timeline of ills and violence in our society. “I want to be an activist with my own art,” says Grunenberg, “and also get other people involved. We need to fight isolation and fear and affirm ourselves. Art has a healing and spiritual power; it gives strength and courage. It helped me making tough decisions; I want to use it now to help and empower others – like for the scientists, it can help us create the world we dream of; it can make it real.” Artists as Activists is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati artists who use art as a vehicle for change. Saad Ghosn is the founder of SOS Art. Ghosn can be contacted at saad.ghosn@uc.edu. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2010 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 June 15-30, 2010 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Sad Anniversary for the A-Bomb Marvels and Money Mongers Pg 2: Street Wise Pg 3: Forced Out for the World Cup Gamers Pg 4: Sad Anniversary for the A-Bomb Continued Marvels and Money Mongers Continued Pg 5: Sex Offender Law Unconstitutional Pg 6: ‘Infinite Arms’ and ‘Diamond Eyes’ Pg 7: Loving the Reds, Not Believing Pg 8: The Power of SOS Art is Engagement Pg 9: Out on the Open Pg 10: Arts & Poetry Pg 11: The Life’s Moments with Luggage Busy Time for Housing Advocates Pg 12: Gimme Shelter, But Not in New York Pg 13: District 9: Over-the-Rhine Pg 14: District 9: Over-the-Rhine Continued Pg 15: Resources Pg 16: The Interplay of Fear, Love, Light 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 June 15-30, 2010 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gregory Flannery Lynne Ausman Veronica Glass Jeni Jenkins Michelle Dillingham Samantha Groark Margo Pierce Paul Kopp Jeremy Flannery Michael Henson David Heitfield Corey Gibson Saad Ghosn Lew Moores Larry Gross Eli Braun Jesse Call Brendon McCartney Michael Fanning Aimie Willhoite Anne Skove Vinit Murthy Jon Hughes Lynn Baker Jeremy Flannery Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF 3CDC Activists Aimie Willhoite Anne Skove Arts & Poetry Brendon McCartney Corey Gibson David Heitfield District 9 Drop Inn Center Eli Braun Gena Grunenberg Gregory Flannery Jeni Jenkins Jeremy Flannery Jesse Call Jon Hughes Larry Gross Lew Moores Lynn Baker Lynne Ausman Margo Pierce Michael Fanning Michael Henson Michelle Dillingham New York Ohio Supreme Court Over-the-Rhine Paul Kopp Reds Saad Ghosn Samantha Groark Sex Offender Law St. Louis Veronica Glass Vinit Murthy World Cup https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/3b617a41506cb916682d17a8be46c4f8.pdf e1ce18971934e19644ea0bc0440fe379 PDF Text Text June 15th - June 28th 2018 | Vol. 21 Issue 12 (No. 383) advocating justice | building community AHA Celebrates a Win, Recharges for Future Challenges | 3 This Issue is sponsored by Christ Church Cathedral INSIDE THIS ISSUE Spiritual Freedom: Daniel Schneider's Actions & Advocacy For Social Justice| 8 On Declaring Freedom | 7 HIV and Cincinnati| 11 Where Are We Headed As A Nation? - A Need For Reflection | 2 Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.org Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 I LOCAL From The Director: Pedal Wagon Past Death n the wee hours of Sunday, June 3rd two men were shot. Sherrard Dunlap fell on the sidewalk near the corner of East 15th and Moore Streets. As he laid face-down, dying his friends and family were nearby facing an onslaught of emotions. It was evident that the chief among them were the conflicting emotions of enormous demand that he not die and the deep sadness that it wasn’t looking good. People were angry and confused and wanting to save him, but without the ability to do so. People were pacing, lying down, walking, standing, crying, trying to get close feeling like they needed to do something. The police and police tape were attempting to keep people at bay waiting for the paramedics. The fire truck and ambulance could not fit down 15th because of all the cars parked on both sides of the road, so they parked on Vine and came down the street on foot. As Sherrard fell he must have put his hands out to catch himself and so as he lay on the sidewalk his palms were pressed on the concrete with his arms by his side and his elbows pointing upward. It looked like he was holding his arms there, seemingly a good sign. But when the paramedics arrived they moved arms from their propped position to flat by his side and it was clear that, in fact, he was not holding the weight of his J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 JOSH SPRING Executive Director Josh Spring Credit: Homeless Coalition own arms in place. Those gathered exhibited a sense of loss at this realization. As the paramedics left, someone asked if Sherrard would make it. The answer was that they did not know, but they had gotten a pulse. Hours later, on Sunday, I had not heard if he had lived or died. Knowing that if he had died people would have put up a vigil at the sight of his falling, I looked down 15th Street. Yes, there was a growing group of people standing on the sidewalk laying flowers, hanging pictures, hugging and holding each other. Another person had been killed. Sherrard did not make it. The sense of grief and sadness was emanating down 15th. As I looked up from watching the vigil, a pedal wagon full of people drinking and bopping to music rolled directly across the intersection of Vine and 15th and across my line of site, momentarily blocking the view of the vigil happening three buildings down. This juxtaposition hit me and immediately made me angry. The blurring of these two extremely different images displayed deep injustice. Why is it that a group of all white people had the opportunity to ride this party wagon past a group of all Black People mourning the shooting death of a friend and family member? Why did these two groups of people have such polar opposite experiences that morning? I know every individual and every group of people at some point experiences the death of a friend or family member and that while that individual or group is mourning it doesn’t mean that everything else, including recreation, for everyone else just stops. That is not what this is about. This is about the fact that in the same neighborhood and on the same street, different groups of people regularly have opposite experiences, because drastically different opportunities (Continued on page 3) WHERE ARE WE HEADED AS A NATION? A NEED FOR REFLECTION W here are we headed as a nation? As activists and reformers, most of us spend our time in the here and now advocating for changes that will bring about a more just and compassionate society. Every so often, however, we need to take a broader and more detached look at the trends shaping our present and future. This crazy and troubling moment in our history appears to be one of those necessary times to do some reflection. With all the horrors taking place in Washington, D.C.., it is tempting to say that all our troubles stem from Donald Trump and his Administration. If we could just replace Trump and his cronies with saner, less polarizing, and more law abiding and competent leadership then all would be well. Although the country's immediate crises call on us to do BILL WOODS Contributing Writer everything we can to replace Trump and the current Congressional majority, such a change alone won't restore health to our society. Negative social, economic, and political trends were already in place long before Trump's election in 2016. In fact, Trump's victory, can be viewed as the result of these negative trends. Even the efforts of the Russians to damage our political system through social media were aimed at Inflaming already polarized groups in this country. Thus, Trump is a product of negative forces that already existed, (Continued on page 5) Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Mona Jenkins Director of Education: Dr. Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Key Beck Reception: Larry Johnson, Anne Evans Maintenance: Pete Roper ----------------------------------------------CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Dr. Mark Mussman, Mark P. Painter, Martha Stephens, Trenton Davis, Ricardo Taylor, Saad Ghosn, Maurice Golsby, Lee McCoy, James Brown, Mike Carano, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones ----------------------------------------------Photography/ Artwork: Dr. Mark Mussman, zinnproject. org, Saad Ghosn, Tony Castrucci, Justin Jeffre, Aimee Willhoite, Bill Woods --------------------------------------------------Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL AHA Celebrates a Win, Recharges for Future Challenges 3 No. 38 3 | J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 DR. MARK MUSSMAN T Staff Writer he Affordable Housing Advocates’ (AHA) Annual Luncheon Meeting was a resounding success this year. The event took place at United Way and gave us an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate some successes. In years past, we have honored such people as Councilmember David Mann, who has been an advocate for affordable housing in Cincinnati. This year, there was a surprise award, and it warmed my heart to see that the hard work of the last few years, had really paid off. As people came in, I was fortunate enough to work the sign-in desk, which gave me an opportunity to see who was arriving and what organizations were represented. Representatives from banks, community organizations, housing companies, and others were able to come together for a lunch catered by Venice on Vine (Power Inspires Progress), a member of the Homeless Coalition. The food was great, as always, and it was a good reason to take a moment and sit down with likeminded people who are determined to create and preserve quality, safe, affordable housing. Affordable Housing Advocates (AHA) is a group of housing providers, advocates and consumers dedicated to the goal of ensuring good, safe, accessible, affordable housing for all people in Southwest Ohio. Our focus is on meeting the housing needs of very low, low, and moderate-income individuals and families. The work of AHA spans the entire Alms Residents Receive AHA Annual Award Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman region, but we also keep a close eye on what’s happening in Columbus and Washington D.C. As you can imagine, the tone of most of our meetings is not very celebratory, as we talk about the loss of affordable housing across the county, policies that affect the ability of housing providers to create and sustain affordable housing, unsafe housing conditions that often lead to action on our part, and other things that generally paint a dark picture of the future of housing. This is why it’s important for us to take time each year to come together and acknowledge our hard work. Unfortunately, with the proposed 24% cut to Cincinnati’s Human Services Budget, things took a more urgent tone during the meeting. If Legal Aid and the Homeless Coalition Receive Surprise Award Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Josh Spring, Executive Director of the Homeless Coalition, Discusses Many Important Topics Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman JOSH SPRING (Continued from page 2) and difficulties reach them, and most of this difference in access stems from racial and economic injustice. I have seen multiple vigils at 15th and Vine and in other locations. I have never seen such a vigil of all white people for a white person. I have never stood with a group of people where a shooting has occurred and seen all white people. I have seen pedal wagons roll past often and nearly every time it is a group of only white people. These are not statistical or scientific observations, but they do mimic the injustices, racism and be in line with our ideals. The highlight of the Luncheon happened when the residents from the Alms in Walnut Hills spoke about their organizing efforts to defeat HUD. They spoke of the uncertainty they faced when HUD decided that they wanted to close the 200 unit building down. After years of organizing with the Homeless Coalition and Legal Aid, the residents themselves went to the federal courthouse and listened as Legal Aid plead their case. In the end, the Alms was preserved and will now be purchased by a new affordable housing developer. The Alms Tenant Association was awarded with a special acknowledgement, along with the Homeless Coalition and Legal Aid. Barbara Wolf, local documentarist, is creating a film of the event. I am excited to see and share it when it is ready. Everyone is invited to become a member of AHA, whether you are an individual or organization. We are always looking for more people to become involved because we know how much work it takes to Venice on Vine Catered the Event Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman we are to uphold our promise to the city, that we would spend 1.5% of the total city budget on Human Services, then we cannot accept the .69% that is proposed for the upcoming years. Proposed cuts to the Human Services Budgets have been frequent under John Cranley’s tenure as mayor (although the City Manager proposes the budget, then it’s reviewed by the Mayor and sent to City Council for final approval). The budget shows our priorities, and it’s hard to believe, with the level of homelessness and housing instability, and second most childhood poverty in the country, that cutting human services, (among other cuts to public services), would change policy and public opinion about affordable housing. Affordable housing just means that you pay no more than 30% of your income on housing, including your energy bill, taxes, insurance, etc. That’s all it means. Very simple. Last year, we focused on creating a local affordable housing trust fund, which is still in the works. We are now looking at housing protections, and bringing best practices to our local municipalities. We hope that you’ll join us! classism inherit in our systems. The point is that nothing happens in a vacuum. People don’t just make decisions in the absence of all context. Everything is systematic. That morning a group of all Black People had the choice of whether or not to attend the vigil for a gunned down friend and family member and at virtually the same intersection a group of all white people had the choice of whether or not to pay $20 a piece to ride a pedal wagon, drink, yell and dance to music. The problem is all of the racist and classist systems that led to the enormous difference between those two decisions. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Visit ahacincy.org for more information about affordable housing, or to become a member. �4 LOCAL July 7th THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 �OPINION Uh, Sorry, President Trump, You Cannot Pardon Yourself No. 38 3 | J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 T MARK P. PAINTER his week, our president took to his favorite means of communication, Twitter, and claimed, “As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?” First, I have searched in vain to find “numerous legal scholars” who have said this. It’s just another wild exaggeration, a hallmark of Trump discourse, along with outright lies. Of course Trump, not being learned in the law, history, ethics – or anything else except grifting – would not know the legal maxim “No one shall be a judge in their own case.” (And yes, their is correct.) Or for Latin scholars Nemo judex in causa I Contributing Writer sua – no one may be a judge in their own case, or Nemo judex in parte Sua, no one may be a judge in a case he is a party to (Latin should never be used in English, especially in law, but I mention it here to show that the maxim goes back a long way). He certainly cannot pardon himself for impeachment, as the Constitution strictly prohibits pardoning anyone from impeachment. He has surely not read that (or probably any) part of the text. A Justice Department memo in August 1974, about Nixon’s impending resignation, begins, “Under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, the President cannot pardon himself.” The maxim is so clear and widely accepted that the memo didn’t even cite anything else. It assumed that Nixon, or any president, could not pardon himself. More recently, Richard Painter (no relation), law professor and former chief ethics lawyer to President George W. Bush, told CNBC, “He absolutely cannot pardon himself. I do not know of an instance in human history in which a king has pardoned himself. The pope does confession to another priest. A pardon is by its very nature when one person pardons another.” CNBC queried nine legal scholars, and only one suggested that a self-pardon was possible. So much for “numerous.” Playing Soccer is Good For Us, But Watching It In a New Stadium May Not Be LIKE SOCCER. I like watching my grand-children play this game, but I don’t feel any need to watch it in a big-money sportspalace that can’t pay for itself. I want my taxes to go for public housing, for parks and playgrounds. We have learned that a man named Jeff Berding is an expert on building stadiums and getting us commoners to pay for them. It would be great if this spectacular man were to come up with a spectacular new plan for housing people! Is Mr. Berding a reader of Streetvibes? Does he read, perchance, the editorials of Josh Spring about the plight of people with no place to call home? Does he know that the BILL WOODS (Continued from page 2) and he has manipulated some of these trends and made them worse for his own political ends. How did we get to this perilous state? One of the triggers that prompted my thinking about long terms trends was reading about the decline of the Roman Republic. As an escape from the present, I recently read a trilogy of books about the life of Cicero, the famous Roman Senator and orator who lived in the era that culminated with Rome becoming an empire ruled by an emperor. Written by Robert Harris, the three novels, Imperium, Conspirata, and Dictator, follow Cicero from his time as a young Senator and lawyer to his final year as an aging statesman when he was assassinated after unsuccessfully working to prevent his beloved Republic from ending MARTHA STEPHENS Contributing Writer city of Cincinnati needs 28,000 more family homes? That working people are being gentrified out of their living spaces, are living on top of each other, that family shelters are overflowing? Does he know that we’re one of the poorest cities in the country? In the state of Ohio, for instance, 19.3% of citizens are poor, but in Cincinnati it’s 34.3%, according to our own CityData.com. CityData tells us that 37.3% of blacks are poor here, 18% of whites, and it’s widely agreed that at least 44% of our children are living in poverty. 70% of our high school students are on free lunch. Yes, we’re poor in this town. Has Mr. Berding noticed that up as a military dictatorship. What I found eerie when reading this day to day chronicle of Cicero's life in the ancient Roman Republic was the comparison I could draw in my mind to what is going on in this country. During Cicero's time, the Senate was comprised primarily of members of Rome's aristocracy. Whereas in earlier days of the Republic, Senators worked for the general welfare of this city state, by Cicero's era, too many of the elite only thought about furthering or protecting their wealth and positions. Personal greed and competition for government offices that would solidify family power over shadowed any efforts to grapple with long or short-term issues. Meanwhile, military leaders continued to expand the geographic boundaries of what was becoming an extensive empire; creating a whole new range of governance problems. Obviously, one should not go too much of our town looks like a war zone, that in spaces where people used to live, pot holes are taking over, weeds are sky-high, structures are empty or falling down? NO DOUBT this man is more than familiar with our tax abatements for developers, and knows that common people have to cover the taxes the big guys don't have to pay. Yet City Council has agreed to provide a certain amount of city money for a new stadium. We’re a 9X city council, so people running for council have to run throughout the whole city, not just in one district, and you have to have a lot of money to win a seat on council. P. G. Sittenfeld was the deciding vote, far in comparing the last days of the Roman Republic in 43 BC to events in the U.S. in 2018. However, studying history does teach us that civilizations and societies rise and fall due to a variety of economic, social, and political forces. What haunted me while reading the Harris' trilogy is the fact that we seem to be mired in a culture of greed not unlike Cicero's Rome. Our corporate and financial elite is fixated on amassing wealth that primarily benefits its members. Meanwhile income inequality continues to grow at a record rate, and poverty remains high in both urban and rural America. Because of the dominance of money in political campaigns, candidates of both major parties cater to big donors and corporations, and the general welfare is often overlooked or ignored by our elected officials. Unlike Rome, the U.S. doesn't rule the world through military conquest, THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 5 This is not a new theory, to say the least. It is part of the “rule of law” established in the Constitution. How about James Madison in Federalist 10: “No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity.” One might argue that this danger does not hold true with Trump, as his integrity is already beyond corrupt. The maxim is credited to Lord Edward Coke in the 1600s, but it had surely been part of English common law long before. We inherited the English common law, hence Madison’s knowledge. So there really is no question; Trump’s tweet is ABSOLUTELY wrong. I am shocked. Mark P. Painter served as a judge for 30 years and is the author of six books, including Write Well and The Legal Writer. He is a member of the Enquirer’s Board of Contributors. I believe, for using city money to help cover the new stadium, and he spent $501,785 in his run for Council last year. (All but two of those who won a seat on Council in 2017 spent at least a hundred thousand dollars.) Donors spent over two million dollars to elect John Cranley mayor ($2,322,502), and Cranley just happens to be another enthusiastic, even ecstatic, supporter of the new stadium. Are we an evil town in an evil country? Plenty of money for our killing fields all over the world, biggest war machine the world has ever seen, while at home we're drifting into third-world-ism? In Cincinnati we’re full of people who can't make it, are suffering, don’t earn a living wage, yet must pay their share for yet another stadium deal? Please! Lovers of soccer like Mr. Berding, Mr. Cranley, and Mr. Sittenfeld should get out and play soccer, if they love this game so much! They’d be healthier, after all, and morally more fit, perhaps, to serve us. but our economic and military strength make us a dominant player in a global economy badly in need of reform. Thus, it is important to examine these long-term trends that could insure our decline. The historian Arnold Toynbee measured the success and failure of civilizations and nations in terms of how well they responded to major challenges over time. If a country's leadership continues to make inadequate responses to economic, social, or political problems, then that country is probably doomed to decline. Part II of this essay will examine some of the major trends that are presently receiving inadequate responses in the U.S., and it will also include a laundry list of needed reforms that just might make a difference. Such an exercise could bog us down in such pessimism that we might be tempted to give up. My purpose, however, is to make us more thoughtful about our activism. �6 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 �7 JUBILEE CAMPAIGN On Declaring Freedom No. 38 3 | J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 I TRENTON DAVIS n 1865, the Union Army retook Charleston, South Carolina from the Confederates; all the whites had fled the city, and who remained were black folks who were now freedmen. Before the army had arrived, in the latter years of the war, Union soldiers were being held as prisoners of war at the Washington Racecourse- a repurposed horse racetrack. The racetrack was a symbol of the planter class; a people whose cruelty towards the slaves they owned was immeasurably worse than the treatment of Union POW’s. Here at the track, some 260 Union soldiers had died here of disease and were buried in an unmarked, mass gravesite behind it. The black townspeople at Charleston, whom had witnessed this tragedy, went to the site. They reinterred the fallen. They made them proper graves. They couldn’t mark them though, they didn’t have dog tags in those days. They built a fence all the way around this cemetery, and over an archway leading into the cemetery, they painted “Martyrs of the Racecourse”. Then, they held a parade of 10,000 on that racetrack on May 1st, 1865. It was led by 3,000 little black children carrying roses and singing John Brown’s Body. The children were followed by their mothers, fathers, and then finally by regiments of the Union army. This was the first Memorial Day. However, to the freedmen and their families, this was the Independence Day of a Second American Revolution. Slavery was defeated; his bondage was now his freedom; in that moment of reconciliation, the honoring of and faith in the cause of their war, Americans marched together in a Declaration of Jubilee. On May 1st, 1865, we declared our independence from that system of slavery. Today, we use words like underrepresented, disproportionately affected by, unequal, institutional or de-facto to describe what forms of slavery still exist today. For black folks, these words reference a debt that is owed to them. After Johnson’s repeal of Special Field Order No. 15- an order that would have redistributed 400,000 acres of land to newly freed black families- Jim Crow recemented power in the South. 'A Contributing Writer King and the Civil Rights Movement fought for equal protection under the law, but the unfinished work of King lays in equal protection under the economy. The most important piece of American materialistic life has always been property, and we have never given restitution to those that were property. For white folks, a debt is owed from them. Years of the “university promise” of meritocracy has piled hundreds of thousands of dollars onto the backs of families. The mortgage crisis has decimated the credit and financials of the nation. Americans, in their pursuit of materialism, have bankrupted themselves. Whites have now watched what blacks watched during the days of urban sprawla systematic disinvestment from their culture and livelihood. The economy is equitable to all in this way, predatory to one and all the same, regardless of color. The bank of justice, to avoid bankruptcy, now offers Pay-Day loans to all those whose checks return ‘insufficient funds’. Our time of rampant racism, classism, strife, and human suffering is the time before a Third American Revolution. Whites too ask for debt relief. They ask for the reparations that we all seek in our lives- a little relief, a break, a moment to enjoy humanity and our belongingness to each other. We see the symptoms of this slavery in the agony of the opioid epidemic, extremism, and mass shooting violence. Yet, we find the beginnings of a new economic system borne in human-centered thinking through social entrepreneurship, intentional communities, and Place Matters initiatives; these are economies borne of explicit human to human intention. In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. Lincoln issued the Proclamation and distributed thousands of copies of it to officers, and he ordered them to spread it throughout the South. One of those officers, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, even held a ceremony. His account of what happened next illustrates our need for a new Emancipation Proclamation; a new celebration of freedom. He writes: “All this was according to the program… Then followed an incident so simple and so touching, so utterly unexpected and startling that I can scarcely believe it on recalling it, Union soldiers were laid to rest at this gravesite Credit: Zinnproject.org though it gave the key note to the whole day. The very moment the speaker had ceased, and just as I took and waved the flag, which now for the first time meant anything to these poor people, there suddenly arose close beside the platform a strong male voice, but a little cracked and elderly, into which two women’s voices instantly blended, singing, as if by an impulse that could no more be repressed than the morning note of a song sparrow. ‘My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.’ People looked at each other, and then at us on the platform to see whence came this interruption, not put down in the program. Firmly and irrepressibly the quavering voices sang on, verse after verse, ‘my country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty.’ Street Life: Misery lifetime of misery up and down life's track, how we wish we could give some of the misery back.' This is not a Stephen Spielberg sequence, nor an offspring of his creation. It is indeed a view of reality for many! Living without ambition; your only concern is survival for today! Living in the moment without a plan for the future, you just exist! RICARDO TAYLOR Streetvibes Distributor Misery can be no one's best friend, but often becomes a constant companion! Awakening in an abandoned vehicle at the break of dawn, hearing that old familiar sound of birds chirping, knowing the day has started and that you must get in motion. Hitting the pavement in your run over Others of the colored people joined in. Some whites on the platform began, but I motioned to them to be silent. I never saw anything so electric. It made all words cheap. It seemed the choked voice of a race at last unloosed. Nothing could be more wonderfully unconscious. Art could not have dreamed of a tribute shoes, holes in your pants pockets, your every worldly possession in the book bag you wear on your back, you start your ritual! Finding your way to the soup kitchen hoping you run across a piece of luck; a coin or two that someone lost, or perhaps an artifice you may be able to sell for a small price! Anything to shake off the familiarity of being broke with only a wish! THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED to the day of jubilee; it should be so affecting. History will not believe it…” We must come together and declare freedom. Equity calls to us from the wilderness. Through reparations, we can imagine a new economy for all. Join us in declaring Jubilee in the year 2019: the 400th anniversary of slavery in the United States. Join us in the song of Jubilee and ring the call of a new Emancipation Proclamation. This story of the first Memorial Day and Thomas Wentworth Higginson’s journal entry are adapted from Dr. David Blight’s Open Yale Course on the Civil War and Reconstruction lectures 16 and 19: it is available on Apple Music and I highly recommend it. That oh, so lonesome wish for that small piece of luck becomes the reason for living; every thought is geared towards that wishful fate, of running into a happenstance which will take away the hardship. Wandering to and from, you put your hopes in the backseat and start your scavenging for the essentials of the moment. To realize, that all that you have coming is what you had yesterday and what you will have again tomorrow becomes the (Continued on page 12) �8 RELIGIOUS PEACEMAKERS Spiritual Freedom and Inclusive Love Dictate Daniel Schneider's Actions & Advocacy for Social Justice W J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 SAAD GHOSN hen Daniel Schneider was 8 years old, he learned that about a mile south of where he lived, in Shelby County, OH, was a church previously attended by black people from the Rumley community, a community established around 1840 as a haven for freed slaves. He also learned that his own family had had a strong relationship with it. "I am told that my grandfather, when he was born, got his 1st bath from a black woman," he says. "And that when his mother, in 1909, was near her death due to cancer, she was upset at the idea of being buried in a white people's cemetery, instead of with her black friends." This was Schneider's first exposure to a personal story of inclusive diversity relating to black history. The black community, when he was growing up, had moved away, and the church and the school that he attended were then predominantly white. Schneider belonged to a religious family and went every Sunday with his parents, to the First United Church of Christ, a conservative Evangelical church located near the farm where they lived. After retiring, his father had actually become a lay minister. In high school, in the 1960s, he was inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. and by the Civil Rights movement that he, and his father, supported strongly. But living in the countryside, away from a city, prevented him from participating actively in it. Contributing Writer For college, he attended Wittenberg University, a liberal arts college in Springfield, OH, and he studied history. After graduating, he was drafted for a year in Vietnam, where he was given clerical, instead of combat, responsibilities and also served as the chaplain's assistant. He, nevertheless, strongly opposed the war that he found wrong. Upon his return from Vietnam, Schneider joined Drake University in Iowa where he received a Master's degree in Education, then Ohio State University in Columbus for his PhD in History. While in Columbus he attended the university Lutheran chapel, met his wife, also a Lutheran, and got married. Few months later, in 1977, they both moved to Cincinnati where his wife had secured a teaching job in the Cincinnati Public School system and he, himself, a job in business. From 1983 and until his retirement 3 years ago, Schneider worked vocationally in a field of educational opportunity, helping young persons, primarily low-income students, get into better positions in life. For the 1st 15 years, he worked with Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates, initially as a staff of the organization, and later as its director, preparing high school seniors to get jobs, providing them with skills training, teaching them how to interview, and how to become successful. This exposed him to individuals from different backgrounds, low income, What is UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM  Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a liberal religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Its emphasizes that religion is a universal human quality and focuses on the universal principles of most religions. Unitarian Universalists (UUs) assert no creed, and instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. As such, their congregations are inclusive, counting many atheists, agnostics, and theists within their membership. The roots of UU lie in liberal Christianity, specifically Unitarianism an open-minded and welcoming approach to faith which has its roots in Jewish and Christian traditions but remains open to insights from all faiths, science, the arts, the natural world and everyday living - and Universalism - which theology is defined by universal salvation, the belief that the God of love would not create a person to be destined for eternal damnation, and therefore the rejection of the idea of hell. UUs state that from these traditions comes a deep regard for intellectual freedom and inclusive love. Congregations and members seek inspiration and derive insight from all major world religions. The beliefs of individual UUs range widely, including atheism, agnosticism, pantheism, deism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, neopaganism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Humanism, and many more. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was formed in 1961 through the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association, established in 1825, and the Universalist Church of America, established in 1793. The UUA is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and serves churches mostly in the United States. African American and working-class students, and led to his interest in and appreciation of diversity. In 1999 he transitioned to UC Clermont College to direct two federally funded programs, Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound, both aimed at helping prepare low income, mostly 1st generation students, go to college. There would be presentations made to schools and also direct work with kids as young as 6 grades until 12, providing them with tutoring, Daniel Schneider monthly workshops on what to expect from college, college visits, helping them with their ACT tests and with their college and financial applications. Through the Upward Bound program, weekend workshops, field trips and summer sessions would also be offered to high school students, all with the intent of preparing them for college. Being federally funded, these programs exposed Schneider to politics, to congressmen and senators with whom he needed to maintain good relations, and once a year took him to Washington, DC, for lobbying. "This got me to become outspoken, to learn how to better talk to people about what's important, also to function more into an activist mode," he says. In 2003 he joined the MLK coalition choral directed by Catherine Roma and sang in its choir for 11 years. The choral would participate every year in the MLK day celebration, and at the occasion, would also perform at the Warren Correctional Institution in Lebanon, OH, where a group of inmates, also under the direction of Roma, had formed a choir called the UMOJA Men's Chorus. "The inmates would sing for us and we would sing for them," states Schneider. "I met and mingled with people different from me and from the ones I grew up with and I got to respect them as individuals. They made me look at things from a different perspective." In 2006 and during one of these celebrations, Sharon Dittmar, a young Unitarian Universalist (UU) woman minister, spoke. Schneider and his wife were very impressed with her message and teaching. They investigated her faith, resonated with Credit: Saad Ghosn its tenets and a year later decided to join her church, the First Unitarian Church, in Avondale. "We felt that everyone there was accepted and respected and that there was a strong commitment for social justice," says Schneider. "My wife and I had been looking for more freedom to explore our own ideas, and our views of God were different from what the Lutheran church was offering us. We found the Unitarian Universalists a very good fit for us." Through his new church, Schneider joined its UUJO (Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio) statewide organization, became very active in it and was elected co-chair of its board. He also became cochair of the church's social justice committee, helping coordinate many social justice-oriented activities in the community. He is, for instance, heavily involved in the Interfaith Hospitality Network, inviting, several times a year, homeless families to come and stay at the church and be fed; as well as in the operation of the Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Community (Continued on page 11) Religious Peacemakers is a regular column highlighting Greater Cincinnati individuals who use their faith and religious beliefs for peace and justice. Saad.Ghosn@uc.edu is the founder of SOS (Save Our Souls) Art, an organization that promotes arts as vehicles for peace and justice and for a change. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 38 3 | J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 9 PHOTO ESSAY Murals of Cincinnati TONY CASTRUCCI Contributing Photographer 1. The Vision of Samuel Hannaford 2. The Queen Shares 3. The Golden Muse 4. Shine 5. No Place Like Home 6. Mr. Tarbell Tips His Hat 7. Energy and Grace 8. Homage to Cincinnatus Restoration THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 9. The Face of the Arts 10. Ice Cream Daydream �10 LOCAL J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 July 20 - August 11, 2018 For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL No. 38 3 | J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 I 11 HIV and Cincinnati ’m an HIV survivor after 20 years, since September 1997. I was put on medicines immediately and had to fluctuate meds for the right dose— been a whirlwind of 20 years! Some people I tell, some people I don’t. Some people want to play with it, and they shouldn’t. It was a death sentence back then. Now it’s not. You get the right meds, the right doctors, you can make it. I got it recklessly. I’m not mad about it. What am I gonna be mad at a dead man for? I knew going in. I was careless. My partner Tony gave HIV to me. Tony and I worked together in Florence, Kentucky. I don’t have anyone to blame but Maurice. I still love Tony, even though I’ve been with this virus for twenty years. If he was still alive, I would still be with him. He was my bright side, my rock. Whenever I was down, he would do something to make me laugh and smile. We would go out and we’d wear white shirts. We’d go to straight bars but they always knew we were lovers. The straight bars were a mess. But we can’t let them bring us down. I don’t have nobody to blame for my mistakes. When I told my mom she was leery. The health department came by to let her know that I could still use the same forks, same toilet. It’s a disease transferred by blood, nothing else. They came to grips with it, they’re okay with it. I have twelve siblings, half of them are married. I lost my mom 2 years ago, my dad 6 months ago. It took a toll on me. I was in the hospital for a couple days because I couldn’t handle it. I took dad’s death harder than I took mom’s. I was at SAAD GHOSN (Continued from page 8) Services Food Pantry in Avondale. He also tutors kids at the South Avondale elementary school. Participating with the Amos project, Schneider and his church supported, in 2016, the Preschool Promise initiative, canvassing door to door in favor of Issue 44, the school levy that insured opportunities for young kids to attend preschool. Through UUJO he participated, in October 2015, along other social justice groups, in a Walk to Stop Executions in Ohio. They started at the death house in Lucasville, walked through Chillicothe and ended, seven days later, in Columbus. Accompanying them was a man previously on death row but since then exonerated. In addition, Schneider wrote a letter to the editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer and sent several others to Ohio politicians and legislators urging them to abolish the death penalty. In 2016 he participated in a Rally for Racial Justice at MAURICE GOLSBY Contributing Writers Deaconess for 4 days. I just sitting there and crying, thinking about my mom. She worked at Frisch’s in Covington for 30 years. That’s how I got into the food business. I did that for over 25 years. I don’t know how I did it, but I did it. I’m trying to go back to it so I can catch up with mom. Her sisters treat me like I’m theirs. I have a prison record, been there three times. Each time I went, my mom worried about me because she didn’t know if I was being treated right. My lawyer made sure the state took care everything I needed. I told her she doesn’t need to worry. I’m in a support group here called Positive Souls, been around since 1999. It’s the only African American support group for HIV/AIDS. They’re like my family. We go out in the community, do different things. The Champion group meets once every last Wednesday of the month. We get ideas together to target the population who are at risk. I have a friend who’s 23 and he’s lucky…he’s been skating by. But he’s been having unprotected sex and he’s had gonorrhea four times. I tell him he needs to slow down—not everyone who’s cute is clean but he doesn’t want to listen to me because I’m older. I have a lot of friends. One knew he had AIDS, but wasn’t taking his meds and was smoking and drinking. He wasn’t taking care of himself. Protect yourself. I don’t care what you do on the street, but protect yourself. You don’t want something you can’t get rid of. I’m licensed to preach. I preach sometimes at my church in Kentucky. Not too many people there know about my HIV. But they will. I told my pastor that there are some things I need to tell people there. I got to two churches, one in Kentucky and one in Cincinnati. The people in Cincinnati know, because I told them when we had testimonies. The pastor said, “Brother, your testimony touched me the most.” They took up an offering for me, bought me some clothes and household supplies. They put the rest of the money on a card and took me shopping. I am so grateful to the church for that. When I go there sometimes they say, “We miss you.” It feels good to be missed in Covington. I was born and raised in Covington. But I like to visit other churches from time to time. Through my journey, it’s been a journey, trust me. It’s been one journey after another. I have a friend who is also positive but doesn’t like to talk about it. But you feel freer when you talk about it. The only people who can help you are Caracole. I love them for helping me over the years. the Ohio Statehouse. UUJO is currently trying to partner with other organizations in support of the Poor People's Campaign, originally organized by MLK and later carried out under the leadership of Ralph Abernathy. The campaign which demanded economic and human rights for poor Americans of diverse backgrounds has been recently resurrected and re-imagined by William Barber, the former North Carolina NAACP leader who rose to prominence behind the Moral Mondays movement. The goal of the new Campaign is to consecrate a new movement to transform the political, economic, and moral structures of society. It plans to organize mobilizations in the spring of 2018, and to orchestrate 40 days of concentrated episodes of civil disobedience in at least 25 states, waging war on child poverty, racism and economic injustice. Schneider also serves on the board of the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center where he helps raise money. A few years ago he attended training on the fair food campaign, and since then has worked and advocated with public entities, such as universities, the purchase of food which has public value and is environmentally healthy. He also worked on getting Cincinnati City Council to approve the Wage Theft Ordinance which penalizes any company that does business with the city and gets tax abatement if found not paying its workers a fair wage. Every Tuesday and Thursday night, and from September until May, Schneider and his wife now teach English as a 2nd language to immigrants, mostly undocumented Latinos, at the Robert Academy in Price Hill. "Teaching English to immigrants is a priority for me," he says. "I like being useful and helping others, but also I find language skills to be essential for the integration of foreigners into our society." With his wife he also went to the Women's march in Washington, DC, in January 2017 and in Cincinnati this past January. Through the social justice committee that he chairs, Schneider also keeps his church involved in social and political issues. He got for instance the congregation to vote on a Black Lives Matter banner now displayed on the church building. Also, on having a yearly reconciliation service and a monetary fund to honor the memory of William Carter, a black Unitarian Universalist minister who had started in 1920/30s the Unitarian Brotherhood church in the West End of Cincinnati but who was ignored and snubbed by ministers of the other UU established churches. Descendants of Carter are invited at the ceremony during which a public apology is expressed. "I am interested not only in social services but also in advocacy for social justice," says Schneider. "I serve currently on 4 different boards and try through them to effect public policy in order to better the world." In all his doings, Schneider is motivated by his faith and by his deep desire for social justice. He abides by what represents for him the two most important messages of UU - spiritual freedom and universal uniting love. Maurice Golsby, Wearing a Caracole Shirt, In Over-the-Rhine Credit: Justin Jeffre THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- �12 STREET VOICE God Always Put Something In My Heart J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 LEE MCCOY Streetvibes Distributor F or once in my life I had to tag this article like this cause, I truly believe that God always puts something in my heart to write something. Today I am so lost. I have written over 50 articles since 2009 and truly it is all by the grace of God. I have no writing skills, but God has always shown me the way. Now that I have started I realized that God is still driving this car and I need to tell the people who really know me something. First of all, I want to thank those who have shown concern about me losing weight My health has been going downhill for a while. I am waiting on some result of a blood test and when I get the answer I’ll share it with you, the good or the bad. Am I scared? Yes, I am. Please keep me in your prayers cause prayers are good. Until then, God bless you. Lee McCoy --------------------------------------- Credit: Aimee Willhoite No More Tears P JAMES BROWN salms 116:8 “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling” Amen I woke up this morning, had a smell of coffee. Life is so precious. I lost everything in life. My parents had me at 14. I lost my mom March 2nd, 2016. They had to pull the oxygen tubes out. They found my father that Sunday morning. He OD’ed off heroin. This world got me messed up. A and believe me I thank you for your concern so let me tell you a little about this. Streetvibes Distributor I lost family and friends. I wish they were here today to see what was going on. They were grown up with us. They are guardian angels now. But we’re in Revelations right now. Everything they do in the Old Testament, they’re doing right now. What’s wrong with this world today? I understand that people got to take care of bills and their family and everything. I’m not asking for a handout when I’m selling Streetvibes. I’m just out there doing my job, being a people person. I think we need the Homeless Congress back. I used to be homeless down in Cincinnati. You got to deal with attitudes and everything else. Depends how you carry yourself but you got to deal with other people. They just look at you like you’re lost and everything else but I’ve been doing this for nine years like it’s a full-time job. People be thinking we looking for What is it and why are we ignored at home? s an 18-month combat veteran and in the number of years of my life, I have never experienced residents that are against veterans until I came to Cincinnati. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. When you ignore a veteran, that’s disrespectful. Then we say to ourselves. ‘We gave up families, jobs, and friends to go and fight for freedom so you and yours can enjoy the freedom that you have. What the RICARDO TAYLOR (Continued from page 7) totality of your existence! The only difference in a day is its formal name Sunday or Monday, it’s all the same; that constant struggle, not sure of what’s to be gained! An existence where you can only hope that that oh, so, lonesome place of refuge isn't towed for its abandonment! Your mind stuck on the simplest, yet most important factor of being, living physically and emotionally for the security of that one place in which MIKE CARANO Streetvibes Distributor hell is it that makes some people treat us the way they do?’ Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. Because of my health and age, I work two part time jobs. My first job is when the Reds play at home. I work as a janitor at Great American Ball Park. When the Reds are away from home, I sell Streetvibes. June fourth, 2018 I was on Sycamore selling Streetvibes. I felt the negative vibes of being ignored, it happened, and it hurt. Everyone of the people walking by ignored me except three of people who did stop, talk and purchase a paper. I remember one woman told me, “Sorry about your luck.” Another told me, “Get off the corner and find a real job.” This needs to be addressed in two parts. The first woman that told me, “Sorry about your luck”, I don’t allow them to bring me down to their level. you can feel alive {your abandoned vehicle} you spend the whole day hoping it stays secure! The loss would be devastating! The idea, or rather the fact, that life is destined for you to always be in shambles, without the slightest chance of change becomes your nemesis, as if this is how it is supposed to be! To lose hope is to lose reasoning, so you just drift alone accepting things the way they are. Living without a past or future, you just exist! How is one to know that life exist without so much pain and pressure? How can one be free from the reality; that which they perceive to be their fate? 'Existing, without a hope or prayer! Such a miserable place to be! You tend to submit yourself to that idea of reality and continue along the life path that you are destined to. Huh? Well, it's like they say. It is what it is!' 'Continuing along life's track you realize that you can't give the misery back', so blindly you accept that position in life.' THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED handouts but sometimes the other distributors get you all messed up. Kroger building—I love my Kroger people. Some of them come from Findlay Market but they come see me sometimes. You get a lot of people who come out from the suburbs. When they come downtown, it’s something different. They think I’m strange and everything because I’m selling Streetvibes there for nine years on my island. The police don’t mess with me no more. The neighborhood don’t mess with me. I’m just right there in the neighborhood. --------------------------------------The woman that told me to get off the corner and find a real job, she doesn’t no anything about me, let alone know me. For her information, before and after my military service I worked as an overhead crane operator for 23 years, Buckeye Steel, Columbus Ohio. Don’t take this the wrong way, because there are residents of Cincinnati that do support veterans as well as the homeless. For the residents of Cincinnati that support veterans and homeless, there’s not enough words to say how much your support means to us. Take care and God bless! --------------------------------------- �13 STREET VOICE No. 38 3 | J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 I LIVE FOR YOU I live for you! I think for you! THE UNCIVIL MOTHER GOOSE This Little Pig tweeted "fake news," And then this Little Pig passed it on. I love you! I hope for you! I will die for you! This Little Pig told lies on Face Book, And this Little Pig sent a Text saying: I cry for you! I worry for you! I sacrifice for you! "Truth and civility are gone." I pray for you! I write this for you! There’s no me without you! BILL WOODS Contributing Writer I love you! ALL LIVES MATTER My only begotten son AFTER ALL I BEEN THROUGH BEING HOMELESS Rico, stay true! I LIVE TO BE A PART OF HISTORY TO LIVE TO SEE A BLACK PRESIDENT AND A KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer WHITE WOMEN NOMINATED WHAT'S THE MYSTERY IT SEEMS LIKE GOD HAS A PLAN FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AND BE AT PEACE AND KNOW WE ALL LIVE AND WE ALL DIE SO WHY THE RACISM DOESN'T CEASE ALL OF A SUDDEN IT MATTERS WHAT COLOR, RELGION AND WHAT CREED YOU ARE THINGS MATTER TODAY WHETHER YOU WORK OR FIND A PLACE TO LIVE SO WHO'S SCARED I BELIEVE WE AS A HUMAN RACE TEACH OUR CHILDREN WHAT TO BELIEVE IN AND HOW I BELIEVE IF WE DON’T SHOW OUR CHILDREN LOVE WITH UNDERSTANDING WE DEAD NOW ALL LIVES MATTER KNOWING THAT ALL LIVES END, LIFE BEING SO SHORT WHAT IS THE FIGHT LET PEOPLE BE BLESSED IN WHO THEY ARE RICH OR POOR JUST GIVE RESPECT THAT'S RIGHT SO WHETHER YOU SUPPORT THE HOMELESS OR NOT JUST PRAY IT WON’T BE YOU SOMEDAY SITUATIONS MAKING CHANGES GOOD, SOME BAD, CHANGING ONES LIFE, ALL LIFE MATTERS I SAY WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 153 Across 1. Insane 4. Unity 7. Mythological vicious winged monster 12. Have confidence or faith in 13. Genus corvus 14. Drama set to music 15. Palliate 17. Interior layout and furnishings 18. Indicating maiden name 19. Deprive of freedom 21. Peculiar 22. Tonality 23. Source or germ 24. Zeal 27. Rotating mechanism 28. Arum 30. Affect emotionally 33. Singing voice 36. Earlier in time 38. Impulse 39. Type of fish 40. In addition 41. Hackneyed 43. Highly excited 45. Necessitate 46. Medicinal, magical or poisonous beverage 48. Frequently 50. Bobbin 51. From a great distance 53. Country, initially 56. Health spring 58. Have as a meaning 60. Steal 61. Large tropical ray 64. Concordant 66. Kind of lesion 67. Hint 68. A horse's manner of moving 69. Glimmer 70. Stitched cloth border 71. Conclude Down 1. Noisy riotous fight 2. Back street 3. Staining substance 4. Talk pompously 5. Observed 6. Large jug 7. Box on a pole for carrying bricks 8. Imitate 9. Bring into accord 10. Urge on 11. Linear unit 12. Relative status 13. Movie house 16. Passport endorsement 20. Mesh 25. Circuit 26. Without qualification 27. Bring into existence 28. Alone 29. Socks, stockings and tights SODOKU PUZZLE NO 283 - MEDIUM 30. Long crusty roll sandwich 31. Snare 32. Lack of knowledge or education 34. Skimpy 35. Two-year-old sheep 37. Pole 42. Prevarication 44. Small beard 47. Past times 49. Liberate 51. Slant 52. Discussion group 53. Relating to a city 54. Financially sound 55. Assist in wrongdoing 56. Self-satisfied 57. Become less interesting or attractive 59. Apiece 62. Beverage 63. Supply with weapons 65. Historic period PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 383 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 152 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 282- MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 38 3 | J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 Central Access Point 15 381-SAFE Shelter: Women and Children Bethany House 557-2873 1730 Race Street 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 St. George Food Pantry 751-8771 2554 Dennis St. 45219 Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 621-7265 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 386-7899 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 6037 Cary Ave. 45224 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 131 E. 12th Street 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 Other Resources St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 215 E. 14th St. 45202 1841 Fairmount Ave. 45214 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 1528 Race St. 45202 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave. 45223 Salvation Army 762-5660 112 E. Liberty Street 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 4600 Erie Ave. 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 Shelter: Men Shelterhouse 721-0643 1125 Bank Street 45214 411 Gest St. 45203 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 1437 Walnut Street 45202 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 2121 Vine Street 45202 Prospect House 921-1613 1805 Dalton Ave. 45214 Parkway Center 661-4620 682 Hawthorne Ave. 45205 Starting Over 961-2256 Shelter: Youth Sheakley Center for Youth (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave. 45219 569-9500 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave 45220 961-4080 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women Shelter: Family Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both Interfaith Hospitality Network First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 471-1100 Housing: 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. 45214 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 1522 Republic Street 45202 114 W. 14th Street 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street 45202 Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP Advocacy Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 2401-2411 Reading Rd. 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 2401 Reading Rd. 45202 VA 977-6800 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 UpSpring 363-3300 Health 961-0600 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 OTR: 1620 Vine Street 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert Ave. 45206 3550 Washington Ave. 45229 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1223 Main St. 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton County Office of Reentry 946-4304 138 E. Court Street Room # 101 First Floor Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 5 E. Liberty St. 45202 for 26 issues 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 VA Domiciliary 859-572-6202 Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky 634 Scott St. 41011 859-291-4555 You can support our mission and spread the word about your business. For more information contact Justin Jeffre at 513421-70803 x 12 or email streetvibes@ cincihomeless.org $100 859-491-8303 Want to advertise in Streetvibes? Cincinnati Health Network 2825 Burnet Ave. 45219 Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 J u n e 15 - J u n e 2 8 , 2 0 18 | N o . 38 3 S treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BETTIE BAILEY SINCE 10/2017 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 BRIAN ADAMS SINCE 7/2017 CHARLES WILLIAMS SINCE 7/2017 CHRISTOPHER KAIHATSU SINCE 7/2017 CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DARREL ROZIER SINCE 7/2017 DAVID MCCANE SINCE 2017 ERIC VALDEZ SINCE 2/2017 GERALD FRANKLIN SINCE 7/2017 GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 HENRY BRELAND SINCE 7/2017 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2000 JENNY BURTON SINCE 7/2017 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 KIM NGUYEN SINCE 7/2017 KENNY BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MARK SHEARS SINCE 4/2012 MAURICE GOLSBY MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MIKE CARANO SINCE 4/2016 RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 1999 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 STACIA HOLLANDER SINCE 2017 STEPHANIE EAKES SINCE 7/2017 SYLVESTER WALKER SINCE 7/2017 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2011 VICTOR MUMPHRY WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 WINNIE RICE SINCE 7/2017 QUEENACELASTINE SINCE 7/2017 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 VIOLET COLLINS SINCE 2017 � 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 2018 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 June 15-June 28, 2018 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director Where Are We Headed as a Nation? Pg 3: AHA Celebrates a Win, Recharges for Future Challenges Pg 4: GCHC Pg 5: Uh, Sorry, President Trump, You Cannot Pardon Yourself Playing Soccer is Good for Us, But Watching It in a New Stadium May Not Be Pg 6: How to Respond to Panhandling Pg 7: On Declaring Freedom Pg 8: Religious Peacemakers Pg 9: Photo Story Pg 10: GCHC Pg 11: HIV and Cincinnati Pg 12: God Always Put Something in my Heart No More Tears What Is It and Why Are We Ignored at Home? Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 15-June 28, 2018 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Dr. Mark Mussman Mark P. Painter Martha Stephens Trenton Davis Ricardo Taylor Saad Ghosn Maurice Golsby Lee McCoy James Brown Mike Carano Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Zinnproject.org Tony Castrucci Justin Jeffre Aimee Willhoite Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF AHA Aimee Willhoite Bill Woods Cincinnati Donald Trump Dr. Mark Mussman Freedom HIV James Brown Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kim Green Lee McCoy Mark P. Painter Martha Stephens Maurice Golsby Mike Carano Mural Photography Religion Ricardo Taylor Saad Ghosn Soccer Tony Castrucci Trenton Davis Willa Denise Jones Zinnproject.org https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/47bcd7bb6fcd303d208fb6f2af5df238.pdf 4b96dde4b3cc44c83b5cf4e2d59bfd8b PDF Text Text June 16th - June 29th 2017 | Vol. 20 Issue 39 (No. 358) advocating justice | Building community The Better Bus Coalition is Calling for a 2017 Bus Levy| 8 This issue sponsored by Lachey's INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Heroin Epidemic | 3 We Have Pride, But Now What? | 5 A Great Loss For Our Community | 9 Where's Whitey? | 9 Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.org Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL We value our People, We value Human Services J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 35 8 JOSH SPRING I Executive Director have typed the two-word phrase “Human Services” more times than I can honestly imagine. I have said it even more times. Our direct organization does not receive any of these dollars. However, a good number of our MemberOrganizations do receive them. Actually, such programs deserve these and more dollars. Not only, that, but they desperately need these dollars. Homelessness is increasing in Cincinnati. More children and adults are experiencing homelessness than probably ever in our city’s history and still the Human Services Fund isn’t funded to the minimum level it is supposed to be funded. And that level is only 1.5% of the General Fund. Half of our children are below the federal poverty level. And in case you are wondering, this is how the federal poverty level is determined: In 1955 the Department of Agriculture completed a survey showing that families at that time spent approximately one-third of their income on food. In 1963 a woman working in the Social Security Department used the Department of Agriculture’s “economy food plan,” which according to the department was "designed for temporary or emergency use when funds are low," and was the cheapest of four plans they created. She then took the 1963 annual cost of this “economy food plan,” later called the “thrifty food plan” and multiplied it by three per the 1955 survey. This became the federal poverty level in 1963 and since then, each year it has simply been adjusted for inflation. The resulting poverty line for 2017 for a family of four is $24,600. All of this to say, imagine how many of our children, families and adults would be shown to be experiencing poverty if the poverty line were reasonable and realistic. So with this clearly inaccurate federal poverty line, nearly fifty percent of our children still fall below, as well as 42.3 percent of Black People, 37.7 percent of Hispanic People, 19.4 percent of white people and 30.5 percent of all people. Despite these alarming percentages, which we know to be significantly lower than the actual percentages, Human Services is currently only 0.88 percent of the city’s general fund and for years was even lower. The city manager has proposed cutting it to 0.625 percent and the mayor wants to keep it at only 0.88 percent. Meanwhile the city funds corporate supported ventures, gives money to big for-profit developments and hands out tens of millions of dollars in tax abatements like candy to corporations. In addition to dolling out our money in this manner there are no processes to prevent displacement and as a result displacement either directly or indirectly resulting from city supported developments occur regularly, sending more people even deeper into poverty and homelessness. These numbers and priorities do not add up. Actually, they do. It is no wonder why poverty in Cincinnati is at the levels it is and why homelessness is on the rise. Please take a moment to send an email to citycouncil@cincinnatioh.gov telling them to restore the significant deficit in Human Services due to years and years of cuts and neglect. Tell them to do better than only 1.5 percent and instead invest at an amount that shows the city values our People. If you don’t do email or you would like to get more personal, pay them a visit at city hall or go to a council meeting and speak. You may also contact them directly via personal email, hard mail or letter. Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Mona Jenkins Director of Education: Dr. Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Key Beck David Mann Suite 356 513-352-4610 david.mann@cincinnati-oh.gov Yvette Simpson Suite 349 513-352-5260 yvette.simpson@cincinnati-oh.gov Kevin Flynn Suite 348 513-352-4550 kevin.flynn@cincinnati-oh.gov Amy Murray Suite 346A 513-352-3640 amy.murray@cincinnati-oh.gov Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Chris Seelbach Suite 350 513-352-5210 chris.seelbach@cincinnati-oh.gov Maintenance: Pete Roper P.G. Sittenfeld Suite 354 513-352-5270 pg.sittenfeld@cincinnati-oh.gov Christopher Smitherman Suite 346B 513-352-3464 christopher.smitherman@cincinnati-oh.gov Charlie Winburn Suite 351 513-352-5354 charlie.winburn@cincinnati-oh.gov Wendell Young Suite 352 513-352-3466 wendell.young@cincinnati-oh.gov THE 2018 TRUMP BUDGET GOODBYE SAFETY NET BILL WOODS C hances are, you haven't spent much time examining the details of the Administration's proposed 2018 budget. Most of us are too consumed by the daily White House crises to do much else. New revelations about the Russian connections, the President's outrageous Tweets, and the recent rejection of the Paris Accord absorb our focus. However, certain activities taking place in the shadows of all the hoopla require our attention. The announcement of Trump's Contributing Writer proposed 2018 Budget is one such activity. Quietly announced while the President was out of the country, the proposal essentially eliminates what we often refer to as "the safety net." Not since the crafting of the first budget of Ronald Reagan has there been such a major assault on federal programs and services for those in need. Spelled out in cold statistics, the Trump Budget would slash billions of dollars from basic safety net programs. For instance, it proposes over the next decade to cut more than $800-billion from Medicaid, the major federal health care program for the poor. Over this same ten-year span, it would eliminate $192-billion from the Food Stamp Program. Finally, another $272-billion would be cut from various welfare programs including $21-billion from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program. That total doesn't even include domestic programs that are annually funded by Congress. Excluding (Continued on page 10) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Nick Shellenberger, Dr. Mark Mussman, Key Beck, Martha Stephens, Cam Hardy, Justin Jeffre, Mark Samaan, Jeremy Moses, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones Photography/ Artwork: Better Bus Coalition, Google images, AJ Newberry, Bill Woods Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �No. 35 8 3 LOCAL The Heroin Epidemic | J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 NICK SHELLENBERGER Contributing Writer H eroin ruins many lives across the country and is a significant issue in the tri-state area. This epidemic is only getting worse. The Hamilton Coroner’s office recorded 100 more opiate related overdose deaths last year than in 2015. Through the first four months of this year, the Coroner’s office has already recorded hundreds of overdoses. At this pace, 2017 will see record numbers in overdoses throughout the county. According to Dr. Sammarco, Hamilton County Coroner, there has been an increased in fentanyl related deaths. “Most of them would rather have just pure fentanyl, because of the high; rather than heroin,” she said. Fentanyl is a prescription painkiller that is rarely used by doctors. Dealers in the area have been lacing their heroin with this substance and many of the users don’t know it. Another substance known as Carfentanil has also been found within heroin. This substance is used as an elephant tranquilizer and just incidental contact with it can be deadly so one can imagine what happens when it is purposefully taken. Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine, while Carfentanil is 10,000 times more potent. “There is no quality control. You have no idea how much is going in, what else is being mixed, what other toxins are in there. It’s an extremely deadly combination,” Sammarco said. There is no denying that this county and the entire country for that matter is in crisis mode. This epidemic is hitting communities hard all over the state, resulting in public outcry over the issue. County officials, police chiefs, and Hamilton County Coroners Office Credit: Via Google Images Syringe being collected Credit: Via Google Images lawmakers want the state including Governor John Kasich to declare a public health emergency. “Eight people are dying every single day,” Ohio Representative Hearcel Craig said. “And when we say that this is a crisis, that’s not hyperbole.” Some members of the House urged Kasich to invest in treatment, prevention, and education on this issue. In Hamilton County, swift moves were made to help combat this pressing issue. Two organizations are making an impact, the Hamilton County Heroin Task Force and the Hamilton County Is Trump Good for Climate Accord? MICHAEL EARL PATTON I Contributing Writer ’m quite serious about the question: is President Trump good for the Paris Climate Accord? Put another way, do the chances improve of the world limiting greenhouse gas emissions precisely because Trump is pulling the United States out of the accord? This is counter-intuitive, but after looking into the matter I think it may well play out this way. Let me explain. First, it is clear that President Trump pulling out of the climate accord has given the agreement itself some much needed attention. The Accord was signed in 2015 and its primary intent is to limit the amount “Breakdown Stereotypes” of greenhouse gasses emitted so that there is no more than a rise of 2 degrees Celsius in average global temperature compared to preindustrial levels. A little bit of an aside here – while there is no doubt that there has been a warming trend, the climate accord does assume that the increase is entirely due to human Heroin Coalition. The task force was established in 2015 to investigate all source dealers of heroin that lead to overdoses. The task force has partnerships with all 44 police agencies in Hamilton County as well as a quick response team of 12 investigators working around the clock to stop the spread of the epidemic. The HC Heroin Coalition is a collective group consisting of law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, substance abuse groups, and faith based organizations to name a few. This coalition provides safety training and prevention strategies for communities to ensure healthy neighborhoods. Intervention and treatment is also a large part of the coalition. Former Hamilton County Commissioner and now chairman of the coalition, Greg Hartmann, stressed the importance of treatment when taking on this issue. "The big question for us will be on the treatment side," he said. "How do we find the resources to treat the people we identify through this process?" Heroin is a very addictive drug and treatment is very complex. There is no one answer to the best way to stop heroin addiction because it typically requires multiple treatment approaches. Usually medical intervention, changes in lifestyle, and counseling are considered. When combating an epidemic this serious and widespread; communities and local governments can be overwhelmed at how and where to start. Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil who ran for reelection last year; made this issue a cornerstone of his campaign and has been one of the leading voices in our community in efforts to stop the epidemic. “It’s going to take education on the front end, aggressive policing by law enforcement, and treatment on the back end to truly impact the heroin epidemic. Working together we can beat this thing,” Neil said. activity. Humans have certainly contributed to the warming, but there may also be other factors involved. Whether humans are responsible for all or part has nothing to do with what follows, so let’s put that aside for now. I wrote about much of this in an earlier article, “Weather Trends,” in the April 7 – 20, 2017 issue of Streetvibes. The graph “Global Land and Ocean Temperature Anomalies, January-December” is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and was shown in (Continued on page 7) “Eradicate Misinformation” The Coalition for the Homeless provides Education and Service Programs that help to portray a more accurate and holistic picture of homelessness in Cincinnati. We believe an educated public can be a more compassionate public, willing to dedicate time and effort towards creating solutions to homelessness. The “Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau” program is made up of individuals currently experiencing homelessness or who have experienced homelessness, who share their experiences. The program is designed to put a face on homelessness and raise awareness about those struggling in our community. To schedule a speaker, contact Dr. Mark Mussman at MarkMussman@cincihomeless.org. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 35 8 �No. 35 8 LOCAL The Problem with Equality | J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer C incinnati, like most places, institutions, and organizations around the world, is not queer affirming. I am using the term “queer” throughout this article as an in-group term to represent individuals (and groups) under the LGBTQI umbrella. Queer is not a derogatory term, unless you are using it intentionally to demean or hurt someone. Queer has been reclaimed by some (not all) of us in the attempt to create an inclusive term for those who have been discarded by society – a very real thing here in Cincinnati. It is not all rainbows – queer people are more likely to be unemployed, without healthcare, rejected from our families, and experience homelessness because of how we are viewed by society. When I was a kid, there was very little talk of homosexuality in the media. There were literally no queer role models, unless you were a quick-witty caddy gay man on Hollywood Squares or the forlorn and ineffectual character on Soap. It wasn’t until Ellen “came out” in the late 1990’s that sexual orientation started to become mainstream. Now, 20 years later, we are still struggling for our rights and the livelihood of the community. As a teen in Cincinnati, if I did hear about homosexuality, I heard that they were asking for “special rights, not equal rights.” In the 1990’s, the City’s Charter was amended to remove “sexual orientation” from the anti-discrimination clause regarding housing, employment, or public accommodation. This was known as Article XII and its absence from protections continued until a voterled drive injected “sexual orientation” back into the law in 2004. The same people who fought against our GayStraight Alliance at Walnut Hills High School did everything they could to discredit the equal rights movement. The problem with “equality” is that you should not treat everyone the same. If you do, you are acting without respect to the person in front of you. To have an active and genuine response to someone, you must acknowledge everything about them that is pertinent – and the history of this country is an important factor in that. When we look at how people of color have been treated in this country for hundreds of years, it is not enough to say “well, the law says they are equal now, so let’s treat them like everyone else.” This is a disastrous way to live. This is why parts of California are giving priority to ex-felons to open up marijuana dispensaries – they recognize the injustice and they are now working hard to correct the historical wrongdoing. I learned this lesson when I was a teacher educator at the university. Every term I would have a group of students who thought the best way they could be a teacher was to treat everyone the same. After learning about the social inequalities that students face inside (and outside) schools, students would start to understand that the most hurtful thing you can do is erase someone’s experience. Treating all the students the same will result in widely different outcomes for each student. Often students would write in the evaluations at the end of the term that the thing they learned most was that there are shades of grey between the history they were taught and the true history of this country. The other thing they would write was that they understand now that they must treat everyone differently, not the same. If this country treated queer people with the dignity and respect we deserve, the country would be so much better for it. As it stands now, the true greatness of queer people is suppressed at every turn, from birth to death. Every decision about applying ourselves is carefully measured to the response of the entire community. I kept away from arts and theatre once I knew that it was something that people would assume meant that I was gay. I felt pushed out of engineering and sciences, because those weren’t environments inclusive of queer people. I lost my confidence along the way, and I still work on it to this day. Just yesterday, at the beginning of Pride Month, I couldn’t bring We Have Pride, But What Now? F 5 irst, let me say Happy Pride Month. If you don’t know, June was designated LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/ Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) Month in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in Manhattan. Police raided a queer establishment and began to arrest people, specifically transgender and gender nonconforming people. Women such as Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy decided that enough was enough. They were tired of hiding in the shadows, being forced to paying off cops, and being disrespected. A brick was thrown and a resistance movement was made. The Queer Liberation Movement began at that moment, regardless of what Hollywood movies tell you. It was queer women of color that began the legacy that we continue today. So last year, when I asked you to reclaim your queer, that was my intention. I implored you to learn the history then carry the torch. It is an iterative process that we should all continue. Now that we have claimed our KEY BECK Contributing Writer Police Attacking LGBT protesters during 1969 Stonewall Riots Credit:Via Google Images queer, what is next? Personally, I feel we are at another point in history where there is work to be done. Right now, we are facing an erasure of our culture and history (not to mention safety). Hate has become the dish of the day and violence is the dessert. One example that comes to mind is the erasing of governmental webpages supporting LGBT constituents. The White House previously had a webpage for LGBT Rights, but it has been erased. Gone into the forgotten hole of the “netherwebz.” Another example is that missing proclamation by the President officially designating June Pride Month. It never happened. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED myself to wear a pride shirt outside of the house because of the looks and treatment I get when I wear it. Unlike the hatred spewed at people of color, I can reduce that by remaining visibly in the closet. When I wear a shirt with a rainbow on it, for example, the look in the eyes of white men changes. At first, they seem confused, then they are clearly uneasy. Then they do what they can to make things difficult for me, whether it be blocking my way in the grocery isle, or not responding to me when I am asking them something. Just from the difference in the way I am treated when I wear a pride t-shirt, I can see how quickly people become violent against queer people – it only takes a matter of seconds. So, during this Pride Month, please remember that it is not enough to tolerate or accept queer people – you must appreciate us. You must speak out at church or when you hear homophobic jokes. It’s about safety, and people with privilege (non-queer people) must step up and educate yourself. It is not our responsibility to humanize ourselves for your benefit. You should do this not just because it is the right thing to do, but because we as a country, as a world, are losing out on some of the best queer minds have to offer, and in the meantime, the exclusion and suppression of queer people has lead to horrible outcomes regarding health and wellness. There are queer people in every community in the world, and there have been throughout history. This will never change, but how you (individually and collectively) treat us can change. ------------------------ So what is the big deal? My concern is that all of these actions clearly promotes miseducation, intolerance and hate. The reality is that queer people exist. They are your neighbor, your coworker, your peer and your boss. It isn’t just about webpages and announcements either. Erasing a page and not recognizing a cultural group with a history is erasure. There has been legislative attempts (to some successes) to discriminate against the LGBT community. There have been an overwhelming number of bills introduced that claim religious exemption to refuse service to queer and transgender people. They are claiming due to their religion they should legally be allowed to provide a service to a customer. That means no cake for same-sex birthdays or weddings, no housing for homeless queer youth and no bathroom for transgender children in school. There have been reversals on laws that provide protection for transgender youth to use the bathroom of their choice. There has also been a removal of protections for LGBT employees and students. We can’t ignore that fact that trans women of color are being murdered at an alarming rate. As the GLAAD.org website (Continued on page 11) �6 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 35 8 �No. 35 8 7 LOCAL What Would a Visitor from Outer Space Think of Us in Cincinnati? | J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 I WENT TO A HEARING of Cincinnati City Council on June 7. We met in the North Avondale Recreation Center on Clinton Springs. I was rather surprised by the turnout -- a whole lot of cars in the lot and on the streets, a packed gym and a great many African-Americans. This was one of the neighborhood hearings on the city budget for 2018. We had an open mic. Over forty people came forward to sit at a small table up front and address the Councilors for two minutes, and I took a turn up there. We heard testimony from all sorts of people with sad, grief-stricken complaints about lack of support for city services and community organizations. Justin Jeffre came to the mic and spoke about the enormous growth of homelessness here. When I took the mic, I said that I thought travelers from space MARTHA STEPHENS Contributing Writer would be astonished if they were to hear us on this occasion: that in this great rich country, there’s not nearly enough funds for normal services, that we always seem to be about cuts of such services. A number of people came to the mic to ask, for instance, most feelingly, that Council allow us to keep our parks beautiful and in decent repair. We need our parks, they said. Children need them, everybody needs them, and they’re already in serious trouble -- so please, no more cuts! Why are we always about cuts, in fact? What to cut, how to cut, when to cut . . .. Human services, for the homeless, for instance, can’t withstand another year of cuts, it was said. Same for our health clinics, our roads, our community organizations trying to address the vast needs of the poor, who can’t earn a living wage in this town, can’t pay their rent, or their mortgages, or as one grieving woman told us, their sewer bills. (Some of us, in fact, may end up on the streets, or on drugs, or both. Some may be arrested and unable to post bond and eventually captured, for all we know, by our prison camps, so to speak.) I’M NOT AN EXPERT on city finances, but I feel that somehow we shouldn’t be so poor. We’re one of the poorest large cities in the country. In the state of Ohio, for instance, 19.3% of citizens are poor, but in Cincinnati it’s 34.3%, according to our own CityData.com. CityData tells us that 37.3% of blacks are poor here, 18% of whites, and of course people widely agree that at least 44% of children are living in poverty. In our high schools, such as they are, Superintendent Mary Ronan once reminded me, when we met at a meeting of a religious coalition, that 70% of our high school students are on free lunch, and that most high schools offer no AP courses whatsoever! (I have a granddaughter at the select school of Walnut Hills, which has a superabundance of AP work. Mary Ronan’s daughter was about to graduate there when we talked, but neither one of us were sure so select a school should exist, as fine a place as it is.) Yes, we’re poor in this town. We all know that much of the town looks like a war zone. People can’t keep up their homes, pot holes have taken over, weeds are sky-high, buildings are falling down or abandoned. Ugly, ugly! Why is this? I HAD ONLY TWO MINUTES, but I tried to remind Council and the listeners in the hall that one reason (Continued on page 12) MICHAEL EARL PATTON (Continued from page 3) that earlier article. Almost all countries have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to slow down the rise. The pledges vary from country to country and vary from 2025 to 2030 by which the initial goal for that country is to be accomplished. These will not be enough, as President Trump observed. After the initial pledges are met, the intent is to ratchet up the goals and continue to make them stricter until global warmer is stopped. The initial goal to which President Obama committed was a 26 to 28% reduction in greenhouse gasses by the year 2025 when compared to the 2005 levels. All pledges by the different countries are voluntary. There is no formal enforcement. Now this goal is a lot. I know because I have been working bit by bit for over 30 years to reduce my personal energy consumption. I am passionate on the subject, which you may have guessed from a couple of my earlier articles. I cut my natural gas use in about half, gasoline use by about three-fourths, but the electric use is about the same. (The last is because I added central air conditioning and bought a plug-in hybrid, which now charges on the house current.) But even if every individual did what I did, this still would not touch commercial, industrial, or government use – including such things as the military and public transportation. I freely admit I am an outlier in my personal reductions, but that also means that I have been paying attention to the subject. And almost all I see the government do is just tinkering around the edges. The Center for Graph of Global Land and Ocean Temperature Anomalies, January - December Credit: Michael Earl Patton Climate and Energy Solutions (www. c2es.org) estimates that the United States is currently about 1/3 of the way to 2025 goal, mostly due to reduced emissions in the production of electricity. Emissions from transportation are the next largest group of reductions, due to improved mileage. The reduction in emissions from electric power production is due almost entirely to changing Graph of U.S. net energy production/ U.S. coal production Credit: Michael Earl Patton THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED from burning coal to natural gas, as seen in the graph of U.S. net energy generation by type of fuel from the Energy Information Administration (www.eia.gov). Coal, being carbon, of course generates lots of carbon dioxide when it burns. Carbon dioxide is not the most potent greenhouse gas, but because there is so much of it created it is the biggest contributor. Natural gas is mostly methane, which consists of carbon and hydrogen. For the same heating value, it produces much less carbon dioxide. The hydrogen in the methane molecule creates water vapor when it burns. The graph of U.S. net energy generation by fuel type was shown in my article “Natural Gas Shortage Coming,” which appeared in the March 24 – April 6, 2017, issue of Streetvibes. In that article I concluded (Continued on page 11) �8 LOCAL The Better Bus Coalition is calling for a 2017 Bus levy J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 35 8 CAM HARDY S Contributing Writer ince 1972, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) has been locally funded solely by the City of Cincinnati. This was passed as a stopgap measure until Hamilton County voters would approve a county-wide funding source, which has not happened. As a result the bus system is city-centric, focused around downtown as the city and region’s economic, social, and transportation hub. While this worked in the 70’s, it does not fit today’s transportation reality. Downtown Cincinnati is still the largest employment center in the region, but jobs and population have increasingly grown in suburban areas around Hamilton County. The budget over the past decades has been made up of a portion of the city earnings tax, fares, state, and federal funding. Since 2009 state transit funding has been slashed to $700,000 per year, less than 1% of SORTA’s budget. Federal funding Cam Hardy speaks at Better Bus Coalition press conference Credit: Better Bus Coalition was halved in the 1980’s and currently makes up 11% of the total budget. In 2009, service was cut 20% due to the Great Recession’s impact on income tax collections and fares rose 75%. Ridership fell from 25 million in 2001 to 14.5 million today due to service cuts and the inability to connect to new job hubs in the region. Today the budget numbers are A look at the Metro numbers and need for a Bus Levy MARK SAMAAN L et’s look at the numbers here. We know that the existing bus system does a poor job in connecting workers to jobs that are not downtown. Hamilton County alone has just over half of all jobs in the tri-state area with 500,000 jobs. Of those, 58,000 are entirely unreachable by transit. 131,000 jobs are only accessible by a couple buses per day which run in the early morning and early evening. 130,000 jobs are completely inaccessible on Saturdays, and 150,000 jobs are totally inaccessible on Sundays. All of these jobs are in the suburban areas of Hamilton County like Blue Ash, Sharonville, Forest Park, Springdale, Glendale, Montgomery, and the townships. In past years SORTA offered many more express routes and shorter frequencies between buses. There was once a time when you could walk out your door and get to a bus stop without having to check the schedule, because you knew that a bus was coming any minute and it would take you to where you needed to go efficiently. These routes have been cut due to falling state and federal funding, as well as the effects of the Great Recession when service was cut 20% and fares raised 75%. It is no secret that service in the county outside of the city limits is poor or nonexistent. As long as the city is the primary funder of the system, this will not change. Contributing Writer Within the service and runs mainly from Mt. Healthy to Jeremy Moses Speaks at Better Bus Coalition press conference Credit: Better Bus Coalition hospitality industry, 36,000 jobs are poorly accessible by bus. 75,000 manufacturing and health care jobs are totally inaccessible by transit in the region. All told, 335,000 jobs in our entire region are totally inaccessible by bus with an additional 150,000200,000 jobs only accessible by transit a few times a weekday and only from downtown. Bus service on our local routes is slow. The 33, which runs up and down Glenway/Warsaw Avenues through Price Hill and Westwood, runs an average speed of 12 mph including stops. The 17, which Downtown through Uptown runs at 12 mph as well. This drastically reduces ridership from those who have other options, as why would you take transit when it will take 2 to 3 times longer than driving? Times between buses on many routes are very long. If a bus comes only once an hour or once every 90 minutes, it is very difficult to schedule your life around the bus service. When it comes to transit frequency is freedom. The more often a bus comes the more likely it matches up with your schedule and could be a viable option for you to take instead THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED grim. Fewer riders means less fare revenue collected. Dwindling state and federal funding means fewer outside resources to run the system. A tax base which relies solely on the city means an inability to run service where it is needed and demanded. Due to cuts in outside resources, SORTA has had to choose between maintaining operations for those who need it most and replacing its buses in an appropriate timeframe. Today the bus fleet is aging rapidly with many buses well older than the typical 12year bus lifespan. Buses run 100’s of miles all day every day in stopand-go traffic, which significantly deteriorates the engine to the point that it is cheaper to replace the bus than to keep on fixing it. SORTA is in a situation where it cannot afford to replace its buses and thus has to deal with exponentially increasing maintenance costs to keep the aging fleet running safely. This furthers the budget woes, with SORTA’s projected capital deficit at nearly $200 million dollars over the next 10 years. If these buses are not replaced, they will eventually cease to function and the system will implode. That would require a significant bailout to fix. We (Continued on page 11) of driving and parking. The only way to go longer distances in Hamilton County is to drive, and the quickest routes involve highway driving. Many people do not want or are unable to drive on the highways, reducing their access to different parts of the county. Additionally, many do not like driving and parking downtown given traffic congestion, heavy pedestrian traffic, and high parking prices. The easier it is to take the bus to heavily congested areas like downtown and uptown, the more taking the bus will be seen as a convenient option for those who would rather save the $10-$20 they would otherwise have to spend in order to park their car. This is how we grow ridership. Ridership has fallen 40% in the past 15 years because the service does not connect people to where they want to go, because a lack of investment into transit keeps the service slow and unreliable, and because our elected leaders would rather change the topic to something else when confronted with why they have done nothing about SORTA’s problems. We know what the problems are. We know what we need to do to not only save the system but make it useful for way, way more people. Our regional economy is being held back by a limited transit system and traffic continues to grow. How many more billions will we spend on expanding our road network, which none of us will ever get to vote on? How many more people’s properties need to be seized and lives destroyed in order to widen our roads, which none of us will ever get to vote on? As long as driving is the only option for most (Continued on page 12) �No. 35 8 LOCAL A Great Loss for Our Community | J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 JUSTIN JEFFRE Staff Witer & Editor It is with a heavy heart that I write of the loss of our dear friend Tom Dutton. I’m struck with grief and it’s hard to put into words what he meant to me personally and our beloved community. There will be more to come in the next issue of Streetvibes about a man that fought for justice in our community. Since I’m overwhelmed we’ll just share these words from our dear brothers and sisters at Over the Rhine Community Housing: “It is with heavy heart that we share that our cherished and beloved friend Tom Dutton passed away today. Tom was a dedicated advocate for justice and for the people of Over-the-Rhine. He worked in the neighborhood for over 30 years and founded the Miami University Center for Community Engagement in Overthe-Rhine. Tom was ever ready to use his resources to bring to light the inherit injustices in our economic system and how that plays out in this neighborhood. He always made sure that students and programs that he brought to Over-the-Rhine, while benefiting the students and the University, must benefit the community. And they have. Tom often wrote papers about Over-the-Rhine that were published in a variety of media. He called out the predominant mainstream narratives of Over-the-Rhine and challenged all to see how those narratives completely devalue the people who have lived here and the community that exists.” One passage from one of Tom's papers referring to an interaction he witnessed at the Drop Inn Center: "In our world where homeless folks are typically not seen, indeed they are scorned, reviled, denounced—rejected—it is powerful when one comes up to a homeless person, puts his arm around him, and says “I see you brother.” I submit to you, the lesson of this act goes unnoticed if we label it merely as an act of kindness. It is a very kind act, but it goes much deeper. This is an act to restore a person’s humanity. “I see you brother, can you see yourself?” This is the most loving of acts a human being can make." Tom Dutton Tom Dutton Credit: Over the Rhine Community Housing THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 9 �10 LOCAL J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 35 8 September 8 - 30, 2017 For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation A Bus Riders Need for Access JEREMY MOSES I would like to speak for a moment or two on the effects that not passing a plan would have on the disabled citizens of our community. Currently, Metro offers ADAcompliant paratransit service, known as Access, within ¾ of a mile of any fixed route, for those who lack the functional capability to ride regular services. It’s a supplemental service, but it only just meets the ADA standard. If new funding is not found – that is, if a plan isn’t passed to find new ways to fund Metro – then any reductions in the service footprint would be a minor inconvenience in the best case, and at worst – and I BILL WOODS (Continued from page 2) homeland security, funding for these domestic programs would absorb a 10.6 percent cut ($57-billion). Most of the affordable housing programs administered by HUD fall into this category. Facing total elimination in this budget document is the student loan program that assists low-income applicants to attend college. What more can be said about this draconian document? If Contributing Writer don’t believe this is hyperbole to say -downright catastrophic. Those within ¾ of a mile of routes that are cut would lose access to doctors, jobs, shopping, and other opportunities that other citizens enjoy. This would force them to move to a location that remains within the Access service area – a burden that some may not be able to shoulder due to financial constraints or other considerations. Those citizens may be forced to move into group housing. To many, that is seen as a loss of independence, and thus, a sign of decline. Metro and Access allow them to be independent, and for me personally, I don’t want that to go away. This doesn’t even count those on limited income who don’t qualify for the Fare Deal program because they don’t receive Medicare, but who need transportation all the same and would be negatively impacted by fare increases that would cause a larger chunk of that income to go towards transportation costs. Let me give you an example from personal experience. I have Spina Bifida, a neural tube defect that I was born with almost 32 years ago. I use my wheelchair for mobility purposes because I cannot walk. I decided at age 30 to move out of my parents’ home in northern Kentucky. I had several conditions that had to be met for any possible new residence, Ronald Reagan began dismantling what he derisively referred to as "the welfare state" in the 1980s, the 2018 Trump Budget goes a long way toward finishing the job. After more than thirty-five years of Congress whittling away at safety net programs, the enactment of this budget would clearly make the U.S. the most Scrooge-like country of all the economically advanced nations in the world. The good news is this document is a proposal, and it faces stiff opposition in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Democrats will take the lead in opposing safety net cuts, but Republicans will also want to put their own stamp on any budget bill. The bad news is that Trump's cuts in welfare, Medicaid, and programs for those in need fit the ideology of a vast majority of GOP Representatives. They will generally support this movement to eliminate or shrink federal revenue for antipoverty efforts. This dramatic push to dismantle the safety net should be a wakeup call to those of us who know the THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED and one of those was bus service. I wanted to live in a location where I had easy access to Metro (or TANK if I had stayed in Kentucky), so that I could move about as freely as possible. I chose Springdale, where I have two bus routes available for access to downtown (although one only runs six days a week), to my doctor’s office in Corryville and to any other location that I can think of. Can you imagine if that service didn’t exist for me? I wouldn’t be fully independent. To me, losing bus service would be a kick in the gut. It’s not one I’m prepared to take. We must act swiftly and decisively. Metro, and its riders, deserve investment, not to have this can continually kicked down the road while we wait for politicians to get their heads out of the sand. The citizens of Hamilton County deserve better. Thank you. ------------------------ need for the programs that make it up. Instead of merely having to oppose the smaller cuts that have cropped up in every recent federal budget, we are confronted by these massive reductions. Blocking the Administration's proposal and reversing this trend will require a wellcoordinated grassroots movement in communities across the country. It will be a very tough struggle, and it won't happen overnight. The first step of this critical effort seems to be recognizing the enormity of the task. �No. 35 8 | J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 11 LOCAL Dear Indigent Care Levy Committee: STEVE SUNDERLAND Contributing Writer often they are told that they came "too late" for treatment, the cancer has progressed to a stage that is untreatable. Cincinnati's indigent are dying at record state numbers, often in silence and out of the public's eyes. (1) What is the Indigent Care Levy doing to change this situation? The recent consultant's report documents that indigent care is going on at both UC hospital and Children's Hospital. Both hospitals show great success in their funding, improving their assets, and in their unrestricted funds. Both hospitals seem to have no difficulty in obtaining their low Community standards. Neither hospital depends on the Indigent Care Levy for anything but a very small part of their budgets. And, UC Hospital and Children's Hospital have public processes for access for indigent people. My name is Steve Sunderland, PhD. I am director of the Cancer Justice Network, one of the new programs requesting funds from the Indigent Care Levy. I have just retired from the University of Cincinnati as a former dean, professor of social work, and a professor of education. For the past two years I have been leading an organization that seeks to change the health outcomes of indigent people. I would like to take a few minutes to describe why I believe that Indigent Care Levy needs to take a direction toward reducing mortality for indigent people in Hamilton County. The best way to do this is to reduce the amount going to the hospitals by $5 million dollars and direct these monies to programs that can improve the care and lives of indigent people. Imagine you are an indigent adult in Cincinnati. You suspect that something is wrong with your health since you have recently seen blood in your stool. You arrive at a free dinner and hear about a cancer prevention program at a local church. You do not know exactly what cancer is, or how it develops. You do not have a physician. You do not know if you are eligible for Medicaid or the ACA. At the dinner you hear from a physician that cancer kills more indigent people in Hamilton County than any other place in Ohio. You are confused about what you should do since you have no money for insurance and usually do not go for medical care. You meet at the dinner a navigator, a person who volunteers to take you to a health center to find out if you have cancer and, if necessary, to treatment. There is no cost. Do you take their invitation to find out? Or, do you eat your dinner, leave for home, and continue to worry about your health. The above story faces thousands of people each day in Hamilton County who are indigent. Not knowing about cancer in specific, or healthcare in general, these individuals will wait until some physical event forces them to the emergency room. Too MICHAEL EARL PATTON that would be completely antithetical to his recent presidential campaign. And for this, President Obama must bear most of the responsibility. It was he who signed the accord yet he never went to the American people and said what that would mean for us. He must have known then that we were not going to make the goal unless we did much more than we have been doing. He left the hard part for his successor, and President Trump did not pick up the slack. Now here is why I am somewhat hopeful. Nearly a hundred cities, and dozens of institutions and companies, have recently stated that they stand behind the Paris Accord and plan to act accordingly in spite of President Trump’s pulling out. Several Cincinnati leaders have stated the same and Mayor Cranley said Cincinnati would lead by example. Assuming this is followed by action, that is what is required. Until now, everyone seemed ready to let Washington take the lead and no one seemed to notice that it wasn’t going to get us there. I don’t know why. Washington did a few things such as (a little) promotion of renewable energy, higher fuel economy standards for cars, and higher energy efficiency standards for appliances. But this won’t be nearly enough to meet the goals of the Paris Accord. As usual, politicians seemed so far to be satisfied to punt the problem to the next term. If this actually changes because Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement, then it will have been for the good. I myself am worried more about the depletion in fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and gas -- and not having enough more than I am worried about having too much. I think the crunch will be obvious in a few years if not sooner. The interesting thing is, the solutions to both are about the same. (One of the differences is that a fuel shortage would probably mean higher prices, which would hit those with lower incomes harder.) I wrote earlier about the coming crunch in natural gas; I see something similar happening with oil. The difference is that it is a lot easier to import oil from overseas than it is to import natural gas, which means that there is more flexibility with supplies. Natural gas requires special facilities to liquefy it for shipment and then to regasify it. These are expensive and that is why I think that a natural gas shortage will appear first. There has been a lot of hype about the United States being an exporter of oil, but that is very misleading. The United States imports far more oil than it exports. Even if exports dropped to zero, we would still need to import about a fourth of the oil we use according to the Energy Information Administration. Forget about “Saudi America” – it isn’t going to happen. Either way, whether you are concerned about global warming or a shortage of fossil fuel, we need to get going now and be much, much, much more efficient in our use. system. The system fails to serve the rest of the county. Old newspaper articles, city council documents, and prior county-wide transit plans have outlined these exact issues for over 40 years. This is not an unexpected problem that SORTA now has to face. This is a problem that has been exacerbated by lack of leadership and action from our leaders over the past 40 years. We as citizens of Hamilton County and Greater Cincinnati cannot wait for officials to eventually do something, as they have proven that they are unable to tackle the problem effectively. We the people are stepping forward to push for better bus service for all with a plan we can all get behind. This levy will not only help people who have no option but to take the bus. It expands bus transit to become useful and convenient to most of the county’s jobs and residents. Today there is no option but to drive for every trip unless you live near a major line in the city and are going downtown or uptown. Even when they want to ride, people cannot rely on the system for their commutes, for their shopping, or for visiting family and friends. Our bus system does not go where people want to go, it comes at inconvenient times, and is too slow or circuitous to ever compare to driving. It is only a convenient option for people who have no other option. The State of Ohio endows counties with the authority to enact a 1-cent sales tax levy to locally fund transit. The switch to a county funding sales tax model, in which 47% of the taxes are paid by non-county residents, would make SORTA a truly REGIONAL transit authority. It would pay for better service on existing routes and also allow for the creation of dozens of county routes, finally serving everyone. It would fund SORTA’s timely replacement of aging buses, allowing it to convert its diesel fleet to a hybrid and electric fleet and drastically reduce fuel costs and air pollution. It would fund Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes which mimic the speed and convenience of a rail line at a fraction of the cost and construction time. Finally, it would enhance the perception of Greater Cincinnati’s transportation system in the national and global marketplace. In the coming months the Better Bus Coalition will release its own bus plan for Hamilton County so voters can see what they’re getting for their money. We are calling for the placement of a 1cent sales tax levy on the ballot as soon as possible. The fiscal starving of SORTA cannot continue any longer or else we will have a real problem on our hands. It is now or never. Either we step up and properly fund our transit system locally, or else it will collapse in a few years. (Continued from page 7) that there is not enough natural gas to both heat our homes and buildings in a very cold winter and to generate electricity at the scale that it now does. Nothing has happened in the past 3 months to change my conclusion. As a corollary, there is not enough natural gas to do more replacements with coal to generate electricity. That is also somewhat implied in the tail end of the chart which predicts the amounts of electricity being generated by coal and natural gas will be relatively unchanged in 2017. So no more changeover to natural gas means no more big reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. I think President Trump also knows this and he chose to back out of the Paris Climate Accord now rather than wait until it was impossible to hide the fact that the United States was not going to meet its goal. Yes, he could go and campaign for strong regulations to force us to use less fossil fuel, but CAM HARDY (Continued from page 8) cannot allow it to get to that point. SORTA’s funding model is unsustainable. The state and national government’s policy of moving the burden of transit funding to local communities means less outside funding for the system. The near total reliance on the city’s earnings tax, which has not worked since the 1970’s, does not work now, and will not work moving forward, constrains SORTA’s ability to serve Hamilton County. Our elected officials have kicked the can down the road for decades and refuse to act. Since SORTA was formed in 1972 its problems have been the same: little to no access to suburban job sites, a tax base which does not allow it expand to growing areas, a downtown based hub system which requires most trips to transfer through the CBD, and the lack of a truly regional transit THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED (Continued on page 12 ----------------------- �12 STEVE SUNDERLAND (Continued from page 11 What the report skips over is what either hospital is doing to reduce mortality from chronic diseases. The report, and the hospitals, do not tell us how many people are unnecessarily dying because they have not learned about how the hospitals could help them with their cancer, their diabetes, their heart disease, or any serious illness. The report does not note that life expectancy around UC Hospital and Children's Hospital is 20 years less than other places in Cincinnati. (2) With the start of the ACA, the report concludes, the two hospitals have greatly improved their financial condition but we, the citizens, do not know where this money was spent in any detail. And, the report does not detail the ways in which the Community's health needs have been addressed in specific programs of education, prevention, or health service delivery. I suggest that it is time for the Indigent Care Levy to alter its payments to UC and Children's KEY BECK (Continued from page 5) states, “Victims of anti-transgender violence are overwhelmingly transgender women of color, who live at the dangerous intersections of transphobia, racism, sexism, and criminalization which often lead to high rates of poverty, unemployment, and homelessness.” So this isn’t my imagination, it is actually statistically true. Feel free to check out the info from the Office of Justice, Office of Victims of Crime (https://www.ovc. gov/pubs/forge/sexual_numbers. html). When we use laws and legislations MARTHA STEPHENS (Continued from page 7) we’re broke here all the time is that we don’t tax fairly the wealth of the city, and in fact give away money to the developers, in OTR, for instance. Someone on the panel pointed out that when the Kroger Company decided to build a new tower on the edge of OTR and a fabulous new grocery store, the city kicked in over eight million dollars to help out. Readers may recall that in 2015 Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen was provided a raise, just a raise, of $1.5 million dollars, according to local news. Meanwhile for the rest of us -what’s left of the middle-class, that is, and the working poor, the poor and the near-poor . . . what’s it to us if Kroger builds itself a huge office tower with a fancy grocery store MARK SAMAAN (Continued from page 8) county residents, transit ridership will not rise and the system will fail. How can more people take transit if the service is not there? LOCAL J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 35 8 Hospitals until the hospitals indicate precisely where they are working to lower mortality rates for the indigent in Hamilton County. Hospitals need to be held to a community standard that directly interacts either with patients in serious conditions and/ or with partnership agencies that have targeted the reduction of their serious chronic diseases. The tax paying public that supports the Levy would be happy to know the details about how the hospitals are making a life changing difference in the county in general and in neighborhoods in particular. For example, why doesn't either hospital have an outreach program that educates people at churches, health fairs, community meetings, and other groups about the importance of early testing, regular physician visits, and new ways of paying for healthcare? In the area of reducing cancer mortality, for the indigent, why doesn't the hospitals partner with community cancer resources and strengthen the prevention education? Funding the many programs of the Indigent Care Levy, the report makes clear, cannot be done under the present dollars if the same guidelines are followed. What is needed, especially at this time of anxiety about federal programs, is an Indigent Care Levy that moves to a network or partnership model aimed at reducing mortality and increasing prevention through outreach by the partner agencies. Changing the Levy's funding of both hospitals, reducing their allotments by 5 million dollars, sends a signal to the hospitals that these funds have to be accounted for in the struggle to reduce mortality. It also signals to agencies that want to work on prevention and treatment that their work has assumed new importance. Finally, it communicates to the tax paying public that these funds, precious because they can be lifesaving, are needed now more than at any other time. The mechanism for designating funding to the hospitals and the programs should include the following criteria: A. All funding to any program, including the hospital, will need to be directed toward reducing mortality from serious chronic diseases affecting the indigent. Proposals will show how programs are going to implement toward this goal. (See the Cincinnati Health Departments' "Top 10 Causes of Death in Cincinnati, 2001-2007." In Why do we die?: City of Cincinnati Mortality Data Project Summary. N. Maseru and C. Jones. March 2011.) B. All programs funded by the Levy must not be double funded by other hospital or agency funds. Medicaid already funds hospitals for working with the indigent in many cases. (3) Levy funds should go to efforts that are needing funds. C. A Community Evaluation of Health Outcomes Board will be established to review progress on a twice a year basis. Budgets for programs will be modified based on reviews. D. Hamilton County Commissioners should publish a public report on how Levy dollars are used and how effective they are in reducing the health crisis facing the indigent. that use “religious exemption” to discriminate against others, we are allowing legal and systematic violence against others. We are condoning using religion as a weapon. I know that is not the intention of religion, so why are we allowing this to happen? These are official allowances to ignore that people are gay, lesbian, queer, gender non-conforming/non-binary, transgender and queer. Sad part, it is beginning to work. We are currently on track to have more women of color murdered than last year. Now is the time for all of us to actually make things better. It is understanding that there is a learning curve to compassion, empathy and acceptance. But we all need to put in the work. That means discussing the issues that matter most. It will be uncomfortable, and you will make mistakes, but we all do. I didn’t wake up learning my LGBTQIA acronym, I had to practice saying it. I didn’t always know that Two-Spirit and Transgender weren’t necessarily the same, I had to go to discussion and mess up. I had to research the difference between Sex and Gender. I have to make self-ask/ use correct pronouns. It isn’t good enough for people to declare that it is hard to keep terms clear. We need everyone to put in the hard work. For too long, LGBTQIA people had to do all the learning and the educating. Not to mention the closeting, the pretending, the lying and the disappearing. No one is asking folx to show up to the gay foam party in a thong. Nor, are we asking you march in the parade with a sign and a unicorn. But, we are asking for the rights that every other citizen is given. We are demanding to stop being murdered. We are forcing ourselves into everyday life. And we are totally telling you that “we are queer, we are here, so get used to it.” on an upper floor and side-by-side with a complex of fine market-rate apartments! HOW CAN WE TAX THE WEALTH HERE and stop money giveaways by a City Council beholden to business? People running for Council in a 9x system, must appeal to voters in the whole city and raise a whole lot of money. I used to study the sums officials spent to win Council seats, but that information is no longer public. (Or if it is and you find it, please let me know.) Big donors own, then, in effect, our Councilors, or certainly try to, though of course some Councilors manage to do right by us even so -- Chris Seelbach, i.e., and others I can think of. Yvette Simpson, perhaps, but what do I know? So yes, we’re a 9x Council here, one of only 16% of large cities that are elected this way -- through at-large elections, that is, covering the whole city. This is widely considered the worst way to try to elect a democratic Council. Most cities have councilors from Districts of the city, or they have some District councilors and some at-large. IN ANOTHER REPORT FOR STREETVIBES, maybe I or someone can retell the story of what it might mean to have a democratically elected Council. Districts are generally rather more fair than 9x, as to who can afford to run, and as to the support elected councilors provide for their individual neighborhoods; but the fairest system of all is the election system called Proportional Representation. This is used all over Europe, i.e., and in many other countries. In 1987 the Cincinnati Rainbow Coalition of the eighties worked tremendously hard with unions and over twenty-five progressive organizations, to get PR on the ballot. This struggle succeeded, but then business and their Council friends worked to convince people that PR was too complicated for people to understand. In spite of the big money opposition, 43% of citizens voted for PR. Many remembered that the PR system had worked in the past to elect a great African-American mayor, Ted Berry, an honest and wonderful guy, but that then business powers had succeeded in removing PR from our elections. Mr. Berry, by the way, assisted in the 1987 Rainbow movement attempting to restore our PR elections. [The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition does not endorse political candidates.] This levy will make transit in Hamilton County convenient, faster, and more accessible to all. It will spur job creation and economic growth, as a well-developed transit system is very enticing to job creators and development. We the people must step up and demand that our leaders not only talk about the bus system during election years but actually do something about it. We citizens will hold them accountable and push for the bus system that Hamilton County needs and deserves. This is not a new problem. We have been talking about these problems for 45 years now. It is time to step up to the plate before the system implodes. Thank you. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ ------------------------ �No. 35 8 | J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 I LIVE FOR YOU STREET VOICE I live for you! I think for you! THUMBING OUR NOSE AT THE WORLD The definition of the word "untoward" Is Trump's exit from the Paris Accord. I love you! I hope for you! Now The Donald calls it a very big win I will die for you! In his goal to make America great again. I cry for you! I worry for you! I sacrifice for you! I pray for you! I write this for you! There’s no me without you! I love you! My only begotten son Rico, stay true! KIM GREEN 13 Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer But many of us don't think it's so fine To be the leader of the planet's decline. BILL WOODS Contributing Writer ALL LIVES MATTER AFTER ALL I BEEN THROUGH BEING HOMELESS I LIVE TO BE A PART OF HISTORY TOO LIVE TO SEE A BLACK PRESIDENT AND A WHITE WOMEN NOMINATED WHAT'S THE MYSTERY IT SEEMS LIKE GOD HAS A PLAN FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AND BE AT PEACE AND KNOW WE ALL LIVE AND WE ALL DIE SO WHY THE RACISM DOSN'T CEASE ALL OF A SUDDEN IT MATTERS WHAT COLOR, RELGION AND WHAT CREED YOU ARE THINGS MATTER TODAY WHETHER YOU WORK OR FIND A PLACE TO LIVE SO WHO'S SCARED I BELEIVE WE AS A HUMAN RACE TEACH OUR CHILDREN WHAT TO BELEIVE IN AND HOW I BELEIVE IF WE DON’T SHOW OUR CHILDREN LOVE WITH UNDERSTANDING WE DEAD NOW ALL LIVES MATTER KNOWING THAT ALL LIVES END, LIFE BEING SO SHORT WHAT IS THE FIGHT LET PEOPLE BE BLESSED IN WHO THEY ARE RICH OR POOR JUST GIVE RESPECT THAT'S RIGHT SO WHETHER YOU SUPPORT THE HOMELESS OR NOT JUST PRAY IT WON’T BE YOU SOMEDAY SITUATIONS MAKING CHANGES GOOD, SOME BAD, CHANGING ONES LIFE ALL LIFE MATTERS I SAY WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 127 Across Down 1. Fastener 1. Bird of prey 5. Female animal 2. Region 8. Board game 3. An indication of 13. Instep damage 14. Roughage 4. A short musical 15. Serf passage 16. Effect of long use 5. Epoch 17. Endure 6. Vespid 18. Mindful 7. Catch or snare 19. Martial art 8. Subdivision of a 21. Homework, in short written 23. Fresh work 24. Transmit 9. Strike with an axe 26. Creative activity 10. Zeal 27. Order of business 11. Painful 29. Introductory music in 12. Fret opera 14. Liquidizer 34. Large African antelope 20. Marquee 35. Narrate 22. Make a mistake 37. Refresh 25. Open river valley 38. A division of quantity 27. Rile 40. Scope 28. Association of people 43. Barb with similar interests 44. Relating to the sun 30. Section of a journey 46. Resitance to motion 31. Unification through 32. First appearance a fluid 33. Open vessel with a 48. Belonging to us handle and spout 49. Supply water or liquid 34. Outpouring to 36. Man or boy 52. Straying from the right 39. Bitumen course 41. Ship's company 54. Unit of weight 42. Kind of hawk 55. Enfold 45. Pit viper 56. Unhappy 47. Metric unit of weight 59. Squad 50. Digit 61. A forceful consequence 51. Endue 65. Relating to hearing or 53. Come into view the ear 56. Crossjack 67. Naked 57. Halo 69. Currency unit 58. Camion 70. Very angry 60. Send by post 71. Prevaricator 62. Motor vehicle 72. Particle 63. Harvest 73. Stratum 64. Large and scholarly 74. Hard tough wood book 75. A strong line 66. Consumed 68. Male sheep PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 350 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 126 J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 35 8 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 256 - MEDIUM SODOKU PUZZLE NO 256- MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 35 8 RESOURCES | J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 Central Access Point 381-SAFE Shelter: Women and Children Bethany House 557-2873 1841 Fairmount Ave. 45214 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 1730 Race Street 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 621-7265 1528 Race St. 45202 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 Other Resources St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 215 E. 14th St. 45202 4600 Erie Ave. 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 131 E. 12th Street 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 1125 Bank Street 45214 Shelter: Men Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men Shelterhouse 721-0643 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 411 Gest St. 45203 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 2121 Vine Street 45202 1437 Walnut Street 45202 Prospect House 921-1613 1805 Dalton Ave. 45214 Starting Over 961-2256 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 682 Hawthorne Ave. 45205 Parkway Center 661-4620 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women Shelter: Youth Sheakley Center for Youth (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave. 45219 569-9500 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave 45220 961-4080 Interfaith Hospitality Network First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 471-1100 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Housing: 241-2965 1522 Republic Street 45202 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 2401-2411 Reading Rd. 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP Advocacy Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 VA 977-6800 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 UpSpring 363-3300 Food/Clothing Health 2401 Reading Rd. 45202 First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 2825 Burnet Ave. 45219 961-0600 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave. 45229 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Our Daily Bread 621-6364 $100 for 26 issues Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1223 Main St. 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton County Office of Reentry 946-4304 138 E. Court Street Room # 101 First Floor Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 VA Domiciliary 859-572-6202 Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky 634 Scott St. 41011 859-291-4555 Want to advertise in Streetvibes? Cincinnati Health Network OTR: 1620 Vine Street 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert Ave. 45206 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street 45202 Salvation Army 762-5660 Medical Van 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 4230 Hamilton Ave. 45223 6037 Cary Ave. 45224 Shelter: Family 15 $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED You can support our mission and spread the word about your business. For more information contact Justin Jeffre at 513421-70803 x 12 or email streetvibes@cincihomeless.org for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 J u n e 16 - J u n e 2 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 35 8 S treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DAVID MCCANE SINCE 2017 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 ERIC VALDEZ SINCE 2/2017 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2000 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 KENNY BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 LOTTIE MANNER MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MARK SHEARS SINCE 4/2012 MAURICE GOLSBY MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER MIKE CARANO SINCE 4/2016 MYRA WILSON NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 1999 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 STACIA HOLLANDER SINCE 2017 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED � 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 2017 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 June 16-June 29, 2017 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: We Value Our People, We Value Human Services The 2018 Trump Budget Pg 3: The Heroin Epidemic Is Trump Good for Climate Accord? Pg 4: How to Respond to Panhandling Pg 5: The Problem with Equality We Have Pride, But What Now? Pg 6: GCHC Pg 7: What Would a visitor from Outer Space Think of Us in Cincinnati Pg 8: The Better Bus Coalition is Calling for a 2017 Bus Levy A Look at the Metro Numbers and Need for a Bus Levy Pg 9: A Great Loss for Our Community Pg 10: A Bus Riders Need for Access Pg 11: Dear Indigent Care Levy Committee Pg 12: Steve Sunderland Continued Key Beck Continued Martha Stephens Continued Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 16-June 29, 2017 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Nick Shellenberger Dr. Mark Mussman Key Beck Martha Stephens Cam Hardy Justin Jeffre Mark Samaan Jeremy Moses Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Better Bus Coalition Google images AJ Newberry Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF AJ Newberry Better Bus Better Bus Coalition Bill Woods Budget Cam Hardy Cincinnati Donald Trump Dr. Mark Mussman Equality Google Images Heroin Jeremy Moses Justin Jeffre Key Beck Kim Green LGBTQ+ Mark Samaan Martha Stephens Metro Nick Shellenberger Protests Tags Josh Spring Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/52dcc794b480d8daf423081bcf86ed8b.pdf 460b0082b6aa96e5d454089a9cf27cd7 PDF Text Text June 17th - June 29th 2016 | Vol. 20 Issue 13 (No. 332) advocating justice | Building community Photo Essay: Cincinnatians gather to show support for the LGBTQ community | 8-9 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Black Agenda Cincinnati | 3 We Have the Right to Choose the Limits Placed on Our Rights | 2 Jim Luken Responds | 6 A Place to Call Home | 5 Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.org Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL June 17 - June 29, 2016 | No. 332 From the Director: We Have the Right to Choose the Limits Placed on Our Rights JOSH SPRING Executive Director A s you have heard, there has been yet another mass shooting, this time in Orlando, Florida. Sadly, this is not uncommon. Truthfully there are mass shootings at various places on this earth every day. In some of these countries it is this country’s finger is on the trigger. When a slaughter like this occurs in this country it seems that there are generally two separate reactions and one shared reaction. I think most people are saddened and want such violence here to end. However, some folks react by saying we must go after whatever ethnicity or religion that may have been espoused by the murderer and other people say we must enact gun control. We see the crossed lines of circular logic: limit the access to guns so that fewer people can get guns and murder or don’t limit the access to guns so that people can arm themselves to scare such shooters and/or shoot the shooter. Now for clearer discussion, the push to go after the ethnicity or religion espoused the shooter only seems to arise when the shooter has color in their skin or perhaps is white, but has proclaimed allegiance to a tar- geted group of people. If the shooter is white, generally the discussion involves gun control versus arming more people versus better understanding of mental health. It should be obvious, though it isn’t to many people, that significantly limiting access to guns should happen. Really, it would be best if explosives and guns had never been fabricated. The human race has a real talent for creating ways to kill itself and everything else around it. Guns and explosives do exist and it would certainly be impossible to rid the earth or this country of them. But we could limit access. People love to cite the second amendment as proof that we have the right to have guns. It reads, “A wellregulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” So yes, if you haven’t fully read it before, you will notice that it is one sentence referring to a “well-regulated militia” and not simply people in general. That said, there is nothing godly or ordained about this country’s constitution. It is a document written by people. We don’t need it in order to know or prove what our rights are. For example, we have a right to free speech whether the constitution says it or not. Theoretically the purpose of a government is to facilitate people living and working together in such a way that nobody is treated with less importance than another person. Now, of course this is not how we see government play out. It is also said that each of us signs a “social contract” with each other and the government holds us accountable to it. The idea being that though we never actually signed something, we have committed to follow the laws and to not harm those around us. Of course this “social contract” in reality is not enforced so purely. Certain people with enough money and white skin do not follow it and have extremely little official consequence placed upon them, while people who work for progressive change and people who struggle to make ends meet are often accused of breaking the “contract”. So long story short: if we want (Continued on page 13) Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Peter Kobak Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Hundreds gather at Below Zero night club in solidarity Photo: Derek Bauman “Notes from the Front Lines of the War on Public Education” MICHELLE DILLINGHAM Contributing Writer C incinnati, Ohio has not escaped the ravages of the war on public education. In the last decade we’ve tried to inoculate against the takeovers and privatization we saw happening in other cities; A successful tax-payer funded total re-build of our schools (the “Master Facilities Plan”), passage of policy that every school be a “Community Learning Center” complete with community and parent voice in every building, and a teacher’s union who had successfully negotiated their working conditions – the classroom (class size, teacher ratios, intervention resources…). Victories like these have been significant and important, but are inevitably overshadowed by the war machine that is the corporate education reform movement. We’re outgunned by a supermajority Republican state legislature, operating under an unjust public (Continued on page 11) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Writers: Josh Spring, Michelle Dillingham, Camri Nelson, Bill Woods, Dr. Mark Mussman, Jim Luken, Michael Earl Patton, Justin Jeffre, Jason Haap, Elizabeth Brown, Ricardo Taylor, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones Photography/Artwork: Derek Bauman, Camri Nelson, Dr. Mark Mussman, Greg Hand, Michael Earl Patton, Jon Hargett, Aimee Willhoite, Bill Woods Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �LOCAL No. 332 | Ju n e 1 7 - J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 The Black Agenda Cincinnati CAMRI NELSON D Contributing Writer etermined to find solutions to the issues faced by the black community, 1500 people gathered at Woodward High School on June 11 for The Black Agenda Cincinnati. The Black Summit, an all-day event, gave individuals the opportunity to listen to motivational speakers and engage in forums that addressed the various issues faced by the black community. Keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Dyson, led the morning discussion that addressed two issues he felt were the most prevalent: gentrification and education. He explained how over the years due to gentrification in suburban areas, blacks have been forced to migrate to the inner city, an area with significantly fewer resources. Students in inner cities are held at a disadvantage compared to those in the suburbs because the education is significantly worse. “If you’re poor the school is going to be poor and the teachers who teach your children will not be as prepared or try to treat your children with the necessary dignity and respect that they deserve,” said Dr. Dyson. According to Dr. Dyson gentrification is only beneficial for the wealthy. After blacks were forced to migrate to the inner city, suburban communities have invested in developers who have rehabilitated the homes and sold them to wealthy buyers. This is all done without consideration of how it has ultimately affected the black community. Dr. Dyson believes that when the community learns to become inclusive and genuinely care about one another, the issues will be resolved. Many of the participants in the neighborhood forum didn’t agree with Dr. Dyson’s solution to the issues that the black community faced. They believed the solution had more to do with troublesome youth and investments. Richard Dukes, a resident of Avondale believes that if the wealthy black people invested their money into the community they were raised in, they could improve their city. “They’re saying we don’t have money, but black people who do have money are investing money outside the neighborhood,”. Dukes also believes that the Just a Very Weird Political Year or a Crucial Point in Our History? BILL WOODS Contributing Writer F ew will deny 2016 has been a weird year in politics. Who would have thought that an outrageous real estate mogul/Reality-TV actor would be the Republican nominee for President? The real question to ask, however, is have we reached a critical turning point in our country’s history? Historians such as Arnold Toynbee chart the rise and fall of civilizations in terms of their responses to the challenges they confront. They analyze how empires and countries have responded over time to major social, economic, and political challenges. Their successes or failures and eventually their rises or falls depend on the actions taken by these societies to deal with issues such as war, economic depression, or social unrest. How has the U.S. In recent times been responding to the challenges in its midst? A review of major trends prompts an answer of not very well. Our business and political leaders seem to be particularly lacking in their abilities to make decisions that 3 improve the economic, social, and political health of the country. In fact, could the emergence of Donald Trump be a result of the distrust and disgust that many people feel toward the so-called establishment? Although a majority of white males, who traditionally vote Republican, did not abandon the Party in the primaries, they, nevertheless, gave the raspberry to establishment candidates like Jeb Bush and opted for The Donald. After all, many of these Trump supporters have been falling further and further behind economically, and they realize that the Bushes and Romneys and their corporate backers have paid no attention to their plight. It may appear strange that a billionaire real estate mogul has gained the allegiance of so many economically depressed whites, but Trump is shrewd enough to recognize their malaise and to offer them simple solutions and an array of scape goats. On the other side of this year’s political equation, how does one explain the amazing run of Bernie “Breakdown Stereotypes” youth are an issue within the community because they are destroying the community by selling drugs and participating in prostitution. His solution is to address the parents of the troublesome youth so that they can receive the counseling help that they need. Another issue that was addressed was community outreach. Eddie Hackler from Cleveland explained how people invest so much money into the church but never invest that money into helping the community. His solution is to have a united church bank account that would hold the funds for the community. Whenever a city would be in need of a renovation they could pull from those funds. Patricia Crawford, a resident of Bondhill believes that people in the black community are more concerned with being independent than actually taking the time to save. Her solution is cohabitating which will allow for people to save or invest their money before they make the decision to live on their own. One thing that all participants of the forum agreed on was unity. They realized that in order to resolve the issue citizens of every community had to work together and address the issue to the city council members. “We need to unite because we are all fighting one fight,” proclaimed a participant of the forum. ------------------------ Dr. Michael Eric Dyson giving the keynote speech Photo: Camri Nelson Sanders? How has an avowed Socialist in his mid-seventies garnered so many votes and such enthusiasm when all the pundits knew the Democratic nomination was a lock for Hillary Clinton? It appears many Democratic voters were also opting for the less establishment candidate of their Party. They see in Clinton a person who feels comfortable receiving huge speaking fees from Goldman Sachs. They associate her with Bill Clinton, a President who presided over bank deregulation, who backed and signed a bill that ended Aid To Families With Dependent Children, and who supported mandatory sentencing policies that resulted in filling U.S. prisons with young Black males. Many progressives and young adults are thus fearful that Hillary Clinton is a candidate groomed by a political establishment that accepts the current, cozy corporate/government status quo. Now that the primaries are over and the nominees have been decided what are we to make of all this voter rejection of the establishment? One thing seems certain. This antipathy is not going to go away, and it does encompass different reactions to some very unhealthy trends in our society. Economic conditions are not working for average people, and we have a growing number of families and individuals living below or just above the poverty line. Income in- equality is as extreme today as it was after the Civil War when the Robber Barons held sway and immigrant labor could be easily exploited. At least the Robber Barons created jobs by building the railroads and companies such as Standard Oil and U.S. Steel. Today so much of the wealth is made by Wall Street and other high finance speculation often at the expense of jobs. During the post-Civil War era, business tycoons bought state legislatures and members of Congress, and that phenomenon has reemerged again today. The process may be more subtle, but huge contributions to campaigns effectively achieves the desired goals. Thanks to the growing costs of campaigns and the impact of Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, wooing “big money” outweighs doing the people’s business. Besides the “big money” issue, political polarization exists as the other factor that prevents Congress and other legislative bodies from addressing the real social and economic problems that face us as a nation. Rather than accepting compromise and negotiation as necessary behaviors to forge legislation, Representatives and Senators remain obsessed with ideology and with defeating the other Party at all costs. These major influences on politics and govern- (Continued on page 11) “Eradicate Misinformation” The Coalition for the Homeless provides Education and Service Programs that help to portray a more accurate and holistic picture of homelessness in Cincinnati. We believe an educated public can be a more compassionate public, willing to dedicate time and effort towards creating solutions to homelessness. The “Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau” program is made up of individuals currently experiencing homelessness or who have experienced homelessness, who share their experiences. The program is designed to put a face on homelessness and raise awareness about those struggling in our community. To schedule a speaker, contact Mark Mussman at (513) 421.7803 x14 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 �No. 332 | Ju n e 1 7 - J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 A Place to Call Home 5 LOCAL DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer T here are a lot of impactful organizations in Cincinnati helping to end homelessness, but one in particular, is doing some great things for our youth: Lighthouse Youth Services. This is not to say that Upspring, Project Connect, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and others aren’t doing great things, but the scope of Lighthouse is beyond amazing, in terms of the things that it does to support our youth. The work of Safe and Supportive, housed at Lighthouse, is what inspired the UPZ app. This week, we had the pleasure of touring what will become Lighthouse Youth Services newest shelter and supportive housing complex “A Place to Call Home.” Lauren, a young and vibrant Homeless Coalition speaker, shares how Lighthouse’s efficiency and care surprised her. Lauren went from living on the street and in shelters to having a supportive living environment in less than a week. She talks about how Lighthouse staff encouraged her to finish high school (and how they continue to help her focus on her goal of graduating from college). Lighthouse has had a very real impact on Lauren’s life, like so many others. “A Place to Call Home” is a monumental undertaking occurring in the neighborhood of Walnut Hills, near Lighthouse’s main offices on McMillan Ave. The goal of “A Place to Call Home” is to create a supportive and welcoming environment for youth who are experiencing homelessness or may need supportive services. Cur- rently, Lighthouse runs the Sheakley Center (on Highland) and the Crisis Center (on Jefferson), among their other service locations. These two locations provide essential services to youth (ages 10 to their 25th birthday). At the crisis center, there is 24/7 support for youth under 18. Any youth who runs away can find safety there. The Sheakley Center provides a safe place for youth 18-25 to do laundry, meet with health practitioners, and use the resource center during specific times throughout the week. Much of Sheakley’s services will be moved to “A Place to Call Home” within the next two years. It will take a great deal of work and support to get “A Place to Call Home” up and running. The building was built over a 100 years ago as a fabric and clothing manufacture business. It has high ceilings, walls of glass windows, and concrete floors. One of the interesting features includes parallel staircases that reminds you of an MC Escher painting. The old bathrooms are a testament to a time long passed, and the executive offices look like something out of a 1950’s movie, with bad lighting and off-putting wall paneling. All of this will be removed for about 40 supportive housing efficiencies and one bedroom apartments. On the first floor there will be a very large resource center, laundry, and a shelter for youth. The resource center will have computers and other amenities to help youth find jobs and other services. It will be similar to the one at the Sheakley Center View from the top floor looking north Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman but much larger. The shelter will be state-of- the-art with safety measures throughout. This area now is a parking garage and part of the warehouse. It’s hard to see what it will look like, but Bob Mecum, the President and CEO of Lighthouse, shows great enthusiasm when talking about the transition that will take place over the next 18 months. Bob explained the plan to relocate the Sheakley Center’s resources here, and move the Crisis Center to Sheakley. This will help bring the services closer together. In fact, the mental health services that Lighthouse offers now at the McMillan location will be just a block from “A Place to Call Home”, making it easier for youth and case workers to make meetings and appointments. It was great to see some of the financial supporters of the project at the open house as well. Sometimes you feel a disconnect between supporters and an organization, but it was clear that so many local foundations and individuals care deeply about our youth facing a crisis, such as homelessness. Bob Mecum did a great job making connections and helping to create a picture in our minds of what it will look like when it’s finished. When you meet someone like Lauren, and you feel her hope, courage, and desire to live in a better world, it’s hard to not get inspired to do something about homelessness. At the Homeless Coalition, we work hard to eradicate homelessness, and together, with our member organizations, we will see an end to homelessness in Cincinnati. ------------------------ Soon to be PSH Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman View from the top floor looking down Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman Double staircase Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman Executive offices Photo: Dr. Mark Mussma THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �6 LOCAL A response to the recent article entitled “Panhandler Like Me” by Jim Luken June 17 - June 29, 2016 | No. 332 L ast fall my son and I were at a sandwich shop enjoying a light dinner when an elderly gentlemen came in and asked the clerk how much was the cheapest sandwich on the menu. The clerk replied, the man paused for a moment, dropped his head and began walking out. I immediately intercepted him and asked if he would be offended if I bought him that sandwich. Graciously he accepted and this man was not hungry that day. I recount this story because Jim Luken’s story is about “another hungry person”. He tried to add credibility to his charade by not eating for a day so he was indeed hungry. Define hungry Jim. This half-hearted attempt to imitate a segment of our population to give the writer a chance to voice some personal snarky comments is clearly an example of blatantly ap- plying the First Amendment. However, his published opinions are just that – his opinion. And that opinion is sending the wrong message. Partway into the article he details his disappointment of a couple’s stinginess as they walked past him on way to the theater. Stingy – Really? Let’s face it, there are plenty of people who genuinely need help and there are others who have a different agenda. Just the other day I was leaving a garage on Calhoun and a young man was next to the exit gate querying every driver as the car window is down to insert the ticket. He asked for money quite aggressively and I equally aggressively responded by asking why he doesn’t just get a job. His response was he didn’t want one. There is a clear difference between this young, able-bodied man and that guy in the sandwich shop. Jim Luken responds: JIM LUKEN Contributing Writer I nteresting. I have been writing some pretty inflammatory stuff in Streetvibes for the past five years without ever receiving negative (or positive) responses. Now, the story about my experiment (and accompanying feelings) with panhandling have raised the hackles of at least two individuals: Anne Mitchell (in the previous issue) and “Anonymous” above. I'm happy about that. It indicates perhaps that people—even those who may have some negative feelings about the visible poor—are taking our newspaper seriously. I wish more readers would write us letters. I appreciated reading the opinions of both responders. It took a certain amount of guts (maybe ego) to put myself out there on Vine Street for three hours with a sign. “Anonymous” would have impressed me more if he had shown the temerity to put his name at the bottom of his letter. Apparently both writers were upset by my use (just once) of the word “stinginess” regarding the well-heeled folks who passed by me (usually without so much as a glance) as they headed for a play at the Ensemble Theater. I agree that it might have been wrong to use so judgmental a word. Maybe I should have suggested that these folks were exercising “frugality.” But I am a lifelong theater person. So in a sense, these were my “bloods.” I was disappointed, I admit. In the story, I made it very clear that I did this panhandling thing (risking arrest?!) in order to get some feel for what the hundreds (thousands?) of Cincinnatians who engage in this form of begging feel as they stand out there, doing it, hour after hour. I didn't lie about my situation by indicating that I was homeless or a veteran. I truly hadn't eaten for the previous 24 hours. Not only did I get to re-experience a little of what hunger feels like, but for three hours I got to feel the loneliness of begging. This is not about the panhandlers’ state of affairs, this is about Jim and his obtuse opinion that people are stingy because they don’t drop dollars in anyone’s hands holding a sign. My wife and I never give people money on the street. Yet last year we donated nearly $2,000 to various area charities. In fact, Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI) is trying to discourage panhandling and instead promote giving on a larger scale to support organized social services. Funding appropriate charities that provide food, shelter and medical care to those who really need it is how we as a community can move the help needle in the right direction. And yes Jim, people do have a right to “legislate” or at least ask how any money given as a charitable contribution on how it will be spent, it’s called accountability whether it’s a charity’s annual report or a simple cess monies to charity. Keep it up! I do much the same thing. But I also choose to make life a little easier for my fellow panhandlers by handing them dollars and cents whenever I can. question to the person inserting the bill in their pocket. So let’s set the record straight… If a percentage of the $45-a-ticket theater goers disposable income does not end up supporting a bona fide charity to help our community at an enterprise level, they may be considered stingy. Dear Jim: Given your narrow opinion towards apparent tightwads it can be implied that you support handouts. You may give to one, another, another, another, another, another, another and another. Suddenly you have one bill left in your wallet with a picture of Ulysses S. Grant. Uh-oh, now you walk by another and simply pass by. That person has no idea you just handed money to eight different people but according to your model and that ninth person, you are stingy. Welcome to the mislabeled club Jim. PS: Give to established charities, not outstretched hands and move that needle. ~Anonymous -----------------------Special thanks to Jim Luken for the countless hours he’s volunteered and all of the articles he’s written for our paper. We believe that our community is stronger when we have more dialog about the challenges we face. Thank you all for your generous support!] I will never apologize for describing [Editor’s note: we appreciate our those feelings in the pages of this pareaders’ support of this paper and per (for which, incidentally, I write -----------------------program, as well as their feedback. without pay). I will repeat my main “take” from the panhandling experience: Most of the better­ off passersby would rather I hadn't been standing there in front of them with my sign. They would prefer that panhandlers were invisible. The huge numbers of beggars today—in the wealthiest country in the world—are a manifestation that something is seriously out of whack in our society. If someone feels a sense of guilt about this, they can easily fix that by handing a buck to the various panhandlers they encounter. [Keep a wad of dollars (or change) in your pocket if you don't want to take out your wallet]. For me, this is a lot easier than just walking by the problem. And, I know for certain that these “donations” are not going through some salaried middle­man. It doesn't take a pundit to see that the poor are getting poorer while the rich are... well...you know the line. As my priest once said: “There are no undeserving poor.” Except perhaps for all those wealthy corporations that beg for, and receive, so many of our tax dollars.” I applaud all the ways that both of my critics choose to donate some of their exJim Luken with his sign doing an experiment to learn how panhandlers are treated in OTR Photo: Greg Hand THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL No. 332 | Ju n e 1 7 - J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 Hiroshima in Treaty MICHAEL EARL PATTON I 7 Contributing Writer time of war, that a part of the convention was violated? It is one thing to do so after the conflict was over, but another during the conflict itself when accurate information may be impossible to obtain and the information that is obtained may have been sent by a malicious party. The Geneva Convention of 1929, by the way, clarified and expanded on the treatment of prisoners of war. A representative from Japan signed this convention but their parliament did not ratify it. Here are two articles from the Hague Convention which I think are relevant to the issue of mass bombings of cities. It doesn’t matter if the bombings were by Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, or the United States as they all signed it. Other articles may also apply, but I am focusing on just these two. Article 22: The right of belligerents to adopt means of injuring the enemy is not unlimited. Article 27: In sieges and bombardments all necessary steps must be taken to spare, as far as possible, buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals, and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not being used at the time for military purposes. Large scale bombings over entire cities using hundreds of aircraft, whether or not incendiary bombs are used, certainly mean that there is no attempt to spare buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, charitable purposes, historic monuments, or hospitals. These all were destroyed in Allied bombing campaigns. And atomic bombs, by their very nature, mean that precision targeting inside of a city is meaningless. I include the prohibition against unlimited means of injuring the enemy because it is hard to see what it could mean if it didn’t mean massive or atomic bombing of cities and civilians. In the case of atomic bombs used against Hiroshima and Nagasaki there was not only the heat and blast effects, but also and subsequent radiation poisoning which killed tens of thousands. Here Article 23 applies: Article 23 (excerpt): In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden - To employ poison or poisoned weapons; … Certainly those who were working on the atomic bomb were aware of the dangers of radiation. It is another question as to whether those who made the decision to drop the bombs were aware, if they avoided asking about the effects, or if this information had been kept from them. Aware or not, this prohibition would still apply. In the end, I think the mass bombings of cities by the warring parties was prohibited by the 1907 Hague Convention, which all had signed and ratified. This applies also to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Should the United States then apologize? That is another question. Germany, for example, has owned up to its role in the Second World War and this is taught to the students there. Japan has been far less forthcoming about its role. Japanese school textbooks are notorious for ignoring the wrongs it committed, from starting the war, the atrocities at Nanjing, the exploitation of Korean “comfort women,” and the treatment of prisoners of war. Any apology has to be put into context and, I think, include mutual acknowledgement of failure to live up to agreed upon commitments. If treaties to limit and (hopefully) end war are to mean anything, we must admit where we have failed. n my last article I put the atomvoted against U.S. entry into both ic bombing of Hiroshima in the World War I and II, was also a pacicontext of large-scale bombfist. ings of other cities by Japan, But the fact is, countries do enGermany, the United Kingdom, and gage in wars. With weapons of inthe United States during the Second creasing destruction and even more World War. These were indiscrimipowerful ones on the horizon, counnate bombings that intentionally intries negotiated and signed internacluded civilian residences. tional treaties to limit the damage Such bombings had little overto non-combatants and for the huall effect on war-fighting capabilities mane treatment of prisoners of war. of the major combatants, and indeed Whether this was done under presmay have strengthened the resolve of sure from their own populations, out the affected populations. The atomic of the leaders’ sense of morals, or out bombs used at Hiroshima and Nagaof their own self-interest and presersaki did not cause Japan to surrenvation can certainly be argued, but der – it already saw the war was lost. they were signed. As stated above, I These two cities had little strategic want to focus on the Hague Convenvalue, and Japan had already suftion of 1907. Some of its conditions fered the destruction of dozens of have been strengthened since the its cities through fire-bombings. For Second World War, and overall its what it is worth, I did not find any general terms are still in force today. instances of similar bombings of citIt focuses on several areas, such as ies by the Soviet Union. I now want what makes up an army, rights of to focus on the 1907 Hague Convenprisoners of war, treatment of nontion, which had been signed by all combatants, ban on the use of poithe major warring parties. sons, protection of hospitals and reFirst, a little background. For ligious buildings, treatment of spies, over two thousand years humans protection of private property, flags have debated the questions as to of truce, and military occupations. when (if ever) war is justified, and if The United States focuses atit is justified, how it should be fought. tention on the Japanese treatment Sometimes the reasons given appeal of its prisoners of war, such as the to a higher moral authority (God or infamous Bataan Death March after gods), but there is always a recognithe surrender of the American forction that to motivate the population es in the Philippines. This was unto fight, there has to be more than questionably a violation of the 1907 a simple command from the state. Hague Convention regarding prisonNazi Germany based its justification ers of war. Now the question is, does to attack Poland in September 1939 breaking one part of the convention in part on supposed attacks by Polentitle the other side to also ignore ish forces on a German radio station. that part? To ignore other parts? If Only after the war was it proven that so, to what degree? This is a questhis attack was a “false flag,” that is, tion of proportionality, of course. evidence had been planted to place Another, more practical question is the blame on Poland. The attack ithow does one side establish, during -----------------------self had been a Gestapo operation. There have been different approaches to the question of when and how war should be fought. One of the best known is generally known as the Just War Doctrine. In brief, there are certain conditions that must be met for a war to be justified: 1. The damage inflicted by the aggressor must be lasting, grave, and certain, 2. Entering the conflict must be a last resort after all other means have been tried, 3. There must be a reasonable chance of success, and 4. The use of arms must not result in more harm than that of the evil being opposed. Those who opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 often based their arguments on the Just War Doctrine and said that most of the conditions had not been met. The Just War Doctrine may be thought of as an attempt at a middle approach to war. Some hold that the state should emphasize its own security regardless of any moral constraints. At the other end is Pacifism, most notably by members of the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers. Pacifists hold that war of any kind is not morally acceptable. Not all pacifists are of the Society of Friends. Amish also are, as seen in the movie Witness. GanGeiger counter from the 1960's, to be used for Civil Defense shelters. In case of danger of radioactive fall-out from nuclear explosions, dhi and Dorothy Day, for example, shelters were established for civilians. This and similar Geiger counters would be used to check if someone coming into the shelter had were notable Hindu and Christian already been contaminated with fall-out. If so, they would be sent to a shower to have the radioactive particles washed off -- at least pacifists, respectively. Jeannette those on the outside of the body. Needless to say, the inhabitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki did not know of the danger of fall-out, let Rankin, the only person to have alone have access to Geiger counters to determine if they had been contaminated. Photo: Michael Earl Patton THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �8 PHOTO ESSAY Cincinnatians gather to show support for the LGBTQ community JUSTIN JEFFRE Editor H undreds gathered on Monday June 13th to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community after the tragic mass shooting at Pulse night club in Orlando, Florida. Many people spoke, sang and counted the number of lives lost on that tragic day in what was one of the worst mass shootings in modern history. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims and to all those that continue to face discrimination, hatred and bigotry. ----------------------All Photos: Jon Hargett THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED June 17 - June 29, 2016 | No. 332 �No. 332 | Ju n e 1 7 - J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 PHOTO ESSAY All Photos: Jon Hargett THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 9 �10 LOCAL June 17 - June 29, 2016 | No. 332 For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition would like to thank 4EG, The Lackman and Lachey’s Bar for sponsoring the 2015 Streetvibes Music Fest at the Woodward Theater! THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Muhammed Ali and the Nation of Islam 11 No. 332 | Ju n e 1 7 - J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 some of the mythical beliefs of the NOI, one of which involves the creation of white people: "[O]ver 6,000 years ago, the black race lived in a paradise on earth that was destroyed by the evil wizard Yacub, who created the white 'devil' through a scientific process called 'grafting.'" Some stories about Yacub maintain the white race was created through a process of grafting human DNA onto pigs. More liberal members of the NOI may say these stories are meant to be "figurative," but it's unclear how these stories could be figurative without still maintaining a basic sense of divisive hate. Though NOI members say they believe in "Allah," they mean something very different from mainstream Muslims. For NOI, "Allah" came in the form of a man named W. D. Fard, the founder of the group who mainstream history records as a likely traveling conman who disappeared from record in 1934. NOI teachings include other strange bits, rivaled perhaps only by Scientology. For example, what "the white man" would have us believe is a "UFO" is actually a "Mother Plane," a giant and ancient craft created by the superior technology of the original black men. Modern movies about space aliens are just an attempt, according to some in the NOI, by white Hollywood to distract us from the truth of this magnificent ship. Stories like this, from NOI belief, abound. Muhammed Ali converted to mainstream Islam in 1975, but if his life and death are cause for reflection, let's not ignore the reality of the group known as the Nation of Islam. encourages all voters to confirm their registration status, so they are not turned away when they go to vote in November. Voters can check their registration online on the Hamilton County Board of Elections website, http:// boe.hamilton-co.org/ . The website also has simple instructions for how to update a voter’s address online. If you don’t have access to a computer, call the local League of Women Voters office (513-281- 8683) and a volunteer will look it up for you. If you thought you were registered, but your name is not on the list of voters maintained by the Board of Elections, you may have been purged. In order to vote in the November election, you must submit a new voter registration form before the October deadline. But don’t wait and cut it too close, register now. Registration forms can be downloaded from the Board of Elections website http://boe. hamilton-co.org/ and are available at all library branches. The form must be signed and mailed in. Registered voters most likely to have been purged from the list of eligible voters are people who have not voted in the last few years and people who have moved, even if the move was just across the street. Check now – don’t lose your right to vote! school boards time and again. In Cincinnati we thought we were safe because of taxpayer investment in our public schools. Support for levies have increased, and enrollment is up; young families are moving back into the urban core and want their children to attend neighborhood public schools. Yet despite proving the value of the Community Learning Center model, and even outperforming every other urban district in the state… We are not safe. The well-funded anti-public education agenda beats a loud and constant drum, “public schools are failures”. A corporate-backed “Accelerator Fund” was formed last March in Cincinnati, making the case with the help of a “study” that our schools were not offering “quality seats” and parents needed more “choice”. The Cincinnati Educational Justice June 14, 2016 Coalition immediately called them out publically for their pro-charter agenda, which they denied. Last Wednesday a man in a welltailored suit gave a 15 minute powerpoint presentation before members of the Board of Education. Mr. Earl Martin Phalen is a fellow at the “Mind Trust” organization in Indiana, the same organization that the Accelerator’s CEO Patrick Herrel was hired from. The founder of Mind Trust, David Harris, is a national leader in the school privatization movement. They actively work for charterization of pub- lic schools. Phalen Leadership Academies has been working to expand their “blended-learning” schools in Indianapolis and other cities, and now they have come to our district to do the same. Blended-learning incorporates hiring one or two teachers for an entire school and propping students in front of computers for the majority of the day while low-paid staff watch over the kids. Mind Trust specializes in recruiting temporary teaching recruits … their plan? To set up a temporary, low-paid, non-union, deskilled teachers’ workforce to ultimately teach in an all-charter school educational system owned by private and for-profit companies, of course expecting a profit from this “blended-learning” model. Dr. Doug Martin from Indiana has written an entire book on this called the “Hoosier School Heist.” A book exposes the corruption, scandals, and campaign financing behind so-called school reform in Indiana and elsewhere. All legitimate studies confirm that charter schools either perform no better or worse than traditional public schools. In fact, if charter schools were held to the same accountability standards as traditional public schools in Indiana and elsewhere, a good majority of them would be closed down. And, many of them HAVE been closed down right here in Cincinnati. Daily we hear about the fraud, waste, and failure of the charter school experiment in Ohio. So it’s hard to believe that in Cincinnati, once again, our local school board was considering a “YES” vote on a resolution that would create a new district-sponsored charter company to set up shop in one of our west side neighborhoods. Some board members said they first heard of the resolution about partnering with Phalen the day before the committee. Three days later a resolution to support the out-of- town outfit to open up a new charter school was before them. The Cincinnati Educational Justice Coalition sprang into action and worked quickly to get the word out about the resolution. On Monday evening the Cincinnati Educational Justice Coalition invited the public to the meeting to give testimony to reject the out of town privatizers and profiteers, telling us that we are not a quality district. Speakers from all walks of life testified; a special education teacher, a Dominican Sister, a retired teacher who had mentored children in charter schools, a social worker, a University of Cincinnati professor of education, a parent, a disability rights advocate, an AFSCME member, and more. We testified for over an hour asking the Board of Education to postpone their vote on the resolution that would have lican nominee. Even accepting his primary victories as in part an anti-establishment response by voters, most of us view The Donald as an absolutely unacceptable response. Since a Trump Presidency would undoubtedly make conditions in this country much worse than they are now, it leaves me supporting Hilary Clinton. Nevertheless, we cannot be satisfied by simply making sure Trump doesn’t occupy the White House. Just as Bernie Sanders has managed to prod Clinton further away from her establishment positions, we must steadily push her and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party to tackle growing economic inequality and the social tensions that it nourishes. Further, we must take advantage of the anti-establishment mood in the country and campaign vigorously for reforms that will revive democratic institutions and give them the capacity to respond to the huge challenges that confront us. If we fail to take action at this critical juncture in U.S. history, we will live up to Pogo’s famous dictum: “We have met the enemy, and he is us!” JASON HAAP Contributing Writer R eflecting on the life and death of Muhammed Ali has given America the opportunity to reflect on its anti-Muslim bias - particularly since Ali rose to prominence prior to the contemporary Islamophobia. What we are missing, however, is another, more difficult opportunity: reflecting on the religion that introduced Ali to the word "Islam," and that's the non-Muslim hate-cult known as the Nation of Islam (NOI). Like Malcolm X before him, Ali eventually left NOI for mainstream Islam, but too many mainstream Americans fail to understand the deep chasm that exists between Islam and NOI - a chasm so wide the two groups have virtually nothing to do with one another. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the NOI "has grown into one of the wealthiest and best-known organizations in black America. Its theology of innate black superiority over whites and the deeply racist, anti-Semitic and anti-gay rhetoric of its leaders have earned the NOI a prominent position in the ranks of organized hate." SPLC goes on to summarize Have You Been Purged? ELIZABETH BROWN Contributing Writer In the last few years the Ohio Secretary of State has purged thousands of registered voters from the voting rolls. In Hamilton County alone over 12,000 registered voters were removed, making them ineligible to vote in the upcoming presidential and local elections in November. The League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area MICHELLE DILLINGHAM (Continued from page 2) education funding model found unconstitutional four times over. We’ve worked hard but lost pro-public education legislation, and watched terrible laws pass swiftly. In 2015 a bi-partisan bill to make community schools a matter of state policy was flipped and turned into a devastating prescription for state take overs. Chamber of Commerce members helped draft a 66-page amendment added at the last hour, resulting in a state-wide “take over” bill, Youngstown being the first to fall into politically appointed CEO-control. The Cincinnati Democrat who had sponsored the bill and worked on it for over 18 months, ended up voting against it. The corporate reform arsenal has been well resourced and effective: draining the state education budget, high stakes testing, Teach for America recruits replacing certified teachers, vouchers, manipulating and outright falsifying outcomes to benefit e-learning schools, and seeding charters – where private investors make profits off sponsoring schools with no accountability, who expel and suspend their way to higher test scores. Ohio is known as the “Wild Wild West” of charter schools, yet despite every study, every scandal and every fraud exposed – they simply repackage the same “school choice, failing public schools” narrative and re-sell it to local BILL WOODS (Continued from page 3) ment make it tough to pass a budget much less working on complex policies aimed at improving “the general welfare.” This brief review of long term economic and social problems and the inability of the corporate and governmental establishment to address them leads us back to the emergence of Donald Trump as the presumptive Repub- THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ [Elizabeth Brown is the Vice President of the League of Women Voters Cincinnati chapter.] ------------------------ (Continued on page 12) [Editor’s note: The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition does not endorse political candidates. This opinion piece simply reflects the views of its author and not the Homeless Coalition.] ------------------------ �12 Street Life: It is What it is LOCAL June 17 - June 29, 2016 | No. 332 RICARDO TAYLOR Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor ‘N o such thing; it shouldn’t have happened like that! What it is!? What it is; it’s not what you thought.’ The statement of this essay’s title is for me, absurd, or, at least ridiculous. I say that, because in my thinking it’s not articulate. You can accept things as they are, or, make the difference for yourself. Being number one within one’s self, you have to answer the self-imposed question of what is it? What is it that my existence and essence are slated for? What is the purpose of my being? As in automation we answer ourselves with; it is what it is! The loss of creativeness which accompanies such a statement is within itself, a tragedy since the very fiber of selfactualization is comprised. To become convinced that it is the only reality, is the place where moral de- MICHELLE DILLINGHAM (Continued from page 11) Cincinnati Public Schools enter into an agreement with Phalen Leadership Academies to build a new charter school. We implored them, reminding them of the pervasive fraud, waste, and abuse that is common among charter school operators, that they share with the public, at the very least, the basic information necessary to ensure our children would receive a quality education. privation resides, depriving oneself of the ability to make choices, or to be satisfied with the negative, is the very first step of losing one’s character. All sense of identity becomes marred and one begins to accept the absurdity that it is what it is, without question? For me, a being in a perfectly created world, where we are taught that it is in fact imperfect, it is hard to accept the idea that nothing can be changed, or, that I can only accept it as it is beyond my personal conception! The nature of man demands that we question. Questioning the things, we believe to not be right or, somewhat out of place. One’s growth and maturity depends on this questioning, and leads to fulfillment and success. Yet and still, it can be and is often the idea of questioning a thing, leaves one with the belief that questioning is for naught and we just have to accept things the way they are. However, personally I think that if one were to just accept that this is the only resolve then they deprive themselves of many of life’s values and lessons. There would be no new ideas of enhancement for one’s life nor would one have objectives when their lives are interrupted by others. It would be ‘oh well, it is what it is!’ No change or chance for advancement, living in the hollowness of ineptitude (Stuck in a rut), how disastrous! Of course, something’s are a reality which cannot be changed, or revisited, for instances, if one were to burn a meal then it would be useless for consumption and therefore it is what it is would apply, yet that would not be to say that hunger is the only resolve! More food can be cooked! The reality therefore for me is that although things may at times seem bleak there is always room for adjustments, and just because the bleakness may cast its shadow, there are always alternatives in one’s acceptance of things. Simply put it is not “it is what it is,” better stated, ‘it is what we accept or allow’. After our testimony the maker of the motion was willing to “soften” the language of the resolution and change it from enter into a contract to “explore the possibilities” of working with the district. In the end Board Member Melanie Bates explained that the resolution before them to enter into “exploring” a contract with Phalen Academies is against board policy. She explained they only have one year of data, which is not enough to evaluate the charter school, a requirement of CPS board policy to sponsor a charter school. Despite this noncompliance with board policy, the board proceeded to vote and pass the resolution anyway, the lone NO vote from Board Member Bates. We are not sure how it is even possible for the board to move forward with the resolution to work with Phalen, since they do not meet minimum standards according to the board policy on sponsoring charters. The deadline for Phalen to apply for the state funding to open their new charter facility is June 15th. The Cincinnati Educational Justice Coalition will continue to monitor and oppose any proliferation of district-sponsored charter schools. Despite being outspent, and almost outmaneuvered, the Cincinnati Edu- cational Justice Coalition showed up, responded, and spoke truth to power. Special thanks to all the advocates who came out with little notice on a summer evening and spoke forcefully, and eloquently against the resolution. We are fighting for the schools all our children deserve, but we look for the day when we don’t have to fight anymore. [Michelle Dillingham is a member of the Cincinnati Educational Justice Coalition. Join us and receive action updates by emailing cincinnatieducationjustice@gmail.com.] Streetvibes distributor Ricardo Taylor Photo: Aimee Willhoite ------------------------ Now Hiring Caracole Caracole.org - Social Work Supervisor - Case Manager - Resident Assistant Cincinnati Union Bethel cinunionbethel.org - Special Needs Assistance - Family Service Worker - Teachers - Assistant Teachers - Cook Treatment Counselor - Equal Justice Works - Human resources manager - Legal Assistant - Dietary Supervisor - Patient Aide Lighthouse Youth - Assistant V.O. Nursing Services - Nurse Manager lighthouse.org - Staff Nurses - Multiple openings - Controller Tender Mercies tendermerciesinc.org Project Connect cps-k12.org - Chief Operating Officer - Resident Aid - Case Manager Workplace Strategy - Director, Individual Donor Engagement - Grant writer - Success By 6 Associate Hamilton County Community United Way of Development - Teachers Greater Cincinnati hamiltoncountyohio. uwgc.org gov Shelter House - Vice President, Marketing - Multiple Openings shelterhousecinti.org - Senior Associate, Non- Center for Chemical Addictions Treatment Legal Aid Society of catsober.org Greater Cincinnati - Cook lascinti.org - CDCA Out Patient Medication Assisted - Cashiers - Stock Clerks - Warehousemen - Sales - Assistance Managers - Fellowship Sponsorship St. Vincent De Paul svdpcincinnati.org THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �13 STREET VOICE No. 332 | Ju n e 1 7 - J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 Loved One Gone There is time for everything including a time to say hello and a time for saying goodbye Gusty Winds The sky was dark The sun was gone There is a place for everything including a place to laugh, to cry and ask for reasons why The arrival of rain made the gusty winds come To live each day surrounded by the people we love, never forgetting God is a blessing The air was cool, the rain felt good Is to know that having a mind to remember precious moments will always be a lesson We as people tend to hurt when things don’t go our way or grieve for things that are lost We as people must keep in mind there is never nothing lost as long as God is the boss As I embraced the gusty winds it felt good The wind is my friend, it gives me fresh air When it’s a gusty wind I feel refreshed and whole once again This is what happens within the gusty winds We must teach our children that as long as we remember nothing ever really goes away Teach them the truth about life and death and remember our experiences everyday Just remember that the good times always out weight the bad times And remember even though people aren’t with us they’re in God’s House and that’s fine! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer JOSH SPRING (Continued from page 2) guns, we have a right to choose to own them. This is just like anything else. There is nothing unique about it. We have the right to choose to own any material object whatsoever. This is true whether those words are written on a piece of paper or not. In the case of guns the problem is that some people have broken their “social contract” to other people and have used those guns to murder. Murder is not a right. Following the same logic, it therefore makes sense that we would choose to have the government enforce laws that restrict our access to guns in order to better uphold the portion of the “social contract” which dictates that we do not murder each other. In essence we would say: yes we have a right to own guns, just like any other object, but because we believe human life is more important than our right to own guns, we will choose to have our access to guns limited. Here is the trouble: as a country do we really believe human life is more important? Yes, if you asked nearly anyone in this country or anywhere in the world if human life is very important, they would say yes. But do we act it out? Consider one significant aspect of the answer to this question. This country has been at war virtually since before its existence. We have been in Iraq and Afghanistan for at least the last 14 years. We have been there and we have glorified the murder of so many people we don’t even know the exact numbers. We may espouse a firm belief in the value of human life, but on a large scale we do not act it out. We choose a fake “homeland comfort”; oil, money, etc. over human life on a regular basis. We choose military spending, fortune 500 subsidy, and luxury over human life nearly every day. Does it make much sense to think we are going to create significant gun control in a country that has more passion put into the rhetoric of our right to own guns or not than into the right of a person to be able to continue to live? None of this means we shouldn’t work for gun control. Quite the opposite. We must work on all of it, because it is all more connected than we often are willing to say. ------------------------ More on Hillary's E-mails The gist of a Clinton email was, If I didn't send her money soon, Hillary's whole campaign effort Would go into a major swoon. Not knowing quite what to do, I sought out a trusted observer. He advised simply to invest in A more secure email server. BILL WOODS Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES June 17 - June 29, 2016 | No. 332 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 101 Across 1. Cattle farm 6. Wooden pin 9. Cutlass 14. Ablaze 15. Mature 16. Spooky 17. Overwhelming fear and anxiety 18. An opposing argument 19. Rapidly 20. Kind of table 22. Pit viper 24. Pastry item 25. Chicken 26. Beer 29. Ness 31. Olympic field event 36. Pile 38. Breakers 40. Flat-bottomed boat 41. In a relaxed manner 42. Mythical cave-dwelling creature 44. Song 45. Affirm 46. Stead 47. Violence by an unruly mob 48. Erase 50. Rational 52. Single 53. Edible tuber 55. In the past 57. Plug 62. Bother 66. Pontifical 67. Frozen 69. A relative by marriage 70. Sports venue 71. Deplete 72. Baked in an oven or on a griddle 73. Cash 74. Female sheep 75. Measuring instrument Down 1. Ecstatic 2. A great distance 3. Three squared 4. Thin potato chip 5. Feverish 6. Step 7. Self 8. Writing style 9. Furniture item 10. Sobbed 11. Using speech rather than writing 12. Food grain 13. Cervid 21. To the lowest degree 23. Conjunction 25. Valiance 26. In front 27. Depart 28. Tripod 30. Knitting stitch 32. Box lightly 33. Oddity 34. Employee organization 35. Condition 37. Heaped wood used as a funeral rite 39. Jumping insect 43. Relating to the moon 49. Oculus 51. Self-interest 54. Come into existence 56. Unit of weight 57. Junk e-mail 58. Starchy tuberous root 59. Overt 60. Part of a window 61. Frolic 62. Sort 63. Smudge 64. Bowling alley 65. Pitcher 68. Sound made by corvine birds SODOKU PUZZLE NO 231 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 331 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 100 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 230 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 332 | Ju n e 1 7 - J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point 381-SAFE Bethany House 557-2873 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road, Cinti, OH 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 15 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 981-5800 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 Salvation Army 762-5660 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 Shelter: Men 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men Shelterhouse 721-0643 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Parkway Center 661-4620 Prospect House 921-1613 Shelter: Both Starting Over 961-2256 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Housing: 241-2965 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 2401 Reading Road, Cinti, Ohio 45202 VA 977-6800 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries 771-4800 Healing Connections 751-0600 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Advocacy Northern Kentucky Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 Faces Without Places 363-3300 Stop AIDS 421-2437 St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Health Center for Respite Care 621-1868 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 $100 for 26 issues 621-5514 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Hamilton/Middletown 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 2401-, 2411 Reading Rd, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both Interfaith Hospitality Network 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220 961-4080 961-0600 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Cincinnati Health Network $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED for 26 issues and a $50 donation 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-572-6202 �16 S June 17 - June 29, 2016 | No. 332 treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 LARRY FILES SINCE 6/2012 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER QUEENACELESTINE LEVY RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 2001 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 LOTTIE MANNER MIKE CARANO SINCE 4/2016 CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MARK SHEARS SINCE 4/2007 MAURICE GOLSBY MYRA WILSON NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 cincistreetvibes.org THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 � 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 2016 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 June 17-June 29, 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director “Notes from the Front Lines of the War on Public Education” Pg 3: The Black Agenda Cincinnati Just a Very Weird Political Year or a Crucial Point in Our History Pg 4: How to Respond to Panhandling Pg 5: A Place to Call Home Pg 6: A response to the Recent Article Entitled “Panhandler Like Me” by Jim Luken Jim Luken Responds Pg 7: Hiroshima in Treaty Pg 8: Cincinnatians Gather to Show Support for the LGBTQ Community Pg 9: Cincinnatians Gather to Show Support for the LGBTQ Community Continued Pg 10: GCHC Pg 11: Muhammed Ali and the Nation of Islam Have You Been Purged? Pg 12: Street Life Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 17-June 29, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Michelle Dillingham Camri Nelson Bill Woods Dr. Mark Mussman Jim Luken Michael Earl Patton Justin Jeffre Jason Haap Elizabeth Brown Ricardo Taylor Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Derek Bauman Camri Nelson Greg Hand Jon Hargett Aimee Willhoite Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimee Willhoite Bill Woods Camri Nelson Cincinnati Derek Bauman Dr. Mark Mussman Elizabeth Brown Greg Hand Hiroshima Jason Haap Jim Luken Jon Hargett Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kim Green LGBTQ+ Michael Earl Patton Michelle Dillingham Muhammed Ali protest Public Education Ricardo Taylor Street Life Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/9af64439b32b3d3ad4ea7fb5dc99e457.pdf 93fd91013d63dcaeb6bc56a859fc5224 PDF Text Text Aclion Urged to Prevent Welfare Cuis by lynn Williams As we go to press, H.B. 408 will be leaving t he House Finance Committee to go to ' the full Ohio House of Repre~entatives. lt has · already wormed .its way thro ug h t he Ho use Human Service Subcommittee of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee. As it raises its ugly ·head, this mean~spirited bill has so far survived intact. We need to put out an all out effort to stop and change sorne of the key components of it. Key components of this bill include: * 3 year lifetime limits to receive cash benefits , ., * lnsufficient child care subsidies: T ransitional child care will be guaranteed for one· year only up to 135% of t he poverty line. T here is no guarantee for non-welfare lowincome working parents. Many of these families are at or below poverty line and can not afford a mínimum of $400 p~r month far child care! This is NOT the time for state legislators to scale back child care when 125,000 recipients will be joining the wo~ force within two years.. What is going to happen to the children ?! !! * H.B. 408 eliminates one state annual inspect ion of child care centers. That will leave only one inspection to make su re are children are receiving adequate care & supervisio n! * H.B. 408 eliminates the earmark of 20% of Title II money being used for non-TANF · child care subsidies * Allows only IO hours of the 30 hours/ week work requirement to be used for ' education ' * Permits DA (Disability Assistance) to be provided people in substance abuse treatment programs, but ~ot if they are on a waiting list to get into a treatment program. Anyone who has tried to help a friend get into a program, or has trie•: themselves, knows how long the wait can be for a no-income person to get help. * H.B. 408 only includes Medicaid for children up to 150% of the poverty line. No mention is made of hea_lth care for low-income workirÍg parents aftér one year transitional Medicaid. And no mention is made period of insuring singl~ adults with out children. lf you are concerned, upset, and we hope, outraged about these plans to cut off surviv.al for poor Ohioans, we urge you to contact House legislators now!!! Call Speaker of the House Jo Ann Davidson at 614466-4847 to urge that the three year time limit for life be stopped. Call President of the Senate Richard Finan at 614-466-9737. You . Continued on page 3 The Parking Lot at 1215 Vine_ Street where Reginald W instead was re moved from under a car. Note _the fo rensic paint marking the area. Photo by Ja~es Hea,th. Woman Runs Over Homeless Man, Drags Him for Six Blocks Under H by Pal Cliflord lt was I am on May 25. Very early Sunday morning. The Taste of Cincinnati was winding dow n · on Central Parkway between downtown and Over-t he-Rhine. A woman drives in to park her car in the lighted lot at 1215 Vine Street. lt was then that the gruesome discovery was made. There was a human hand sticking o ut from under her car. Thirty six year o l~ Reginald Wi nstead, a homeless man, was wondering ~he streets near Race ahd Green Streets in Over-theRhine. One witness claims that he crawled out into the street and laid down. Others claim that he was walking across the street. Everyone agrees that he was then hit by a Ford Escort driven by twenty year old Amanda Wheeler of Corryville. He was run over and dragged six tenths of a mile: from Race and Green, down Rá~ce Street to Twelfth, across to Vine Street and then up Vine Street to the parking lot. Ms. Wheeler was on her way to the Warehouse, an .Over-the-Rhine hot spot at 1313 Vine Street with a friend. She knew she had hit something in the road, but she was too afraid for her safety to stop until she reached the lot. Witnesses report that the horror and shock were evident from their faces. Police claim that alcohol was not a factor. After finding Mr. Winstead, lot attendants quickly called 91 1 and summoned the police. lt took six people to lift the car on its . side by hand. Mr. Winstead was barely alive and badly burned. He was rushed to University Hospital. Originally in Critica! Condition, Mr. Winstead was upgraded ·t o Serióus and Stable on May 28 in t he University Hospital Burn Unit. He underwent skin graft surgery on May 29. The attending nurse stated that it usuálly takes severa! weeks iñ the hospital an d several mo nths after t hat to recover from injuries of this kind. She did say that it was likely that he will survive, barring any complications. Sgt. Steven Eggers fro m the Cincinnati Police Division's traffic unit is leading the investigation. He states that it will take approximately two weeks to inspect the car and compile the case. His unit will_then present its findings to the City Prosecutor, who will decide what charges to file, if any. Mr. Winstead does have a wife and family. "He was a really quiet, nice and articulate guy. He would do anything you asked him to," said Deni.s e Crew, staffworker at the Drop lnn Center where Mr. Winstead was ,staying. Streetvibes will,definitely follow tbis story and bring you updates each month: 1 $1 Coupon Venice Pizza 221-7020 Venice Pizza at 2801 W . McMicken is an mployment program that offers part time onhe-job training where individuals have an pportunity to further develop their skills and ave an experience in food service. The grou s non-profit. Present this coupon and receive $1 off ny large pizza. O ne coupon per visit. Minium free delivery·$8. ·call fór area and times. ot good with any other coupon. Expires 6/30/97. •v �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES The Tri Stote 's Homeless Grapevine Page 2 CMHA Holds Board Meeting on Policy Changes by Pal Clifford Streetvibes, the T ri-State's Homeless Grapevine, is a newspaper written by, for and about the homeless. lt is compiled by the Greater ,Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Vendors buy the paper for 20 cents and then sell it for a dollar donation to get back on their feet. AII vendors _sign a code of conduct before being given a badge. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. The Streetvibes Committee meets monthly to plan oúr issues and increase circulation. lf you are interested in helping or have a comment, please _call 421-7803. Staff Pat Clifford, Coordinator Donald Whitehead, Outreach Coordinator Frank Corrino, Vendor Support Ron Carter, Vendor Support Photographers James Heath Berta Lambert On Friday, May 23, the Board of the · Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority held a special session to discuss a host of proposed policy changes. Last month we reported on the proposals (Legal Aid Fights Changes to CMHA Lease Policies, Barb Hobe, . Streetvibes, May 1997). Sorne proposals include changes in who pays utilities, giving CMHA more power to evict tenants for violations and measures designed to aid the working poor. Several people from area shelters spoke to oppose the proposed elimination of preferences for the homeless. The homeless preference policy exists to give families who are currently living in _shelters or on the streets a hand up by moving them to the top of the waiting list. Many shelters use CMHA as their primary housing resource and the use of "shelter letters" tells CMHA staff that this family is in a housing crisis. The new policy would elimin~te these shelter letters and treat homeless families as just another case to be processed without concern to their status. On Thursday, May 8, . representatives of Bethany House Shelter, Chabad House Stielter, Franciscan at St. John Temporary Housing, the Facts About Homeless Familias~--~~-~ Writers Marvin Abrinica F.J.C. Ron Carter Pat Clifford Denise Crew Brian Davis David Dietz Harold Dopman Susan Eisenberg Sally Karl Sheree Kelly Estee Lackey-Harris Myron Bonnie Neumeier . Tess .Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Vera Zlatkin Volunteer Editors Marvin Abrinica . James Heath Barb Hobe Tom Mulroy Reter ali slories or inquiries lo: Streetvibes e/o Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street 1 Cincinnati, OH 4521 O (513) 421-7803 fax (513) 421-7813 e-mail: homecoal@primax.net http://cinci.com/gcch Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless _ and the Salvation Army met with Don Troendel, Susan Bailey Newell and Mike Harris from CM HA They met to assess .the need for a Homeless, Admission Policy in the event of the renioval of homeless preferences. Currently, research is being-done to find the time it takes to respond to homeless families and possible bottlenecks in the system. Homeless advocates asked the board not to remove ·the homeless preferences from the current policies until an agreed upon Homeless Admission Policy is put in place. 1n addition, advocates asked the board to consider putting a policy in place for victims of domestic violence. Many of the proposed changes would have an adverse impact on those needing CMHA housing to leave abusive situations. lt is clear to all that the budget tightening in Washington is pushing many of these changes. Many advocates and residents feel that in the rush to tighten policies and cut costs, we should not forget to have sorne flexibility to those in crisis circumstances like homelessness or domestic violence. Published by lhe Nalional Coa/ilion tor lhe Homeless, March 1997 · Homelessness is a devastating experience for families. lt disrupts virtually every aspect of family life, damaging the physical and emotional health of family members, interfering with children's education and development, and frequently resulting in the separation of family members. The dimensions, causes, and consequences of family homelessness are discussed below. An overview of policy issues and a list of resources for further study are also provided . The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families with children. Families with children constitute approximately 40% of people who become homeless, while on any given night, an estimated 20% of the homeless population are families (Shinn and Weitzman, 1996). A survey of 29 U.S. cities found that in 1996, children accounted for 27% of the homeless population (Waxman and Hinderliter, 1996). These proportions are likely to be higher in rural areas; research indicates that families, single mothers, and children make up the largest group of people who are homeless in rural areas (Vissing, 1996). ~Streetvibes Vendor Code of . Conduct Each vendor has to sign the following distributors. code to be able to sell the paper. 6. 1agree not tQ deceive the public by 1. Streetvibves will be distributed for a saying that I am collecting for a not-for-profit $1 voluntary donation. 1agree not to ask for charity or that I am collecting for the "homedonations -more than $1. 1 also understand less" in general. 1 will be honest in stating that that I will be able to keep 80 cents of each all the profits from the sale of Streetvibes will dollar collected. Future issues of Streetvibes go to the individual vendor. will be purchased from the Homeless Coalition · 7. 1agree that I will not contest territo- for 20 cents. ries with other distributors. 2. 1 agree that I will never 'distribute 8. 1 understand that Streetvibes strives ·streetvibes while under the influence of drugs to be a self supporting paper created by or alcohol. people who are homeless or formerly home3. 1agree that I will not ask for donations less. To help in this effort, 1 will try to spread after 12 midnight. the word and write stories if possible. 4. 1 agree to treat others with respect. 1 · 9. 1 understand that the failure to comply will not use abusive language or 'force someone wi.th any o( the above statements will result in to give a donation. 1 will not give a "hard sell" me no longer being able to distribute or make someone feel threatened. Streetvibes. 5. 1 agree that I will not supply copies of Streetvibes· to persons who are not registered �~ S[REEl"VHU:,s, The Tri State 's Homeless Gcapevine Page J . ' Welfare Action Continued 'lE~ \'~ t:e,o \.)\ ,~ ~ooD ~,A~~s ~\O \ O \N'E. LrARE' C onti nued from page 1 9.Er=-o~N\. can call free from t he Contact Center, 164 1 Vine St. For a more complete list of legislators to call, contact us at 38 14 242 . NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!!! lf you are reading this and thinking it doesn't affect you, ¡ust remember: many of us who are fortunate to have ¡obs are only one or two paychecks away from needing welfare. lf you are currently on the system, what better motivation than to call and write NOW! ,'N\ \ '. l.~\ U.. E\) . ~'oo0, Cv\$ E)(c.\~ ~~D C\4\ Le>RE N. 'N~,,... '-<01..)'~E. Mt> úJ, ~~<$oL\J\EL'1' G,C>t:>\( T\.\E. ~~ ,e,~ l.AC\< ~ \Ñ& ~~/:::..S,\'-I ~Et-1\T '<oU... ?' Oe>oo~, '1oV 'Re. ~ s~~P ONE! ofr M::,EQVb.,E c\l.,1.-0 0..~1 ~\? ClftS ltJ ~\)\~\\\Ot..J , Hamilton County Backs Down on Welfare Reform Slows Food Stamp Transitional Housing Progress Restrictions ~~A/'>\'5. . Hamilton County Department of Human Services has issued a statement t hat single adults who, are childless between the ages of 18 and 50 must work FIVE hours each week in order to be eligible for food stamps. Sorne recipients are still being told they must work more than this t o get food stamps. lf this is happening to you, if you are being told that you must work more than five hours/week, call us at the Contact Center at 381-4242 . A Call to Action from Chicago The People's March lo Proles/ Public Housing Policies June 19, 1991 The Coalition to Protect Public Housing is sponsoring a mass protest to proposed public housing changes and policies which will effect the poorest of the poor. We shall not be taken for granted and we shall not be moved! March and demonstration starts at 11 am at various public housing sites. The rally begins at 12:30 pm in Grant Parle. There will be transportation available from Cincinnati. Call 421-7803 for more information. by Sal/y Karl T ransitional housing provides a bridge between homelessness (living in a shelter) and permanent housing. Cincinnati has a number of good programs. Each program typically addresses a particular segment of the population. One such agency is T om Geiger Guest House. TGGH , working in partnership with the YWCA and Bethany House Services offers I, 2, and 3 bedroom completely furnished apartments to women and their children. The program fee is 30% of the resident's ad¡usted gross income. The apartments are clean, safe and secure. The building is centrally located to schools and hospitals on the main bus line. Mo re importantly, women and children living there receive a variety of supportive services such as parenting skills, self-esteem, money management, _and on-going advocate and group support. The Comprehensive Care for the Homeless medical team visits the sit e every other Thursday providing medical care for women and children. In addition, the Ci nci nnati Public Schools offers Pro¡ect Connect three afternoons a week. A visiting tutor works with the children and their homework to keep t hem up with school wo rk in what might be a tough time in thei r yo ung live s. The th rust of this transitional facility has been to enable women to finish GED's, work on a college degree and/or obtain job t raining in order to become self-supportive and mainstream into society and permanent housing. Recent changes in the welfare system have dramatically reduced the women's ability to make the commitment to try to further their education and ¡ob skills. Because of the need to work 20 - 30 hours each week, the issues of child care and paying for child care, transportation (lack of) to and from daycare, school and ¡ob sites, it is almost impossible for a women with several children to even consider going to school. An example of a typical niom: she leaves the building each week-day shortly after 6:00 a.m. toting the infant to a daycare; then to the school for the school age child. She then goes to her school for the day. Late-afternoon is the t rip in reverse. AII this by public transportation , arriving home close to 6:00 p. m. to fix din ner, do homework and attempt a family life. Now enter Welfare Reform. Mom w ill most likely give up on school for hersetf. Her 20 - 30 hours a week job will cancel out time for school after all the bus trips with children, daycare and her child's schooling. Forget about an education and a good job, dreams of a home of their own someday. Welfare Reform changes make it so difficult! Agencies such as TGGH that have bee impacting homelessness in a positive manner are now havi ng to look at their programs t o see what changes need to be made in order to contin ue to serve their clients in a constructive way. To continue to be more than just a place to live. W elfare Refo rm! Could it be that these latest so called refo rms are just another way to keep the poor, poor and the undereducated stuck in neutral? Subscribe to Streetvibes Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be purchased for $12 per year. Please send a check to the below address and the paper will be mailed to you each issue. Your subscription helps keep our paper alive. Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 4521 O Please make checks payable to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless--Streetvibes. lf you have any questions, call the office at 421 ;.7803. �Find these words in the puzzle: Word Search p M A T s N o p w R o I T I N L E E y A L H A V o I e B I A L w A e E R I A e e o o o o F I p H E T H T E A G s T N V N s N E R I E s o R s L o E J u E N I N N A E u A V J s E o o o B o M I H o H s H Cincinnati Homeless Housing Foodstamp Vendor Water Law Sad Coalition Ohio June Year Feet Shoes VCR AIDS Health Van. Money Facts About Ohio: Minimum Wage and Housing 196% of the current federal minimum wage of $4.75--almost two times--is necessary to afford a two bedroom apartment in Ohio. Even after the minimum wage is increased next summer, more than one and a half times the increased minimum wage will be necessary to afford a 2-bedroom apartment. Workers need to earn $9.32 an hour to afford to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Ohio. Statistics from the National Low lncome Housing Coalition, Out of Reach, 1996. You Are Not Forgotton, Veteran ACTION UPDATE: Cincinnati Living Wage Campaign by Gregory Paytonl Vietnam Era Veteran The month of June is special, because veterans administration marks its tenth anniversary in giving and providing services to its own homeless veterans. Whether you served in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Persian Gulf or from November 1941 through June 1997, they're here for you, man or woman. You need to see how they can help you in your needs. You can go over to the Veteran Hospital on 3200 Vine St. or the Drop-lnn Center on Thursday at 217 W. 12th St. and talk to lola Green, homeless veteran coordinator. Come learn how to prevent the cycle of homelessness through treatment, support and financia! assistance. Whatever the reason: shortage of low income housing, extended periods of unemployment, post-military psychiatric disorder, community Whal is a living wage? Communities around the country are working to pass laws that would set fair wage and benefit standards. A living wage is not the minimum wage; you cannot feed your family by working full time and earning the current minimum wage of $9,880 per year. A living wage is the minimum amount of money a full time worker must earn to feed, clothe and house his or her family. adjustment problems, war and non-war related traumatic experiences or maybe low selfesteem. The health care for homeless veterans can help you, if you give them a chance. Remember, when we called, you carne. When we asked, you signed. When we taught, you trained. When we said there, you went. When we said fight, you did. You answered the call that taught us all To step up and step forward, To treat freedom as a gift from God. You served you God, your country With honor, dignity, and grace. Let them help you with the problems you face. íl t ) Upcoming events in Cincinnali · F Neighborhood leaders and representatives from the living wage campaign are planning summer workshops throughout Greater Cincinnati. The purpose of the workshops is to foster discussion about a living wage and ways citizens can get involved. A resolution to support "managed competition" is currently before the Cincinnati City Council. This resolution would set a living wage pay for ali contracts with the City of Cincinnati. In September, the citywide public forum will provide a large outlet for debate and discussion concerning the need for a living wage in Cincinnati. One focus will be· taking the living wage campaign beyond the governmental level to encourage prívate companies to offer living wage pay voluntarily. · Community leaders are planning to distribute information and surveys at summer · and fall festivals, speak at neighborhood asso- · ciation meetings, and find ways to· involve théir neighbors in promoting a living wage for ::_. · -·.. Cincinnati all throughout this summer and· fall.'" To help spread the word aboun.h~ -, :_i¡,,. Cincinnati Living Wage Camp~Jgn,; calt.C?-~~ .~/; . ,, Christenson at 721r:~~~~¡9[1~~~1y1r~íls~l13F, .., -1 ,:·,fr/~ 421-1846. . # •i. :. B t a i: t s . VA Homeless Worker lola Green serves the homeless veterans with counseling and placement. ' E E E íl 1997 Bengals Scrimmage Fundraiser July 26, Georgetown, KY . Mark Y(?.Ur calendars now for the meal will, be cater;d,for ali participants. annua_l Bengals _Scrimmage Fundjaiser for the Also, Coach Bruc~ Co.slet will be on hand to Homéles~-~oa.litión this July. ,'st _ ,_ .. -_ give .~ri ove~i~~~of ~he _ St.ri~mag~ ~nd .. This ye~r's evel'.lt is ,new a~d imprQv_ed. : _ answ~r qu_estions!- AI_I_th,is for only $,50._ Busses will b~ provided ,to _~ra.11~por,t peopie . -~ _ Call the HomeleS,$, -~oaÍ!tion át 42Jto the net~i11g~~~. Trai_ni:~_g _C:_~,ij1p ~"cilj9'}tt-," :--,/803for _more information' ·~~ to make your reservat1ons now. Georgetown, KY--ncf"parking hassles. A íl s r e J 1 e r �STREETVIBES 1 The Tri State s Home/ess Grapevine Page 5 The Ending of My Denial by Donald Whílehead Years ago I started unknowingly on a path of a career in social justice. 1 have believed for most of that time that if I could get the word out, people would come around, and things would change. 1 have dedicated the last two years of my life to getting the word out and change perceptions and stereotypes. Recently I traveled to Washington D.C our nations cap.ital, -the place were most of , · those people who need to know work. Nor-mally in my travels as a homeless advocate, there has been very little time to see the cities 1 traveled to. My only impressions of the cities have been what I saw flying in or flying out. This trip was a little different, imagine my enthusiasm and anticipation when I realized 1 would get to tour our nations capital. 1 had· been to Washington before, as a six grader, my by Dávid Díelz view of life was a little different at that time. 1 remember seeing the Washington monument, the White House and the Smithsonian. This On June 14th the Buckeye Forest tour was about monuments or museum Council (BFC), a statewide forest advocacy regardless of how grand they were. 1 was not group, will be opening its Cincinnati satellite •office. The dream of a Southwest Ohio disappointed by these national treasures. My disappointment was what 1_saw between the regional office has become a reality. 1 have had the honor of being associated with the Buckmonuments and museums. 1 saw many people wandering the streets with only a grocery cart eye Forest Council since the fall of 1994. l'm to hold their .currently a member of the coordinating meager belongcouncil and have been one of the many ings. 1 saw park volunteers who has worked to rehabilitate a vacaQt storefront on Elm St. after park that was home to its As a volunteer of the BFC, l've had the many inhabitopportunity to stand up and speak out for ants. 1 saw Ohio's native forests. Our major challenge as • CCNV the an organi.zation is to raise awareness about the inherent worth of wildlands in Ohio. Most world largest · homeless Ohioans agree that our forests are beautiful shelter with and forest products are an integral part of 1300 residents. Ohio's economy, but many don't understand our native forests are integral to our very 1 went from the initial joy and anticipation to disappointment and from their my next survival. The oxygen in our air and clean emotion was anger. My anger was that this water in our streams and watertables are the much suffering existed in the capital of the produce of Ohio's wild remnant forests. lf we . richest country in the world the place where it don't increase our respect and understanding all happens, 1was also angry at myself for of our diversé forests, we'II be the next species on the -endangered list. being so naive. AII this time I have been wasting my energy, believing that the lack of BFC's Athens headquarters have been leading frugal and highly successful citizen knowledge was the biggest factor in the systematic failure to help this countries less campaigns to protect our public lands from fortunate. How could they not know, every abusive logging and mining pro¡ects. Our time they drjve to work these conditions stare statewide focus this year is to empower co~lfield citizens to learn and take advantage of them right in the face. Confronted with the reality that knowltheir rights when they face the issues ·o f edge of the condi+lons which the poor face Qn property damage and mining related illness. a daily basis are readily available we are faced Our Over-the-Rhine office will be specifically with a dilemma. This problem is easily adfocusing on creating model programs for dressed if knowledge isn't the problem the sustainable development. problem must be concern. While lip service is ~Environmentalists are often accused of always given about our legislators' concern for stealing people's ,jobs. The Buckeye Forest the poor, the actions suggest otherwise. We Council is looking to refute that myth by must not continue to concern our selves with providing practiéal dignified alternatives to the how they should act, we must demand that current short term extractive goals of the they act. We can no longer ask them to care, logging and wood pulp industries. Our first we must force them to care, we must exercise economic development project is called our right to vote. There are more poor Martha's Woodshop. Martha's Woodshop is an innovative people than rich people in ·this country, we must make our voic~s heard. My next two project using 100% recycled and salvaged solid _ years or however many more it takes will be wood. As a first phase of this project we will dedicated not to letting them know but making offer ·free woodworking classes to youth age 16-25 in the Over the Rhine and West end them care or making them unemployed like so area. Our long term goal is to provide job many others in this country!!! opportunities in craft making, craft sales and Members of the Buckeye ForestCou ncil rehabilitate their new office on Elm Street. Photo by James Heath. Buckeye Forest Council Opens Cincinnati Office housing rehabilitation work. Most of the wood we use will come from discarded shipping pallets that currently litter the neighborhood. Our first products will be ¡ewelry, boxes and picture frames. The wood in pallets is often high quality hardwood including-oak, cherry, ash, walnut and mahogany. The prototypes we are making look wonderful! Be on the look out for Buckeye Forest Council streetvendors in the coming year. Our office includes gallery space on the walls. The first show is a series of Photographs comparing El Salvador and Cincinnati by OTR based photographer James Heath. .lf you would like to attend our opening or would like more information about our programs please call 665-4900. To a Single Mother by Susan Eísenberg When the just-changed diaper must be changed again, when a plate of spaghetti is dropped deliberately onto the kitchen floor noodle by noodle, when the phone ringing at bedtime snaps the spell of stories and songs, tension topping a hundred three1think of you two sharing a one-room flat. Mother and Child: the Madonna Myth. No partner to cut the burdens by half. No family to step in at overload. No door to quietly close crying infant safely in her crib for a moment's solitude, a cup of tea. Who honors your marathon of · daily life? - �. STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 6 Ref lections on a Sunday: Is Our Nesling Place Secure? by Bonnie Nepmeier, long Time. Residen/ o/ Over-lbe-Rhine As I open my screen door to sit out on my porch swing three floors up, a mourning . dove flies from her nesting place on my window sill. 1 like it that the dove finds comfort here. The one lonely tree across 14th Street is finally showing her buds; 1 was beginning to worry the recent frost bit her lif!! away. This tree has grown to mean a lot to me, for she helps me reflect on life and changes. Are we as long time residents finding comfort here in our nesting place of 0ver-the-Rhine? Because I have lived here a long time, 1 have come to believe and appreciate there is somet hi ng deeper t hat moves through o ur land and people, something I would call characte r and soul. T his sou l deserves respect and can easily be missed by t hose whose eyes only focus on the surface of things, o r see o ur land as valuable, now that the developers have a profitable planned agenda serving their interests. lt takes time and compassion to understand the soul of a people and place. lt can't be understood through a "ULI Study" or a Corporate Charact_e r lnc. survey or through thé creation of an 0TR Coalition that see~s to undermine our Community Council. lt takes a listening heart and the ability to walk in another's shoes. The concerns of residents who are poor and low income would not fall on ~~af ears or be told their lived experience is invalid or not true IF WE REALLY MATTERED IN THE SCHEME 0F THINGS PLANNED F0RTHE LAND WE CALL HOME. We see our buildings and people differently. lt's not a place of "blight" that needs removed and deaned out. When I look · upon the faces of our people and the facades of their homes, 1 do not see blight. 1 see 0verthe-Rhine's soul crying out for justice; she's been abused, bruised and wounded by structures keeping in place the violence of poverty, racism and classism. And the answer now is not to blame her for what you see on the surface (neglected buildings, stressed lives in poverty) . and give her a majar overh~ul where nothing is familiar, where the character and soul are destroyed and replaced by persons and establishments who have no idea o r desire to learn w hat lives in her vei ns ...that history of strugg;le an d resistance to make a~d keep t his our home, improve on ou r quality or life through community-based efforts, and bring to fruition our dreams. Any new development must be challenged and take into account the interity ~nd soul of 0ver-the-R_hine. 0ur people need not be expended. · income units of housing...we feel a deep' loss and sadness in the air. 0UR NESTING PLACE D0ES N0T FEEL SECURE. What's going on in Over-the-Rhine has a lot to do with power. Who's got that raw power, and who· doesn'tf Who's agenda is getting supported; who's agenda is notr Who · is benefitting and who is being injured? Who is able to access resources and wbo is not? 1 have to maintain my hopefulness but wonder how much or vision and dream, through no fault of ou r own, wi II suffer t he blows of sheer greed and invasion by those who do not understand or want to take t he time to see our faces, to uch our hearts and understand our soul. STREETVIBES Editorial Page When I walk down Main Street, how she's newly made up; care was not taken to reflect the culture and people who call this home. 0ur hopes and dreams are not reflected in her new dress. We would not feel like stra,igers if we were woven in its develop. ment. Every day now, as the bulldozer tears down another "endangered building" for a parking lot, or big machinery sits in our streets to make our business districts look trendy, or plans go forward to do more anéJ more market rate housing without City Council legislating a policy to preserve and protect our 5520 low This weekend Jammin' on Main was celebrated. This event does not reflect who we are nor what we want. lt feeds the fire of "come see how we, the new entrepreneurs, are getting rid of the bligh~." 1 wonder how many people, like me, are sitting on our porches or stoops, just doing our regular routine on Sunday... worshiping our God, doing our laundry, shopping for mild and bread, grateful for the sun shining, and at this 11 :00 AM hour on Sunday, with drug deals not so prevalent preying on our street, we can feel somewhat at peace and can hear the chimes in the· wind and honor our Mothers today, who gave us life and love... and never even had the urge to "visit" Jammin' on Main, for we desire to dance to the music of our own souls. .Is Palien.ce Still a Virtue? by Tess They say patience is a virtue. Patience, a noun, is defined as follows: 1. The bearing of provocation, annoyance, mjsfortune, pain, etc., without complaint, loss of temper, or irritation. 2. An ability or willingness to suppress annoyance wlien co~fronted with delay: to have patience with a child who is a slow learner. 3. Quiet perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience. .Virtue is a good or admirable ·quality, moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. Virtue is conformity in life and conduct to moral and ethical principies. Virtue is also a n,oun. A noun is any member of a class of words distinguished chiefly by having plural or possessive endings, by functioning as subject or object in sentence construction, and by designating persons, places, things, states, or qualities. 1 began thinking about patience when President Clinton was walking with crutches after his knee surgery. 1 wondered if the physical slow-down of his bo dy wo uld affect his view of the world; if he would be human- . ized by th e trauma to his knee, the pai n and inconvenience of having four legs rather than two; or would he contin~e a status-quo life styl.e? "lt" can happen to anyone, even the President of the United States. "lt", a sudden ) change in life style, whether sickness, homelessness, hunger, pain, griet; liappiness, joy or drug/alcohol addiction. Was he patierit with his illñess? Is he patient with the welfare of the people ot' our country? Is he able to see the affects of Food Stamp cutbacks on men, women and children? Does he still pay $250.00 for a hair cut? Can he imagine being homeless and hungry? Would he eat beansfor dinner every night of the week? 0r sleep in a shelter? His "upbeat" answer may sound someth1ng like.... 1 would pick myself up and make a positive effort to take charge of my life, to · make the "right" choices, to work again, to buy a home again, to feed my family again, to save money again for Chelsea's education and Hjllary's pearls .... ain't nothing gonna keep a good man down! We are ali the same. We could substitute the life on anyo ne of us in t he above scenario and take the "test of patie nce" and see how well we'd fare. Even in my heart-of- hearts I cannot imagine being so helplessly hopeless and lonely as a person in a shelter. When will our legislators realize their · patience is not-existent? That their virtue has vanished and that they are living their lives in a cocoon or an another plane from the realities we face everyday? When will we each take our gifts from God and share them as they were meant to be shared? We should be outraged by the State of our Union! No one, not one of us should be alone and helpless or hopeless .... we are our brother's keeper. We are impatient, we think it is easy to pick ourselves up and get our lives in order to make the "right" choices. This ,was ingrained in . the upper-middle-class majority teachings of the baby boomers. The work ethic we learned from our fathers, to provide for the family and the "wife" a good home, food and clothing, to work and succeed at whatever we do. Today we teach our children nothing. We should be ashamed. 1 challenge myself and all of you to take the test of patience, to examine yo ur virtues; to take the hand of a brother a nd open your heart to his needs. �i' / . STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 7 - WHITEHOUSE CoFFEE 5 " WEWONT BE 5EEING SOON.f.. ·• tM SO ~LA'D TO GET YcuR vre:WS 0N HOME~NESS ,,.. AND NOW r'D LIKE Yoo TO . MEIT Wf' H.U.D. 5ECUfARY,, .. Letter to the Editor of -the New York· Times by Eslee l ackey-Harris Dear Homeless. • • by Myron Dear Homeless, My name is Don, and I want to know what makes a person sleep on a park bench. Don Dear Don, There are bot h perso nal and societal reasons for sleeping on a park bench. The personal reasons: eviction, mental illness, loss of a job, la~off, substance abuse, domestic violence. Sorne societal reasons: no affordable housing, deinstitutionalization, lack of decent jobs, lack of drug treatment, racis, and sexism. Thank you. Please write again. Dear l:-lomeless ... accepts letters. Please send your questions to: Myron e/o Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street · Cincinnati, OH 4S21 O We will attempt to answer all letters in a timely manner. Dear Homeless, My question: where can I get something to eat? Thanks. Willie Dear Willie, Go to the Drop lnn Center at 217 W 12th Street and eat lunch or dinner. · Seven days a week. While you're there, ask for a meal site sheet. · Don·t Relieve the Hype About Young .Adults by Sheree Kelly My name is Sheree Kelly. l'm in AmeriCorps, the Welfare Rights Coalition and CYC Mentoring Program, This is about how society treats and sees young adults. You see me coming--pants and shirt too big, hanging off me; rather t han weari ng a shi rt o r a pant s suit. 1 don't have on heels, 1 simply wear gyní shoes; book bag on my shoulder rather than carrying a brief case. As you glance at me more fierce you see I have 2 beepers rather than one. YoU stare and ask yourself, what are they for? Do I ever smile at youl No! 1 stand glaring at you with my intimidating frown. stop dead in my tracks a~d think. Then it comes to me what you first thought is that l'm either a drug dealer, hoodlum, ghetto, 1 got babies at home or l'm just plain ignorant. lnstead of lisiening to my ideas orto me speak, you already judge me. MUch to your surprise l'm a lot different than what you expect. When I talk, if you listen, you'II know that l'm very aware of things in my society and l'm not the igno,rant young lady you thought I would be. Sorne people think l'm a role model, a good writer, a good friend, and that l'm special in my own way. You always look at me like I should hold my head down but do I? No I don't, 1 walk in hold my head damn high. Being the strong black women that r am, 1 simply ignore your glares. Once you give me a chance to speak you realize your assumptions we're wrong. AII l'm saying is you have to_give people a chance rather than judging them. 1 guess it doesn't matter because l'm go_ing to succeed regardless of your ignorance. This letter is concerning your article " ONE FAMILY'S JOURNEY from WELFARE TO WORK", May 26 1997. 1 was appalled at the amount of time that was spent on advertising Mr. Preston Whites attribut es as if he were placing an ad in the personals section of the newspaper. The topic of the · article was described as a prize to women who are on welfare because he has a steady job. This mother, Ms. Sharri Pharr was · described as if she were wrong to have been upset by him offering her a job sorting other people underwear, and had nothing better to do than ruin Mr. White's day. · How would he like to be in her place. Since he thinks that McDonald's is such a good entry level job' and a good way to learn the habits of work there. Id bet that if he were in this women shoes he couldn't handle half of what she has gone through with the welfare system. 1 find that the welfare system today has set itself up for failure from the beginning. The government seems so occupied in trying to "balance the budget niess arou nd with the deficit and other such topics. They find someone who can't fight them and they take advantage of them . These are your working poor, disabled, imm.igrants arid all the programs set aside for them and strip them down. They are afraid to go to battle with those such as the military and corporate big heads who seemed to have deve!oped they' re own typ~ of welfare that keeps them on top, and going futher up the corporate· ladder. · Cutting people off is not successful welfare reform, it's not the way to cut down on caseloads, •its a way to show how much this country lies. The statement" give us your poor.... " and the rest of it is not important anymore, they don't even care about the poor they have created and are creating. 1 myself work two jobs and that can't suffice myself nor the rest of my family. 1 feel ashamed that this women, (Ms: Pharr) has to go through the run around with this guy who is supposed to be giving her a hand up, but is instead looking for a one night stand, and a person to make feel inferior bec~use he has a job and she's on welfare. Life always has hurdles for peqple to get over , but that's neither here or there as far as Mr. White is concerned. ___,_ �'--..... STREETVIBES The Tri State's Home/ess Grapevine WORD ON THE STREET What is Homelessness? by Ron Carter H - is for housing so desparately needed. O - is for overwhelming obstacles to cross. M - is for many days and ñights on the street. E - is for every meal that I missed. L- is is losing all that I had. E - is for everlasting thoughts of hope. S - is for all the suffering I went through. S - is for the soup kitchens that gave me food. N - is for not ever losing faith. E - is for everyone that tried to help-. S - is for that someone who showed me the way. S - is also for suddenly seeing the light. Now I know that everything will be alright. Untitled Poem by Denise Crew On this day there was mu_ch to be verbal about. lt seemed there was far too much tension these days. 1 had failed to make a point, he could see. At least agree upon. 1 left home without him. There was so much work to do, 1 had to go. There must have been something in what 1 said earlier, that in the quiet of our little apartment on Race Street. Must have spoken to him in a quiet and meaningful way. He met me at the Shelter, milled around and looking, listening. He cam_e to me and said, "Mom, today 1 want to go inside. 1found a buddy in the crowd." And off the two did go. To make sure he understood all he should know as he walked this new path he would go As the boards carne off I watched him carefully, filled with pride for all to see. We all waited nervously (f~r CPD) to come you see. He became impatient, demanding to know when and if he would go Sitting around doing nothing wasn't any fun. hot bored tired and hungry, like everyone We swept up and he took his little spot Since the day was a failure, for him. He decided not to occupy building number two and missed a chance to take his stand Spr.ing Street. Day of national action reflections of a mother The day my son took a mán's stand~-· Who To .Blame? by F.J.C. When your welfare check is late You're left waiting at the gate Blame the President You're broke and out of dough Flat have nowhere to go Blame the President Here you are without a job People call you " lazy slob" Blame it on the President You've grown old and ugly too Bewildered what to do Blame it on the President lf you can run out of gas Credit !!! you' re afraid to ask Blame it on the President \ The world in turmoil it is true Don't let them put the blame on you Blame the President Take me out upon my yacht That you have nothing I care not Blame it the ón the President 1sleep upon a soft soft bed 1don't care if you are dead Blame it on the President Yes he is the one to blame He should hide head in shame He is the President Dedication and lnspiration for Those. That Lost Page B The Eviction by Vera Zlalkin She sits alone on t he stoop clutching her little girl, watching dewy eyed as men carry her belongings to the curb piece by piece, box by box. And she wonders how this could be happening. She thought she had more time. She had heard that after someone got an eviction notice, they had a month to move. "Mommy's so sorry, Angel," she whispers softly into the child's curls. "Mommy really didn't know." The men had come half an hour early. "Why aren't you packed?" one of the men demanded. "Do we have to do everything?" "I, 1 didn't know you were coming," she stammered. "Nobody called." "Can't you readl" he snapped. "The date is on the eviction notice!" He took a piece of paper from his pocket with her name, address, the date and an official looking stamp. Then he turned and nodded to his men. They had brought a number of boxes in with them, and at his signal, they began to pull things from her cupboards and dump them into the boxes. She was too numb to protest or argue or plead or even to cry. Her mind was in a fog as She stands and secures her duHel bag onlo her shoulder, picks up her daughler and her shopping bag, and logelher /bey venlure out onlo /he slreels. And /bus /he "Wellare Molhern joins lhe ranks o/ /he deslilule and /he homeless. she walked to the bedroom and began to pack -clothes in a large duffel bag. Then she went to the kitchen to fill a shopping bag with food while the baby girl looked on. by Ron Carter And so here she sits watching as the man 1went to work one sunny day passes by with a box. She asks, "Can't we just But my boss took the ·sun away stay one more night?" Now my life has really changed He shakes his head, "No, lady, not one and a lot a things has to be rearranged more minute." He walks to his car and returns with a padlock. "But we have no place to go," she pleads. You see I lost my job that awful day He shrugs. "You should have paid your Through no fault of my own, 1can honestly rent lady," he says coldly.~"l'm ¡ust doing my say ¡ob." He tums back, walks to his car and drives Now I know hard times are ahead away. and I cry a lot when I go to bed "I don't understand," she whispers to the air. "1 just don't understand. Why did they cut Because of what may happen now my eyes my check? 1 called work and explained why 1 stay red - - ----F;couldn't come-in-,And what's ahead I really dread She had called and told them that her r d hate to be without a home baby-sitter was sick and she couldn't leave her because then the streets l'd have to roam little ·one alone. She thought they had understood, but she didn't have _a doctor's excuse, by law they could make no exceptions. So and Pleading and begging for a bite to eat they sent her a warning letter one day, and the Just to stay alive while l'm on the street next day cut her check. Well l know l'm not one to lay down and She stands and secures her duffel bag die onto her shoulder, picks up her daughter and and my friends I want to tell you why her shopping_bag, and together they venture out onto the streets. And thus the "Welfare 1'11 pray to the Lord to see me through Mother" joiris the ranks of the destitute and So please-help my Lord; l'm depending on · the homeless. 11 you - -- - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - �CLEVELAND HOMELESS , GRAPEVINE Homeless Still: Second View of the Streets by Harold Dopman " Homeless Still: Second View of the Streets" is the secon.d annual juried multimedia a rt exhibit presented by The Northeast O hio Colilition of t he Homeless a nd Americorps~ISTA . The exhibit features the works of both professional and student artists from the area a nd homeless pe rsons. Two hu ndred a rt works by over 100 artists were juried by Tom Hinson, curator of contemporary Art and Photography at the Cleveland Museum of Art; Janus Small, farmer executive director o f New Organization far Visual Arts (NOVA); and Susan Channing, director of SPACES, Cleveland's non-profit a lternative gallery. A pproximately 75 were chosen for exhibition in the seven art ga lleries involved in the project. In addition 75 art pieces by ho mele ss people , w hich were p ro d uced at t hree art w o rkshops presented by N EOCH, w ere shown. Damon Taylor, Americorps~ISTA volunteer assigned to NEOCH, started organizing the project September 1996. "The show was organized as a means to bring about social change under the guise of an educational art exhibition," explained Taylor. "This brought together professional, student and homeless artists together to visually speak t o the ills of extreme poverty." Staci Santa, NEOCH's other Americo rps~I STA volunteer explained the purpose of the art workshops. "We wanted to give the homeless_an opportunity to express themselves. There's no room in a shelter far a person to create art and the co st of materials is prohibitive. Also, the exhibit gave the homeless and ·farmally homeless a chance to show their view of the streets." As this edition of the Homeless Grapevine goes to press openings have already been held at and exhibits are still .on view at The Lightkeepers Gallery in Lakewood, a photographic exhibit space; the art gallery at The Beck Center in Lakewood; The Black Box, on • • East 74th St. (also the site of the art workshops); The Mandel School .of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University; and the Florence O'Donnell Wasmer Gallery at Ursuline College, which highlights Pat Fallons · sabbatical work. An exhibit opens a\ The Cleveland Play House, Friday, June 6, with a reception from 6pm to 8pm and at Cuyahoga c.C Ómmunity _ College-Metro Campus,,friday Jun_e 13 with ª• · -. . ~- recepti~n from _6 Pm to ,?P'!1~ l?<hi~J~ r~main on view at_th~ various..galterie~ ,untilJ~e enct of June 0 t~e .el)d of J1:1,~.\-~ C~!t (211- · 1104) far fu,-t_~,,r det¿ü~~·ro ·~¡,,:·i ~.;dt ,".. •! ., Food far the exhibit openings, cons,;~_#pg d of Black Bean soup and bread was provided by members of Food Not Bombs, a Cleveland r. N~9.SH 1 had come prepared with two blankets and many laye rs of clothes, but I took the t hird blanket anyway. At 3 a.m., 1woke up to find that I was sleeping in a puddle. Being new to the life, 1 had foolishl y chosen space under a tree to lay my blanket. The rain gathere~ around the tree, and turned my bed into a tub. The blanket on which I was sleeping was soaked, as was the blanket on top. Luckily, 1· had that third blanket which had remained fairly dry. 1 put aside the two wet blankets and wrapped myself in the one dry blanket, and got up to survey the situation. Only eight or nine people were still out in the open inside their sleeping bags. There were 21 still in their tents with sorne of the tents quickly taking on water. The rest were under the Shoreway bridge or across the street in doorways, with sorne returning to the shanties or other temporary locations that for the most part are out of sight. 1 wandered around thinking and talking to a volunteer who could not sle~p. Life changes when there is no place fo go. At 3 a.m. in Cleveland on the weekend there is no place for a homeless person to go to get out of the cold. The shelters have long since closed their doors, and every place else has a big unwritten neon sign that says "Homeless People Not W elcome!" 1quietly used a port-o-john at a nearby construction site, and returned to the park. 1 knew that I only had a couple of hours left, but what about my brothers by Brian Davis and sisters in arms. lt is dangerous to say, but many have accepted the life on the streets and do not see Weather is the day to day enemy of the a future. Once my neighbors on the streets loose homeless. Every single day ou r brothers and sisters that anger and hope it is a quick slide into a life with on the street engage in a battle against the elements personality disorders and mental illness marked by that harkens back to a time before cell phones and paranoia and delusions. · electricity when man's hold on life was less tenuous. 1 did learn that the blanket of choice for a From intense heat to extreme cold and even t he windy downpour of a summer's day are traumatic homeless individual is an acrylic blanket. Cotton events t hat direct a homeless individual's itinerary. and wool both absorb water and get very heavy. 1 The Northeast Chio Coalition fo r the Homecovered myself in that acrylic blanket that the more less along with Food Not Bombs staged a Memorial experienced homeless man had left me. 1 lay down on one of the benches and closed my eyes. When a Day weekend sleep out to call attention to the . growing homeless population, and the misplaced homeless person is on the streets or in an extremely crowded shelter, their nighdy ritual really cannot be priorities in Cleveland. lt rained, and rained, and continued to rain. called sleep. Sleep is a relaxing and rejuvenating As we gathered at Jesse Owens Park in experience which prepares us for the next day. downtown Cleveland, strategically located across Closing my eyes on the st reets is a gamble that the from the Justice Center and within ear shot of a body demands, but the mind advises against. Will 1 be awakened forcibly by the police? Will l be $247 million dollar project to bring another enterrobbed? Is it even worth resting on a hard piece of tainment complex to the city, the skies became overcast. There were occasional scattered raindrops concrete in the rain and cold? during our memorial service for those who have died I stayed on the concrete for another hour or on the streets or died as a result of poverty. Basiso until the volunteer who I walked around with at 3 cally, however, it was the culmination of a beautiful a. m. carne over to conducta sunrise service of day as we ate. hot dogs, spaghetti, bread, and Food reading the Bible. Religion is a big part of a homeNot Bombs famous Tofu Stir Fry donated by a less person's life. A few find their way out through wonderful group of volunteers. religion, while most are told that they can fi nd a way We discussed sorne of the misplaced priorit ies out through religion. Many services are operated by of the city, and ideas for spending $247 million religious denominations, and so preaching, praying, dollars to improve the lives of its citizens. Ideas and crosses are a part of the life. 1will tell you that ranged from converting old schools to shelters, at 6 a.m. in rain soaked clothing with a difficult day building affordable housing, and opening a day drop ahead, it was impossible to focus on the words of inn center. Pops, a self described leader in the Jesus Christ. community, wanted us not to forget about educa1put the wet blanket with the others from the tion. We all knew that it was going to rain, and we night, and went looking for food. A few of the hoped that it would tiold off until the morning. donuts that Daniel, a local humanitarian, had As we all settled down with a little music, sorne dropped off the night before were not wet. But 1 poetry, and talk about previous accomplishments, needed coffee. 1wandered up to Terminal Tower, and an uncertain future, fifty eight people chose to and asked a couple of the guys up there for informabrave the night, forgo ~e area shelters and sleep out tion. They laughed and said, "Go back to sleep. under the stars. The Coalition with the assistance of Nothing opens until 8 a.m. 1went into T ower City two Cleveland Heights sewing groups were able to with my pious volunteer friend looking for a bathprovide 40 sleeping bags, anda couple of voluntéers room anda warm place to rest. The bathrooms are brought tents for the demonstrators. locked and the security guards moved me along Just before we were about to distribute the when I tried to rest. They said, "No loitering in sleeping bags, one of the guys I was talking to turned here." 1told them that I would be happy to buy and ran off. He returned later, and said, "Sorry I something and sit, but nothing was open. lt seemed had to leave, but I lost my wallet. 1wanted to that orders are to keep those that look like walking retrace my steps to see if I could find it. Now I am poverty indicators to keep moving, bécause every homeless and Ido not exist." 1 had to add to his time we sat down we lowered property values. 1am · troubling day by telling him that all the sleeping bags convinced that if l .were clean cut and wearing a suit were already given out. We did haye space in a tent . _that I could set up a campsite ,in there. for him. At ~-ª~ ~·• a f;:O~p_le oJ r~sqiu~nts opened, anp At just after i:nidnight, it b~gan to rain. lt I gota cup·of coffe·e. · This would all be a lot easier if -;•, rained for the nexúwélve hoúrs .. lt steadily got , -• ·'.-1 knew there was sorne place to go later in the day .,.colder with a crisp spring wind coming off of the or sorne place fo sit dówri oút'·of the cold. dn the (ºi' lake. Wheni~stattedto ráihacoupleofthepeople ; ~: '.w eekend,there•:is:absol'utely.noplace,for--a ·homelet~.;~'.::,sleeping in ~e.par:!<1de~idedto seek the.;"fomfort'i 9h Í~<person to go to get out of the ~~e~e_nts. ;Th¡n.~.· . ,~, a doorway or overpass to get out of the rain. One""'":I''\ about this. Th~J ~~92 fch~•9,P~ pf{e<?ple 1whp live º'1b guy gave me his blanket, and said, "You're going to · · · · · · need this if you are staying out here." 1thought that Continued on page 1 1 organization that feeds t he homeless, and poetry was read to percussion accompaniment by Cuyahoga County Poet Laureate Daniel T hompson. Keynote speakers at various openings included Sherrie Swearington, from Westhaven; Leslie Presnell, Lakewood Christian Service Center; Harold Dopman, Homeless Grapevine managing editor; Joe Cimperman, West Side Catholic; and Brother Gary Morton from the Antioch Baptist Church. Spontaneous performance art wiil presented at various galleries by Art Acts. "People are tired of infarmation being shoved down their throats-being bombarded by brochures and leaflets" Brian Davis, Director of NEOCH added. "The Homeless Still Art Exhibit gives us an opportunity to reach an audience that we do not normally have access to." A Day in the Life of the Homeless / 0 -- -, �;,.:: 7;' ..i,;'t/r:.~'"'Ac-.i' .. , -~~r ~.. - __. .:t' •• __ ,~~.~..:¡, .. ~ ,¡~ • - .., si,í~\ii:·t\lí:B~ES;' The ,Iti State S Ho!fY1e/ess Grapevine • ,.. "• 1 l ~ ¡; ....... ~ ~ < STREETVIBES Back In Time The following is excerpts from a documentary printed in the paper Voices, August 1974 Over-theRhine, Cincinnati, Ohio. lt describes a drug at the time called "DERAIL" or Denatured Alcohol. At the time 12 people had died as a result of DERAIL, and this documentary was issued to expose the drug and its harmful effects. The documentary was pieced together by buddy gray. DERAIL: Liquid Death This is a special Documentary about DERAIL - a kind of deadly alcohol - and about the serious problem DERAIL is in our Over-the-Rhine community. In recent years the medica! profession in the United Sta.tes has taken a strong stand that ALCOH OUSM IS A DISEASE ... DERAIL-alcoholism is one severe type of that disease. DERAIL affects only certain people at the bottom of the economic system. lts affects are deadly. The DERAIL problem has been around a long time, yet many people, even in OTR do not know about the DERAIL problem. Six people from the 1500 Block area of Race St. have died in the last 5 months as a direct result of drinking DERAIL. There is a clear similarity between all 6 victims - middle aged, Black, heavy, long-time alcoholics, low-income or no-income. And in this same area at least 12 people have fallen dead of the same cause in the last 3 years. You might be wondering, "Just what is DERAIU" DERAIL is the street name for Denatured Alcohol - a kind of alcohol not supposed to be for drinking. lt is found in DASOL, QUIXOL or SOLOX varnish removers and in paint thinner. The name "DERAIL" comes from the fact that when you drink it you get "DERAILED" - meaning knocked off your track. Sorne people also call it "STICK-GIN" because many peo ple drinking DERAIL are "carrying a stick" (which means living on the streets or in abandoned buildings). And sorne folks in the know call it "GRAVE-WATER" because drinking DERAIL is a short-cut to your grave. BACKGROUND The road ·most alcoholics take to get hooked on DERAIL is always just about the same. The physical needs attract a down-and-out alcoholic to DERAIL. But addiction to DERAIL is just the beginning of t his road downhill. Addiction to the DHouse social life grows stronger and stronger. The final addiction is to the DERAIL Pusher's money the hooked alcoho lic is always owing the pushers more money than they have left after paying rent. The addicted may end up renting an apartment from the pushers and borrowing money or credit from the pusher for food, smokes and drinks. . For the DERAIL alcoholic, existence becomes a ·regular cycle: fro m the D-House trap- to the recuperation at t he hospital - to emptiness on the streets - punishment at the Workhouse (jail) - to the D-House trap again. Long-time drinking of alcohol can kill you. Heavy, steady drinking DERAIL WILL kili you. Skull and crossbones are on the metal cans of Dasol, Quixol, Solox and paint thinner. Warnings on the can say don't breath the fumes, don't take into your mouth, don't swallow. Still people drink it. WHY? Why then do people drink DERAIU How could a person stand drinking DERAIU How does someone get started? Why are almost all DERAIL alcoholics Black? To answer these questions, we printed the parts of interviews with many DERAIL ~ alcoholics or ex-DERAIL alcoholics. (For protection, we were asked not to print names. We used initials instead). J.Q. (Your) money gets short- can't afford whiskey or wine. For a 5 cent or IO cent drink of DERAIL you get high; 50 cents will make you drunk. V.X. 1 had been drinkin' heavy for a few years, whiskey or wine. Poverty was gettin' me. You haven't got enough money for whiskey or wine; but you gotta get somethin ... you get down and go to DERAIL. (Many) Black alcoholics are hooked on DERAIL. ... wanting a drink and you haven't got enough money and we Black people couldn't go in most bars (like the poor white alcoholic) to bum drinks. A friend took me to Vine St. bars; they sold to him but not me. Blacks weren't allowed in. J.Q. Vine St. (where most of the bars are) was always a white area. Black people were subject to gettin beat on if you went on Vine. You don't go in most bars if you're Black. There are still many bars like that. Sorne bars you could just "buy and go." V.X. (About IO years ago) somebody on the ' street offered me a drink of DERAIL. 1 didn't know what it was - but right then anything to drink was O.K. He said it was "Bootleg whiskey" - 1found out different later. J.Q. 1 used to sit out front of this building with a friend after work and drink. 1always saw all these people coming out of the entrance way "stoned". My friend said they sell DERAIL back there. 1 said, "What's that?" He told me "a cheap drunk, a nickel or dime high." So I went in to check it out. V.X. 1 never did like the taste. 1 drank it as fast as I could. 1 drank it 'cause whatever I was in, 1 mean in my mind, 1 wanted to get out of. lt relieved me from worrying about poverty at the time. 1was sleeping in the alleys. No job. You get so you just don't care anymore. You go to the DERAIL House more and more. J.Q. 1 couldn't hardly drink it at first couldn't stand thé taste, but the feeling I got from it - that first drink started me drinking it. One drink works 24 hours if you're not used to it. Now it takes me more (drinks). V.X. You can't miss the smell of DERAIL. Many people don't know what the smell is. lt's gotta unique smell, a different smell than any other smell out here. You can't stand the smell, can't stand being around it. When YOU got the smell you want to get away from it - but you can't get rid of it. lt's all through your body - it comes out on your skin, in your urine too - gets in your clothes. You can't kill the smell like you can with wine. And it stays around a long time. There have been a lot of DERAIL Houses around- from regular apartment buildings to abandoned buildings; there was even one DERAIL House in an old Railroad hut down in the switchyards. 1 know a whole lot of people who died from drinking DERAIL - dead and gone too. THEY (the DERAIL Houses) will hook you. MEO/CAL EFFECTS Studies done about alcoholism in this country have been done mostly about middle and upper- , income drinkers. Very little has been done on alcoholism in poor communities. To our knowledge, there are NO studies done of DERAIL alcohol ics. Sorne research was done for this documentary. A sample of DERAIL (as it was sold to a man at the DERAIL House) was analyzed anda report was made by the Hamilton County Coroners Offices. DERAIL is: 95% Ethyl alcohol 3-5% Methyl alcohol sorne white gasoline One pint of D ERAi L = one o unce of Methyl alcohol; l /4 oz. Methyl alcohol is enough to make a man sick; 2-8 oz.. can cause death! ETHYL ALCOHOL - is ordinary or "drinking alcohol" METHYL ALCOHOL - is a solvent or also a fuel, not for drinking. Added to ETHYL it makes DENATU RED ALCOHOL. DENATURED ALCOHOL is used commercially as a solvent. UNFIT for use as a drink or medicine. Dr. Richard Bozian - of the Hamilton County Alcoholic Detox Center states that a regular alcoholic clears up in 12 to 24 hours. The patient ..:-:,: Page /O -. who is "out" on DERAIL takes days to co me around. ETHYL Alcohol is used up or eliminated fro m the body within 24 hours. · But it takes up to 7 days for the body to rid itself of METHYL alcohol. So, small amounts of DERAIL drunk over a long period of time, build up to a very dangerous level of METHYL Alcohol in the human system. Drinking DERAIL will knock you off your track all right! But it does much more than that - much, much, more .... it kills you. Depending on how heavy you drink DERAIL, death happens slowly to rapidly. Before DERAIL gets you all the way to the grave, it can cause other things: BLINDNESS- 2 oz of Methyl alcohol can cause complete blindness; no other form of alcohol does this. KIDNEYSHUTDOWN- headache, restlessness, muscle twitching, mental disturbance (because of the polson in the system and edema of the brain), skin becomes a dirty yellowish color and is dry and itcny, to colTapse, coma and death. ~ PNEUMONIA- results when the person vomits and aspirates (breathes into the lungs) the gasoline and other parts of what was vomited. DETERIORATION OF THE BRAIN-confusion; loss of memory for things that are happening now, yesterday, 1O years ago; talks constantly and makes up stories or becomes agitated and argues so they won't have to answer questions. Disoriented doesn't know the hour, the day, month, or where they are. The person can no longe r think properly can't concentrate, can't understand words (ideas) or see what's happening, sees double and can't bring things into proper focus; is unable to learn. Epilepsy (falling-out sickness). NEUROPATHY- pain and swelling in the feet, ankles, hands. Staggering, progresses to loss of feeling and ability to move or control muscles in the feet ad hands. SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE- because of the above identified behavior. Odor is oppressive and sickening.· Usually lack ability and supplies for personal hygiene. DERA/l ANO THE LAW The police, a Hamilton County prosecutor, an municipal judge involved in alcoholic work, and the Sta.te Liquor Control were contacted. Sorne of them had heard of DERAIL selling. But none of those officials had ever had direct experience with this DERAIL problem. From the info gotten, there are severa! possible legal hassles for DERAIL pushers: First, two city ordinances called "selling liquor without a license" and "selling poison." Sorne person or agent must "go inside" and buy a "hit" of DERAIL. Then the pusher could be arrested. This is a difficult problem because DERAIL pushers would be suspicious of anyone who didn't look like a downand-out regular customer. But even if the pusher did get arrest ed and convicted, the maximum penalty under either ordinance is a $50 fine. Second, state "bootlegging" law which has two parts - "Selling illegal liquor" and "keeping a place where illegal liquor is sold." A similar arrest as described above must take place. The penalties are $100-$1000 fin e and/or IO days to 6 months in jail for "selling" and $1 00-$500 ·fine for "keeping a place." lf convicted of both, a pusher could get a maximum of 6 months and $1500 fine. The 2nd conviction, t he "place" can be padlocked as a "nuisance." Third, state "homicide" law (murder). lt is difficult to obtain enough medical documentation for this charge. The .DERAI L pushers have operated without any legal pressure for years. sorne people feel that cops are "on t he take" - meaning they get payoffs from the DERAIL pushers to leave the DERAIL operations alone. This documentary didn't gather enough evidence to say Yes or No. CONCLUSIONS ANO COMMENTS DERAIL means seeing your close friends hooked on DERAIL, hooked by a pusher and unable to break away __:, dying a slow, painful, horrible death at an early age. lt means seeing her/his memory fading, mind Continued on page 1 1 �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine DERAIL Continued Continued from page I O clicking off, eyesight getting poorer, hearing going bad, feet continually swelling up, periods of heavy drinking followed by periods of heavy vomiting and diarrhea, and the DERAIL smell that can't be avoided - a strangling, rotting, death-like, hard-todescribe smell on her/his body, in the clothes, in the urine, in the mattress ... that won't go away. lt means knowing that there's little medica! knowledge about DE~IL and no programs to deal with the problem. lt means knowing that certain stores willingly sell cans of DERAIL (DASQL, SOLOX, QUIXOL, and paint thinner) to known pushers and known alcoholics. lt means knowing that DERAIL pushers are poor people who are ripping off other poor people to make a little better living for themselves. , ·1t means fighting the strong DERAIL pusher so he doesn't rip off your weakened friend's whole check before the friend's rent is pa•d and maybe the food stamps are bought. lt means recognizing the DERAIL alcoholics a group of mostly Black alcoholics at the bottom of the economic system - are denied the basic survival and social needs, except in DERAIL Houses. · lt means recognizing what under the social system we live, this whole DERAIL problem is just another cruel example of class and racial exploitation that we must fight. Page // A Day in the Lile Continued Continued from page 9 our streets every night in Cleveland do not have any options of a place to spend the day on the weekend. There is no place to get their life in order, or make telephone calls, or store their clothing, or get away from the weather. lt is no wonder that chemical addiction is such a huge problem. There is a certain amount of warmth inside a bottle or in the haze of an illegal drug. ·And once our friends pi unge into the bottle is there any hope for a brighter day if they choose to crawl out? ' We arrived back at the park, and now a few people are stirring. Those living by the schedule of the overflow shélters are accustomed to a 5:30 a.m. wake up call. A few of the guys figured out how to use a coffee maker in the rain to brew hot coffee without shorting it out. The only problem is that the sugar is all wet, and therefore is one solid block. We congregate under the awning of a nearby building, and wait. We wait for the rain to stop. We wait for a local church to open for their noon meal. We wait for a second chance. We wait for a miracle. There are no deadlines and no discussions about the world around us. We talk about only about things that impact our lives and the injustice of it all. To outsiders, we will talk about sports orpolitics just to be polite. But standing in the rain waiting, we only talk about important things. We never get too close to anyone on the streets. Both physically and emotionally, the rule is to keep a certain amount of distance. lt seems that the thinking is that I am facing enough personal tragedy without having to deal with an relationship crises. We quietly look out on the world and wait. No matter how many times a homeless person tells me that the city needs a drop in center or tells me that there is no place to go .to the bathroom in this city, it takes on sense of reality and urgency when I experience it myself. The sleep deprivation that all of our fellow citizens experience when living on the streets is debilitating. 1knew that it was my responsibility to begin to clean ·up, but all I could think about was sitting down in a warm spot and · actually sleeping. To be able to push yourself to accomplish anything after spending the night on the stréet is an amazing feat. 1 did get a glimpse into the reason behind that distant stare in sorne homeless people's eyes. 1think thát I had that distant look of physically standing in a rainy park while mentally sleeping in a nice warm bed with a space heater. There are many reasons for a person to be homeless including poor decisions to domestic · violence to a fundamental lack of education. Each person has sorne degree of responsibility for the direction that there life has taken, but in a land of such wealth and opulence is it necessary to have our fellow citizens sleeping on the streets? We are entering another millennium, and just as we take that step into a new era we will see an explosion in the homeless population caused poor de_cision made on the federal level. Both welfare "reform" changes and the reduction in subsidized housing will be decimate our urban centers in the year 2000. The time to put poverty back on the top of Óur lists of priórities is now. The choice is housing or homelessness, and believe me the bill for preventing homelessness is a fraction of the bill we will all receive for providing services to a person who is already on the streets. SuperNOFA Brings Together Cincinnati Groups to Plan Homeless Strategy by Marvin Abrinica Once a year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants sorne federal funding to homeless and housing providers. Cincinnati is eligible for $4 million dollars this year. That $4 million though, must be carefully requested under a series of proposals for funding consideration under the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). This will sometimes be referred to as SuperNOFA, because there are three _large programs under it. This year, the grant requests from home- -less and housing providers are due to Washington, D.C. by July 8, 1997. -The J?Ufl?0Se of the NOFA is to fund ,_ projects that will FILL IN THE GAPS in a locally developed Continuum of Care system which is a system that assists homéless persons move from homelessness to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. The City of Cincinnati has hired Michelle Budzek, an administrator from last year's NOFA, and assistant Evan Gay to adminístrate the process and head a series of meetings which involve the process of getting the proposals ready for the July 8 deadline. On April 22, at the Peaslee Community Center the funding process was introduced to homeless and housing providers. At the first meeting, Budzek and Gay challenged participants to discover thé "GAPS" that were in the Continuum of Care system. The second meeting at 2 Centennial Plaza was set to, determine the- importance and highest priorities in Social Services. The community homeless and housing providers agreed that substance abuse treatment, child care, and job training had the highest priorities in the system. Each organization was encouraged to make a proposal with these aspects in mind for the presentations. This past May 21 was the day for homeless and housing pr~viders to make their claim to the SuperNOFA funds. Each provider sent a representative to the meeting. Those present were Excel Development, Tender Mercies, Lighthouse, Geiger House, Bethany House, Goodwill, House of Refuge, Drop-lnn Center, Sara House and IRP, AVOC, First Step, Health ~esource Center,. Glad House, ReSTOC, Arrington House, Cathouse, and Special Health Co~nections. The meeting was divided into two parts, first for the renewals of funding from those who received it iast year, and secondly for new projects. The presentations· were not just a time for homeless and housing providers to give their mission statements, but for each provider to present a particular project that needed funding in respect to the Continuum of Care. Each participant was given a score sheet in which they would score-each section of the presentation. Certain criteria was necessary for fulfillment of NOFA requirements. lf one criteria was missed then the score could severely be penalized. More importantly, if one aspect was technically wrong it could be disqualified. Needless to say, the importance of the presentátions was highly regard, and meant to be taken seriously. Sorne of the strong presentations were from veterans in service providers. Goodwill, for example, seemed to make a lasting impression for a new project involving job training for the homeless. Sorne organizations referred baék to them for their future relations in that area. Though Goodwill was not know to be a heavy hitter in the homelessness community, their experience in related areas made up for any lack in other areas. One strong presentation carne from Tender Mercies' Eric Fouche, the MIS/Projects Director there. He eloquently projected his organizations needs in transitional housing. When asked what he thought about ·the 'Continuum of Care and SuperNOFA process, he said, "lt's better that our peers score us, because they know what's going on around here, rather than Washington (D.C.), where they know nothing about it. 1 think in that regard, it's very fair." Fouche made it clear that Tender Mercies was a place that wants to help their clients meet their own set goals rather than setting goals for their clients. This way, each client knows what is realistic and unrealistic at that particular point in their life. Support Your Local Vendar Tell A Friend About Streetvibe$ ,..- ___ _ ¡;,,; '~ �Streetvibes TV Schedule Vendor Support Prof ile: Frank Carrino Check us out~ We're on TV! Streetvibes is produced at the facilities of Cincinnati Community Video. · by Dona/d Whitehead This month's profile is one of two that will introduce you to our vendor support staff. . Our first profile is about Frank Carrino. Frank is a native Cincinnatian who attended East Mile High School. Frank attended The University of Cincinnati, where he was as he puts it "a bad music student." Frank is a veteran of the U.S Army. He is also a former lightweight boxer,who wenton to train boxers at the YMCA and the Police Boxing League. Frank carne to an interview at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the staff immediately knew we had t he right guy. Frank has a hilario us sense of humo r--as anyone who has ever called o ur office already knows. When he isn't working at the office, Frank does many odd jobs such as bricklaying, carpentry and other labor · intensive jobs. What n,akes that such an accomplishment. is that Frank Carrino just t urned 77!! Mr. Carrino does about twice as much as most men half his age. Frank has defi nitely been an asset to our office. He is every employer's dream: always o n time, able to take suggest!o ns and able to give them. Frank also knows a little about homelessness since he himself was homeless due to illness and a fire which damaged his apartment building. That experience instilled in him a willingness to help others who might find themselves in this unfortunate situation. Frank is a wonderful person whose care and concern for others make him a perfect additio n to Streetvibes. We sincerely hope that he will continue to wo rk and grow with us. Slreelvibes TV May Vendar Support Worker Frank Carrino Streetvibes Radio Hour This month show featured reactions to the current wave. of demolitions in Over-theRhine. Guests were John Hauck, Mary Ann Olding and Jennifer Summers. Channel 10 Monday, June 2, 9:30 pm Thursday, June 5, 9 am Sunday, June 8, 4 pm On WAIF 88.3 fm Slreelvibes TV June The Homeless Coalition has a live radio program which can be heard on WAIF radio on 'the second Saturday of each month at noon. The show is co-hosted by Mary Burke, Pat Clifford and Donald Whitehead. The show mixes talk focusing on the stories in this paper and eclectic musical selections. Here are the next show dates. We will feature a second installment of our Faces of Homelessness which focuses on people who have experienced homelessness and have survived. WAIF 88.3 fm Saturday, June 14, noon to I pm Saturday, July 12. noon to I pm Channel 7 (5B Basic in most of Hamilton County) Monday, June 9, 7 pm live Channel 10 Sunday, June 15, 4 pm Thursday, June 26, 9 am http://cinci.com/gcch Streetvibes Online We have just added a searchable interface for our Streetvibes articles. Websurfers will be able to index our stories by date or subject. Please visit our site. Still Needed Cop ier Lamp TV and VCR to Show Streetvibes Episodes to Groups Volunteer Copy Ed itors and Stories Need Help or Want to Help? St. John's Temporary Housing lf for sorne reason you find yourself homeless, contact a Coalition Member Agency for Shelter, Trea~ent, Housing or Services. lf you have any questions, feel free to call the Homeléss Coalition at 421-7803. . __ SHELTERS: Women and Children Alice Paul House (abuse) 241-2757 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome House 431-87 17 SHELTER: Mén City Gospel Missio n Garden Street House Joseph House (veterans) St. Francis- St. Joseph House Mt. Ai ry Cente r Volunteers of America T REATMENT: O.D.A.A.T First Step ~orne 24_1-5525 241-0490 241 -2965 38 1-4941 661-4620 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 • _;habad House 821 -5100 Drop Inri Center (singles) 721-0643 Friars Club 381-5432 _ _HaveJ1 ~o.u~~ (H~rnil~on} _ ___8 63-:8866 lnterfait h Hospitality-Network 244-7226 Lighthouse Youth Center 961-4080 HOUSING CMHA Excel Development Miami Purchase OTR Housing Network ReSTOC Tender Mercies (Mental 111) T om Geiger House ---. 651 -6446 721-4580 241-9683 241-0504 369-0004 381-0954 721-8666 961-4555 Women 241 -7343 921-7324 T REATME NT: Men Charlie's 3/4 House Prospect House Starting O ver 784-185 3 921-1613 751-3260 TREATMENT: N.A. Hopeline A.A. Hotline C.C.A.T. Talbert House T ransitions, 1ne. VA Domici~~ry 820-2947 861-9966 381-6660 684-7956 491-4435 559-5011 Both OTHER SERVICES AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati Appalachian ldentity Center . Chu r:ches Active in Northside Cincinnati Health Network Community Action Agency · Contact Center Emanuel Community Center Freestore/Foodbank · Hamilton Co.Mental Health Bd. Hamilton Co. TB Control Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van House of Refuge Missio n . Legal Aid Society Madisonville Ed. & Assistance Ctr. Mary Magdalen House Oral Health Council Our Daily Bread Peaslee Neighborhood Center Travelers Aid United Way VA Homeless Program Women's Crisis Center 42 1-2437 621-5991 591-2246 961-0600 569- 1840 381-4242 241-2563 241-1064 621 -7149 632- 7 186 357-4602 352-2902 221-3 679 24 1-9400 27 1-5501 721-4811 621-0248 621-6364 621-5514 721-7660 721-7900 559-6656 491-3335 � 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 1997 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 Language A language of the resource English 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. Text Any textual data included in the document - 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 June 1997 Vol. 1, issue 5 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness 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 June 1997 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-sa/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a<span> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License</a>. Relation A related resource - Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource - Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context - Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant - Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project (curated by Katelyn Lusher) Description An account of the resource Issue covering: welfare reform homeless families food stamps housing policies homeless narrative Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Marvin Abrincia F.J.C. Ron Carter Pat Clifford Denise Crew Brian Davis David Dietz Harold Dopman Susan Eisenberg Sally Karl Sheree Kelly Estee Lackey-Harris Myron Bonnie Neumeier Tess Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Vera Zlatkin Bonnie Neumeier Brian Davis David Dietz Denise Crew Donald Whitehead Estee Lackey-Harris F.J.C. Harold Dopman homeless housing housing policy Lynn Williams Marvin Abrincia Myron Pat Clifford policy reform Ron Carter Sally Karl Sheree Kelly Susan Eisenberg Tess Vera Zlatkin welfare https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/8536aa31fa44b645a1bc1bd03d40a847.pdf d1d7f4ffc5ee18e50ea4244ca86911b4 PDF Text Text Panhandling Ordinance Ruled Unconstitutional by Judge Sherman by Donald Whitehead Since 1995 homeless advocates, homeless individuals and lawyers from the ACLU have argued that measures to strengthen a 1992 aggressive panhandling ordinance were unconstitutional. The two ordinances restrict where and when panhan­ dlers can ask for money and ban people from sitting or lying on business-district sidewalks between 7 a.m and I I p.m. While advocates for the homeless understand the need for restrictions against those that are aggressive in demands for money. it is common knowledge that most panhandlers are not of the aggressive variety. In addition, while we don't advocate panhandling in any form, we understand that because of economic conditions along with the lack of affordable housing and many other factors, people are forced into this behavior. Our resources should be used in providing safe, sanitary, affordable housing and not to prosecute individuals forced into panhandling. Steve Stuhlbarg. who with Scott Greenwood represented the panhandlers said, "We're delighted. We think this is a rigorous and proper applkation of the First Amendment prin­ ciple. These laws were designed to target peaceful, non-coercive and non-disruptive panhandling. These ordinances were targeted at people who are peaceful. The City doesn't have the power to intervene in what people say on a public sidewalk," Jesse Johnson exercising'his F!1St Amendment right to Free Speech he said in a Pose interview. "People have a right to peacefully ask for money. The seated purpose of these laws was to make panhandling disappear," Greenwood added. "The ordinances, in flat and total violation of the First Amendment, ban an entire type of speech based on·its content from the most sacred area for public speech: the public sidewalk. The Court recognized that the poor and homeless have the same First Amendment rights as business people and corporations." 'Panhandling' continued on Page 5... New University Hospital Policy Threatens Health of Poor by Dr. Bob Donoran, Health Care for the Homeless Program On May 17th, the Cincinnati Health Care for the Homeless Program was alerted to a gentleman who was living at the Denison Hotel. He was recently discharged from University Hospital and had a handful of prescriptions with no insurance to cover the cost. Usually when this happens. the problem is that the person didn't stop at the University Phar­ macy to get the prescriptions filled . However, when we spoke with him we found out he had gone there Cleveland News Students Perspective Welfare News Visible Homeless Drop Inn Center Arts & Poetty Nationwide News Azerbaijan Refugees Needle Exchange letters & Editorials Prisoners News Crossword & Games MadWomyn Recovery Hotel Vendor Profile Page2 Page3 Page4 Page5 Page5 Page6 Pagel Pages Page9 PagetO PagetO Pagett Paget3 Paget4 Paget6 and was told he couldn't get prescriptions there unless he could pay for them o r had insurance coverage. After several other calls, I found out that on May 18, a new policy went into effect at University Hospital; Patients would not be given medications on discharge, but only prescriptions to be filled elsewhere. This policy seriously jeopardizes the health of poor and indigent people who are hospitalized at University Hospital. This gentleman had a heart procedure, which cost several thousand dollars, and then could not get the medications which would help make sure it would continue to function for him. This policy is certainly short-sighted and cost­ ineffective, as well as being thoughtless and heartless about poor people. Fortunately, because someone at the Denison Hotel was able to reach us, we were able to get this man his medications. I'm certain that there will be many, many folks who will simply do without their much-needed medications because of this policy. At the time of the privatization of University Hospital, the citizens of the city were assured that the care given to the city's poor would not suffer because of it. This is yet another indication that we were not being told the whole truth of the effects of privatization. Privatization at UC Hospital... by a concemed citizen Remember back about two years ago when UC Hospital was a public hospital? Anyone could go there for medical care even if you did not have a job or insurance coverage. Then came privatization of the hospital. People fought against this, concerned that folks without jobs or insurance would be turned away for medical care. The hospital went private anyway. The hospital administrators promised people WOl.fld not be turned away; Well guess what? They lied. The ugly effects of this privatization are about to appear. The Alliance who runs UC Hospital is targeting Holmes Pharmacy to begin this process. As of May 18th, people will have 30 days to sign up for programs to cover their prescript ions or else be refused medications. Holmes Hospital has people available to sign folks up for the Hamilton County Discounted Care and Medicaid. These workers are very considerate in signing people up for programs and attempt to make the paperwork easy. The true 'UC Hosp.' continued on Page 5... �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Streetvibes, the Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine, is a newspaper written by, for and about the homeless. It is compiled by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Home­ less. Vendors buy the paper for 20 cents and then sell it for a dollar donation to get back on their feet. All vendors sign a code of conduct before being given a badge. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed co ending home­ lessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. The Streetvibes Committee meets monthly to plan our issues and increase circulation. If you are interested in helping or have a comment, please call 421 -7803. Staff Donald Whitehead, Director Jimmy Heath, Coordinator Brett Zwolinski, Vendor Support Ron Carter, Vendor Support James Hobbs, Vendor Support Photo iraphe r Jimmy Heath Writers Te' Tro Amaru Maryann Bravo Robert Brown Dan Cahill Ron Carter Pat Clifford Denise Crew Brian Davis Dr. Bob Donovan Dan Gibbons Jimmy Heath James Hobbs Paul Linden Bobby Lyles Judith Mendriski Mark Salter Malaka Sanders Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Sonny Williams Brett Zwolinski Editorial Polley: Streetvibes accepts all letters, poems, com­ ments or editorials. We will print every­ thing we have room for, giving preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Please send all material to the following address: Streetvibes clo Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 (513) 42 1-7803 fax (5 13) 421-7813 e-mail: homecoal@primax.net http://cinci.com/gcch Quote of the Month: "I don 't mind the non-aggressive panhandlers•••they don't bother Downtr1wn business-person me" Page 2 News From Cleveland's Grapevine Gaps in Services: by Brian Davis There are many shelter beds in Cleveland, but some facilities are not appropriate and a family has no where to turn. One hard to serve population in Cleveland is the man who has custody of his children. There is only one space available for a man and his children. The women's shelters cannot accommodate a man, because some of the female residents are struggling with domest.ic violence issues. There are a couple of units available for intact families in which the rules say that one parent must go out and work. In April, Chris (not his real name). had struggled to work and keep his three children, but was not making it. Finally, he decided to quit his job and give up his apartment and come back to Cleveland to be with his parents. When he got to Cleveland, he found that his parents were in jail and so he had no where to tum. He went to the Department of Human Services to sign up for cash assistance. They told him that if he signed up he would have his children taken by the County. Unlike a women who could go to a shelter, he could not take his children into the men's shelters or the women's shelters. The County said that he had no effective way to shelter his children, and so they would have to be placed in foster care until he could get on his feet. He decided not to sign up for welfare. The one space for a man with his child was full. The other shelters were not an option. By working in the system, he was going to loose his children. He took his children to the streets and stayed under a bridge to keep his family together. After a short period of time, one of the neighbor­ hood centers was able to help him find an apart­ ment. He is now looking for a job, and trying to get his life back together. The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Waiting List: by Alex Grabtree Editor's Note: The most frequent and vocal complaint that we at the Grapevine (Cleveland) hear is with regard to housing, and one of the last options especially for homeless people is to apply for public housing. Setting aside the stigma associated with living in "the projects", applying for a public housing apartment is one of the most frustrating and difficult bureaucracies to overcome. What follows is one individual's story, William Russell. This is not an isolated story: This is typical of the process for a single homeless individual. William Russell lives under a bridge in Cleveland. He works at least 30 hours a week, but has no credit background and has a felony drug conviction in his past. In Chicago, he was caught at the wrong place at the wrong time and was the only person 18 years old. The police decided that it would be a waste of time to bust the juveniles in the group so they laid everything on Russell. Actually, growing up in a drug infested neighborhood. Russell was the exception, never having served time as a juvenile. He spent six months in jail at 18 and left Chicago for Cleveland. He was too "independent" to get a traditional job. He could never follow directions. and dreamed of setting up his own business. For a few years, he worked in a temporary service driving a tow motor. He found that after two years. he still was making minimum wage and he never had enough money to get a place. He did smoke some dope in his spare time for enjoyment, and he had an expensive cigarette habit. Russell did not drink or take hard drugs, so was not qualified for traditional shelter programs that catered to drug addicted individuals. He spent his money on two good meals a day in an attempt to remain "independent." He did not go in for social services or meals for homeless people because he was too proud. Russell made half-hearted attempts to sell street papers, flowers , and anything else he could find . At 28, he looked back and saw chat this independence was taking a toll and he wasn't really going anywhere. Russell came to the conclusion that he needed a house or a base of operation to set up his business. He knew he could never get a tradi­ tional paycheck so therefore no landlord would rent to him. Russell was making around $600 a month and could afford a $200 apartment. In late 1997 (before I I/ 1/97), Russell applied (or an apartment with Cuyahoga (Cleveland) Metropolitan Housing Authority. He went back and applied a couple of times because he did not hear anything. He stayed in a shelter for a period of time and got a shelter referral letter. Russell found a place that would be willing to accept his mail, and he secured the necessary identification. He got a letter verifying his income, and a letter verifying that he was staying under a bridge. After six months, he was notified that he needed to attend an orientation class for low income housing. Russell cook the day off and went to the seven hour class. The CMHA employees went over the rules and regulations of living in a public housing unit. They talked about what CMHA expected from those that live in a unit. There was the basics of cleaning and some good housekeeping tips offered. But what Russell came away with was the discussion of preferences. He dearly remembered the talk about three preferences for public housing: the homeless. the involuntarily displaced and those that were trying to unify their family. Russell said, "It is my understanding they gave me reason to believe that homeless people had priority over everyone else as long as they can prove that they live on the streets or in a shelter. I provided that information and It is true. I felt that I had a good shot." Russell took a certificate of completion away from the class. As described in Grapevine issue 24. CMHA abolished its policy giving priority to homeless people for available public housing. Russell did apply for public housing before this policy went into effect, and so he felt he had a good shot. He was contacted again to sign paperwork and sign release of information forms. He interpreted this as another good sign. T hey were reviewing his application and it was moving through the system. He left a letter with the staff person at CMHA that he wanted to live in one of the high rises because he felt the townhouses were drug houses. After a few more weeks, Russell received a letter "telling me that I have no priority." The letter reflected the new preferences that the CMHA Board 'Russell' cont. next Page... �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine A Student's Perspective on Working With Homeless People Budding Teen Photographers To Exhibit New Work at Images Center for Photography By Wendie Morgan (Social Work Intern} Homelessness effects a large number of people in our society. One is considered homeless when they do not have a place to stay and have no means of getting their own place. I have been working with the homeless population in the Cincinnati area for approximately six months, as part of my social work internship for graduate school. Within that time, I have gained a lot of knowledge about the roles of a social worker. However, I have also learned about the real world. The most important thing that I have learned is how fast and easily one's life can change. Since January, I have had the opportunity to talk to many homeless Veterans with various needs. When I interview people and inquire about how they became homeless. they have responded with various reasons. Some of those reasons include: unemploy­ ment, divorce/separation from spouse. overdue child support. lack of education, mental health issues, substance abuse. and alcoholism. Many of the people that I talked to had a combination of chose problems that resulted in their homeless situation. From a student's perspective. I respect how some people utilize the resources available to them in the community. I also admire those who have gone co treatment programs to work on their issues in efforts to change their situation. When I started working in January at my internship, I was worried that people would not cake me seriously because I was a Social Work student. However. I was wrong. I thank the people who I talked to, worked with. and who patiendy sat through all of my questions, for giving me the opportunity to learn from their life experiences. Without hands-on experience. I would have only been exposed to book knowledge about theories of how everything is supposed to work. When talking to one Veteran about their treatment program, he informed me that he was kind of like my 'Russell'... had adopted in November 1997. It was absolutely contradictory from what he had been told in the orientation. "I thought that I was going to get an apartment," until he was briefed on the meaning of this letter from his contact at CMHA "Now I am never going to get into one of these houses," Russell said. After eight months and an all day class, he received a letter that said that his application was complete and he was on the waiting list. CMHA officials say that the active waiting list is around 5.000 people. W ith an "X" through the box next to "no priority," Russell may be right chat he has no shot at a C MHA unit. Russell was angry when talking about his frustration in trying to get into a place. He said that he has no chance of getting a place if "they are talking thats#@& that homeless people don't have no priority. What the f$#@ does that mean? Homeless people don't have priority? Thats@#$ is f@#$ed up!" He claimed it was discrimination for single men to not have the same preference as homeless families. He asked, "Is this leading single women into getting pregnant just to get some of the services and to get their own apartment? That is why a lot of their lives get messed up." Russell did have suggestions for improving the program. He felt that "public housing" should be for homeless people, un-doubling people, and getting people out of substandard housing. Russell Page 3 Two budding new photographers, Malaka Sanders and Brian Taylor, from Peaslee Neighbor­ hood Center's Teen Photography Club will exhibit recent works at Images Center for Photography, May 29- June 20. There will be an opening reception, Friday evening, May 29, from 6- I 0 PM. Images is located on the sixth floor. Suite 610 in the Pendleton Arts Center at 1310 Pendleton Street in Over-The­ Rhine. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. Wendy Morgan science project. I would like to change the myths of social work students wanting science projects. We are just here to learn and assist our clients in their various needs. Trust me. my experience as a student working in the field and my experience as a student with knowledge from a book are totally different. When you read books, articles, and research studies on why homelessness occurs, you think it will not happen to you. If everyone had the opportunity to sit down and work with a homeless individual, one could realize how easily it can happen. After all, the majority of people I have talked to thought that it could not happen to them. Editors Note: Wendie Morgon is o graduate student at the University o( Louisville's Kent School of Social Work. She hos been working under the direction of Iola Green, Program Coordinator of Health Core for Homeless Programs ot the Cincinnati Veterans Medico/ Center. Wendie plans to graduate witlt her Master's degree in Socio/ Work in July. All the best to her and her endeavors. also suggested that one person on staff should be available to answer questions or respond to con­ cerns about applications. This Is a suggestion mentioned by many on the waiting list who were willing to talk. What came out was a fundamental lack of communication between those seeking housing and the staff at CMHA and an unwillingness on the part of CMHA to bridge this gap. Russell is at a crossroads. He has resolved himself to the realization that he will never get a public housing unit, and is worn down from spend­ ing the winters under bridges. He will either breakdown and slowly and quietly die in a traditional labor job or he will move co another city with the hope of starting a new life. He said, '"If homeless people have no preference, and I am homeless what can I say?" Malaka Sanders is a 19 year-old graduate of Walnut Hills High School. She is a regular columnist for Streetvibes, a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless. Malaka became involved in Peaslee's Teen Photography Club after doing a story on the program in the Streetvibes paper. She plans on pursuing a degree in photojournalism this Fall. Brian Taylor is a 15 year-old freshman at Hughes Center High School where he is a "B" Honor Roll student. His hobbies are photography and music, particularly singing. Brian hopes to study voice at San Diego University and become a singer after graduation. He also hopes to do a lot of traveling. The Teen Photography Club at Peaslee is led by Dawna Mayerson, a downtown Cincinnati portrait and people photographer specializing in black and white work. She's been volunteering at Peaslee since this past Fall, offering a weekly photog­ raphy class for teens in the neighborhood. The class focuses on the basic workings of a 35mm camera, such as shutter speed and depth of field. as well as instruction in light, composition and expression in photography. The photography club originated a few years ago with a grant from the Greater Cincin· nati Foundation, and had been discontinued until chis Fall when Dawna reinstated it. Participation in the club is free and is open to any teenage residents in Over-The-Rhine or West End. Anyone interested in further information on the Teen Photography Club or the exhibit should contact Brenda Zechmeister at Peaslee Neighbor­ hood Center, 621-5514. Subscribe to Streetvlbes Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be pur­ chased for $12 per year. Please send a che ck to the below address a nd the paper will be mailed to you e ach issue. Streetvibe s 1506 Elm Stree t Cincinnati, OH 4521 0 Please make checks payable to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Home le ss--Stre etvibes. If you have a ny questions, call 421 - 7803. �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Welfare News OEC Statewide Conference by Lynn Will/ams The Empowerment Coalition's Second Annual Grassroots Empowerment Conference was held May 15th and 16th in Columbus. It was very successful with participants from across the state, including Athens, Findlay, Dayton and Cincinnati. 179 people attended. Highlights of the Conference were our keynote speakers: Pat Gowan of the Welfare Warriors, Ann Withorn of the University of Boston, Barbara Leyser, EBT consultant. and Donald Whitehead of the National Coalition for the Home­ less. The speakers were both informative and inspiring. Pat Gowan gave an especially moving talk when she spoke on the welfare deform of Wisconsin, W-2. People in the audience were very moved when she talked about how small children have died in Wisconsin because of inadequate child care. The mothers were forced to leave their small children or be sanctioned or cut off by the welfare department. Children died screaming in a house fire because they were not being supervised while their mother worked. She was forced to work by the Wisconsin authorities even though she lacked adequate child care. In a similar story. one baby suffocated inside a car while his mother worked. She had nowhere to leave him. The mothers were prosecuted, but isn't the real criminal the Society that allows W-2 and other states' harsh welfare rules to be accepted as the law? Aren't the real criminals the legislators who pass these draconian laws? President Clinton & the U.S. Congress are equally guilty of those children's deaths because they approved the federal safety net being destroyed. All citizens who refuse to speak up about what ls happening to the poorest families in America share in the guilt. If a baby dies in Wiscon­ sin because of welfare deform, all these people share the guilt of a crime. One baby dying affects all of us. We have a community responsibility to speak out! Sadly. it is not just one baby's suffering. but how many babies across America to be made hungry, homeless, permanently scarred for life and even killed because of the slashing of America's safety net for the poor? Ann Withorn, author of For Crying Out Loud. shared how she and co-writer, Diane Dujon. came to write their book, published by South End Press. This book is about the lives of welfare recipients and how far the realities are from the blasphemous myths propagated by the mainstream media. She spoke on the organizing work recipients, together with advocates (and recipients are included as advocates too). are doing in Massachusetts, espe­ cially fighting against the Massachusetts two-year time limit. The cut-off they are facing is December 1998, so it is very near. She spoke of the immense pressure recipients are facing to somehow support their families after the ax falls. She spoke of the very important need to get out the stories of the real people affected by these draconian laws, so that state legislators, the U. S. Congress and yes, even Presi­ dent Clinton, will hear at least part of the truth and not just the propaganda garbage published by the corporate-owned media. There was a strong feeling at tbis conference that we must unite and build on the momentum of this conference. We must fight together to get our "Emergency Repeal of Sanctions Bill" passed. We must join up with the Welfare Warriors of Wiscon­ sin and Welfare Rights of Massachusetts, and many others across the country, to fight for a repeal of the 1996 welfare law. We must replace bad law with a positive welfare plan for America where all will be treated fairly and equitably regardless of which state they happen to live in. Locally. we must continue to speak out so all will hear whenever a person is cut off erroneously by the local departments. We must spe~k out loud and clear so all can hear when we know the anguish a family is going through because of the harsh Ohio sanctions! The powers that be are not going to like us, so don't think you will win friends in high places by speaking out! The truth hurts those in high places because they don't like being held accountable for the evil laws they have written. Some of the themes that came out of the conference were that "motherwork" (parentworl<, because fathers are important, too) must be recog­ nized as socially valuable work, and the real struggle recognized as ending poverty. Every parent forced by the state to leave her/his small children to work outside the home must be guaranteed safe, super­ vised and quality child care. Every person who works should get a livable wage that will pull her/his family out of poverty. As the saying goes, we must " Fight the war on poverty and stop the war against the poor." For more information on how you can get involved in the Ohio Empowerment Coalition, call the Contact Center at (513) 381-4242. Welfare and Work: let's Stop Buying Into the Violent Attack on Government Child Support- and Start Challenging It by Pat Gowens, Welfare Warriors Milwaukee Wisconsin (note: Ms. Gowens was one of the keynote speakers at the Ohio Empowerment Coalition's Statewide Conference, organized in part by the Contact Center/Welfare Rights Coalition at 1641 Vine St. For info on local welfare rights organizing, call 38 1-4242) Corporate America, with the help of their political lackeys, has succeeded in creating, once again, a forced no-wage and low-wage workforce right here in the USA When Clinton and the Democrats joined Republicans on August 22. 1996 to eliminate that part of the 1935 Social Security Act that provided support to "deprived" children, replacing it with a forced work program for the children's caregiver parent. they in effect legalized slavery... again. It is impossible to discuss workfare or welfare by "putting aside the questions of whether women in need of welfare should be required to work." That is how we have arrived at this shameful period in our country's history. During nine years of very controlled welfare "debate" (actually superficial propaganda), we heard that welfare was a broken system that needed to be fixed with an effective work program. The welfare P.R. experts, whether working for politicians, corporate media, feminist profession­ als, or union activists aggressively silenced a crucial truth: the welfare that they all spoke of is simply a very punitive, meager child support program (or children "deprived" of a dad's support Was this child support system as defective as the private system where only 20% of dads support their children three years after leaving them? Absolutely not. Was this child support system as effective as that other child support program created by the 1935 Social Security Act, the plan that guarantees government support to children until the : Page 4 age of 18 if they are "deprived" of a dad through death or disability, whether mom stays home or works for pay? Hardly. We were never allowed fo compare AFDC child support to these other two child support systems in an effort to improve it. On the contrary, we were led to believe that child support plays absolutely no role in this debate or program! Child support became so invisible, it was never even included in the routine list of "solutions" proposed by the right, the left, the middle, the feminists and the socialists: job training, jobs, child care, health care- for the caregiver mothers. If the U.S. American people could be con­ vinced to forget about child support (and never acknowledge motherwork). then our policorp (politicians working for corporations) "leaders" would be free to replace a child support program with a forced work program- for the mothers who cared for the "deprived" children, not the fathers who had abandoned them. But why require mothers to work off the (other's debt to society? Why spend millions of dollars and hours outlining petty details of barbaric methods to force mothers to work off a puny $370 child support check each month while limiting that support to 2-5 years of the child's 18 dependent years? Why insist that the caregiving mothers are "dependent," when it is the fathers who depend on the government to pay their child support and depend on the mothers to raise their children? Why create a forced work program for highly responsible, single. overworked mothers instead of the irrespon­ sible, abandoning debtor dads? A simple answer is: we live in a patriarchy i.e. a father-run society. But even many of our anti­ patriarchy feminist-run institutions have been willing to "put aside the question" of forcing women to work for welfare child support. (They would no doubt feel differently about a law co force the 20% of women who receive private child support to work it off.) And too many of our leftist friends accept the concept of women forced to work for welfare child support- as long as they can organize the victims into unions. So maybe misogyny isn't the only answer. The five million moms who in any given year are desperate enough to go through the degrading contortions necessary to secure some puny, govern­ ment child support are vulnerable to nearly any blackmail scheme created by the policorps who need slaves to increase their profits. And our country became wealthy on the backs of forced no-wage. African American workers. (Didn't the P.R. policorps experts argue in those days that the slaves were merely working off the shack and food slop given them by their owner-bosses?) Single mothers are vulnerable in ways that few non-mothers can fathom . Socially, legally. emotionally assaulted (and yes. often physically assaulted as well because cowards prefer the vulnerable), single mothers quickly discover that we are at the mercy of anyone who wants use us. We watched in horror politicians used single mothers to get elected, to avoid dealing with real problems, and to receive money from corporations. We trembled when corporations learned they could use single moms as low-wage workers by having politicians threaten us with no-wage work, and as no-wage workers when we could not find or continue paid work. We cried out in dismay and despair when professionals and non-profits (including feminists) discovered that they, too, could use single moms to easily maintain their secure, suburban life-styles, by providing mandatory "job training," "job search," ''parenting classes," "job orientation," "therapy," and unpaid "work experience." Finally we grieved and raged while watching the legal social work professionals earn huge salaries by separating and removing our children from us while alleging that we were child abusers. When we fought back with words and actions, we were silenced by friend and foe who told us that "work will set you free." (A sign over Auschwitz' gate) In Milwaukee one of our most oppressive "JOBS" programs. run by Goodwill �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Pages 'UC Hospital' cont. from Page 1... problem is going to be getting folks signed up. When you are living on the streets or do not have the mental capability to comprehend things well, you probably will not follow through with signing up for programs. The folks who will be hit the hardest are the chronic homeless and the mentally ill. As concerned citizens we need to address this issue now. Do not wait until it affects large numbers of people. Holmes Pharmacy is just the beginning. Their next target is certainly the main hospital pharmacy. This will affect a large number of people in the Cincinnati area. What will be next? Don't we all have a right to medical care? The city still has a lawsuit going on this issue. So, call your city council members and express your concern! The homeless use Downtown 's Washington Park as a place to rest during the day. Industries, advertises on the side of our buses, "Believe in the power of work." Anonymous callers to the Welfare Warriors Mothers Organizing Center curse us and sing "Get a Job." Poor mothers are the targets for this new slavery because our children make us susceptible to vile blackmail while most absent fathers' indifference to their children makes them immune to it. What's more, mothers world-wide make better slaves than fathers because we have so many responsibilities at home that we rarely find time to organize for better working conditions. (And this is an international phenomena. In our multi-policorp world of NAFTA, GATT and SAP, women are the majority of workers in all low-wage, dirty, dangerous jobs.) Finally, by forcing poor fathers out of the workforce and thereby out of the home, there are few male allies/ obstacles to stop the policorps from forcing poor mothers into slavery. The class attacks cause most of our profes­ sional feminist sisters to "set aside the question of whether" caregiver moms should be forced to work for child support. And the class attack allows professional African Americans to agree that "work will set (poor, black women) free." The race attack (aren't most moms on welfar e black?) allows the misinformed whites of all classes (except the welfare class) to join together with the ruling Euro-policorps to attack single (black) moms. The sexist attack allows the union fellows to believe the solution is not to eliminate slavery, but to organize the slaves. And of course the mother-hatred allows everyone to indulge in the age old habit of blaming the mother. Such a lethal combo of hatreds can only b combated by NOT setting aside the question of whether single mothers should b forced to work for government child support. We will only begin to stop the ruthless unity of our policorps when we challenge the lies and omissions that pretend that "work" is the god that will set poor, single mothers free- any work but motherwork: forced work, unpaid work, low-wage work or slave work. Money, not work, is what sets the rich free. Money, not work, is what provides the professionals with security and leisure time. Money, not work, is what a child needs to be assured of a childhood and loving one-on-one care. Money, not forced work, is what a single mother needs to effectively do the motherwork alone and the father's work when she can. Whether we call it "Mothers' Pension" (the name for welfare from 1920-1935), or "Family Allowance' (as in European countries), or simply "government child support," the solution is guaran­ teed child support for all dependent minors- not forced work "programs" for their caregiving moth­ ers. 'Panhandling' continued from Page One... Deputy Solicitor Robert Johnstone and Councilmember Phil Heimlich, who sponsored the ordinances said the city will likely appeal the ruling to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Heimlich said that the decision goes against decisions in other cities. However, as usual, Mr. Heimlich has not done his homework. Recently, judges in Atlanta and Miami have also ruled against ordinances that violate the civil rights of homeless individuals. The National Coalition For the Homeless continues to monitor these discriminatory laws through the Civil Rights Monitoring Project. Mr. Heimlich's statement claiming that this ordinance was originated because of safety has no validity. In an unscientific poll done by Streecvibes r eporters on 4th street, most people that agreed to talk had little or nothing bad to say about panhandlers except that they were annoying at times; not one person even mentioned safety. Judge Sherman sighted five reasons why the ordinances fail the constitutionality test: the City did not have a significant interest in enacting the ordinances: even if the city did have significant interest the two ordinances are not tailored to serve that interest: the ordinances are not content neutral; The city restrictions on speech are unreasonable; The ordinances do not leave open alternative means for panhandlers to communicate. We hope this ruling finally puts an end to attempts to criminalize those that already suffer the day to day horrors of being poor in this city. We hope that this also puts to rest concerns about this nonexistent safety issue so that more attention can be placed on real safety issue's, such as crumbling school buildings, and open air drug trafficking. Finally if our city leaders pay a little more attention to the poor and push for a livable wage instead of giving wealthy tax breaks, (Just last week the city voted to stop caxing stock options), there wouldn't be a need to panhandle. "Drop Inn Center" Opens New Program June 26 by Pat Clifford, Director The Drop Inn Center is celebrating its twenty­ fifth anniversary by opening up a new program for homeless women. On Friday, June 26th, an Open House will be held for the Women's "Full Circle" Program at the Center. Between eight and sixteen women will participate in this intensive program of personal growth. Once a woman completes all the phases in six to eight months, they will be eligible for our new Transitional House at I 126 Elm Street. This newly rehabbed building will house six women who are working to maintain social and financial stability. The name "Full Circle" is meant to symbolize the wholistic approach being used in the program. Annie Coleman, the Coordinator of the Women's Program said, "The program will reflect a continuous effort to provide an enriching and educational experience. W e intend to work together to see that people do not continue to be displaced, that jobs are created and that all opportunities become accessible and possible." The Open House falls on another significant date for the Drop Inn Center: the twenty fifth anniversary of opening the one room storefront Drop Inn on Vine Street. At that time, the Drop Inn was only open part of the day and provided limited services to 20-50 males. The current Drop Inn Center serves 250 people each day with not only food and shelter but men's and women's programs and transitional housing. To commemorate the day, the Drop Inn Center will host tours of the new facilities starting at 2:30 PM. They will then have a dedication cer­ emony at 3:30 PM in the McCracken Room on the third floor of the women's section. The room is handicapped accessible with an elevator for all who wish to attend. The ceremony will include songs, talks and an award ceremony. If you have any questions about the Drop Inn Center Women's Full Circle Program or would like to volunteer or donate anything. call Annie Coleman at 721-0643. �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine WORD ON THE "Fly By's by STREET Others a·nd Arts & Poetry Hale-Bopp" WASHINGTON PARK by Steven Michael Rutherford T he Sounds of Children Bring a Joy o f Laughter The re in Summers Sweet Magic World Pool of Fun. Children Echo Cries That Cover Subtle Whispers of Life Moments of Reality That Rest Inhabitants Therein. Pillars of Buckeye Trees Stand As Tall Monuments to a Hidden World Shaded by Nature's Blend of Men. Birds Huddle and Disperse On a Secret Command. Chasing Seeds. Granted. Especially For. Them. End of the Road for Some A New Beginning for Others All in One Place Page 6 Compassion For The Poor by James Hobbs (thinking on Hale-Bopp and shooting stars in general) As we have therefore the oppotunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them "':'ho are of t he household of faith: Gal.vi. I 0. by Dan Gibbons Aw ake, my charity, and feed The hungry soul, and clothe the poor; In heaven are found no sons of need, T here all these duties are no more. Neon red a comet lasered across my sight, A Promethean arrow incising a velvet black night. "Are you here lost, tracing fire across our endless ebony sky?" "How, and in what millennia were you born, and W hy?" "Are you whiter hot magma or methane­ chromed ice?" No matter, I think not from here will I see you twice. "Do galaxian travelers like you numbly suc­ cumb in flight?" Or as Dylan said do you "Rage at the dying of your light!" At the end, "Will we fly by a glimpse of fire in a sky?" Musing mankind's flirt with immolation makes me cry. Or when the end comes, "Will we float alone and cold?" It seems legions of red-hot meteors 0 knew once flashed old. Maurice I've never met anyone like you I'm not sure what to do When I speak, you cannot listen But I'm sure you want to You try to do what's right Somehow it all goes wrong You do t he strangest things And try to get along Others have no patience that I can understand It's hard to be a little boy When you feel like such a man Still all in all I love you and I won't turn away I'll just keep on praying for the things to do and say I've never met anyone like you I'm not sure what to do So I'll just keep on reaching out till you start reaching too Washington Park. IF YOU WRITE POETRY AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR WORK IN STREETVIBES, CALL 421-7803 OR FAX US AT 421-7813 RACHAEL by Denise Crew Little Ballerina Poised and sure As graceful as a feather Gently blown on a soft wind A more beautiful sight I shall never see God has given a gift to you That I must take from thee How will I tell you Will you understand The problem I face is No cash on hand I see the other children Will be in class next week I will keep on hoping A reduced or classes free Keep dancing, I will find a way Keep your dream alive And if not... I shall remember how you danced Until the day I die. Our Apo logies.... Last Month, long-time Streetvibes writers Denise Crew and Judi Mendriski were not given credit for the poems they submitted. Please forgive this error. Guidance I have to pull myself together or decide to be with you forever I know your needs were for your two but now your children are mine too T hey've told everyone their mama is coming to meet your family. I want so much for you and me to make a happy family. But not deep down in Mississippi What to do I have no clue I can't see being without you You want to take me as your wife Make a commitment to you for life You don't understand the strife All this has brought into my life I have my work, my fri ends, my goals but I want your hand to hold. I don't want to live alo ne I want my ho use to be a home My children- will they understand leaving home to love a man So I'll just sit and pray to see what is in God's plan for me STREETVIBES Sweat and T-Shirt:s! Only $5 for T's, $10 for Sweats. STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine 100% White Cotton Shirts and long Sleeve Sweat Shirts XL, Purple logo T-shirts and Sweat Shirts are available at our office at I 506 Elm Street. Please stop by and see us. �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Hom eless Grapevine grant for "support services." The bill also tries to "eliminate duplication" by requiring federal depart­ ments to coordinate their efforts to assist the homeless. Sponsored by Rep. Rick Lazio (R-NY) and backed by several housing groups, the measure also authorizes Congress to spend up to $1 billion year on homeless assistance through the year 2002, which is an increase from the current level of $823 million. Lazio was quoted as saying that homelessness and hunger have gotten worse even though federal funding for homeless programs have more than doubled during the 1990's. Spare Change Newspaper, April 8 - April 22, 1998 Report Documents Rise In Homelessness Bums/de Cadillac, vol.3 no.4, Aprll 1998 The Washington Post Company Welfare-to-Work Since January of 1995, the number of people on welfare rolls in Maryland has dropped by 39 percent, apparently because of a "Work. not Welfare" cax-incentive program. The program offers a financial incentive for Maryland businesses if they hire welfare recipients- two tax credits: one for a portion of the amount paid out in wages and the other for child care expenses. Employers who hire a person who has been on welfare at least three months can claim a tax credit of a maximum of $1 ,800 during the person's first year of employment, $1 ,200 during the second, and $600 during the third. Additionally. employers who pay for or provide child care to the employees can receive a taX credit of as much as $600 in the first year of employment. $500 in the second, and $400 in the third. Credits are not available for an employee hired to replace an employee who is on strike or has been laid off. Maryland says taxpayers are also benefrting, since the state is realizing a savings of roughly $2 in welfare payments for every $1 in tax credits taken under the program. The program, however. will end July I, unless legislators and the governor extend it for another three years. 1998 Associated Press Streamllnlng Housing and Urban Development (HUD} Seven programs that aid the homeless may be consolidated into a block grant for states and local governments, according to legislation the House approved March 3, 1998. The bill is part of the Republican-controlled Congress' effort to "stream­ line" HUD. The Clinton administration, however, has "concerns." It objects to provisions that would preserve approximately one-third of the funds for developing permanent housing, and discourages states and local officials and others who serve the homeless from using more than 35 percent of any Subscribe to Streetvlbes Subscriptions t o Street vibes can be purcha se d for $ 12 pe r ye ar. Please send a check to the be low address and the pape r will be maile d to yo u each issue. Streetv ib e s I 506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 Please make checks payable to the Great e r C incinnati Co ali­ tion for the Home less-­ Streetvibe s. If you have any que stions, call 421 -7803. 1997 marked the I0th anniversary of the signing of the first comprehensive piece of Federal homelessness legislat.ion, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. In an effort to examine how this nation has fared in its efforts to address homelessness over the past decade, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) completed detailed research on homelessness in IS geographic locations - 11 urban, rural, and suburban commu­ nities in 4 states. The results of this research, as well as interviews with local, state, and national service providers and advocates, are contained in NCH's new report, Homelessness in America: Unabated ­ A Ten Year Perspective. The report documents a dramatic increase in homelessness over the past ten to fifteen years. Most of the communities studied doubled or tripled their shelter capacity in order to respond to increasing homelessness.. A second finding from the report is that despite the tremendous expansion of the shelter system, demand for emergency shelter far exceeds supply. The report also documents significant increases in the number of children who are homeless. Other findings from the report include increases in the number of employed persons who are homeless and the increasing prevalence of policies restricting access to shelter. Real Change Newspaper, Seattle Congress Slashes legal Aid In 1996, Congress slashed funding for Legal Aid to two-thirds of its previous budget, leaving many low-income citizens without the legal services they need. For fiscal year 1998, only $238 million is being distributed to 275 programs across the U.S. Lawyers for Legal Aid have found themselves able to assist in only the most desperate cases, forcing many low-income citizens to attempt to navigate the legal system on their own. {Studies have shown that those who attempt to represent themselves in court usually do so poorly.) Over one-third of the cases brought to legal Aid clinics are of a domestic nature, from divorce to obtaining restraining orders against abusive spouses. Housing and battles over public benefits make up the bulk of the rest. Without help. the poor are receiving less than equal justice in our nation's courts. Handsnet U.S. Economic Divide Widens A report called "The Millennium Breach" says the economic and radical divide in the United States not only has materialized. it's getting wider. "While leaders and pundits talk of full employ­ ment, inner-city unemployment is at crisis levels," said the Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation, "The rich are getting richer. the poor are getting poorer, and minorities are suffering disproportionately." "People need to become aware that things are getting worse again," said the new report's co­ Page 7 .-'1..'XOTllER C'L .\ SS PRODt:CTIO~ Oise.Jockey Service CLIFFORD JONES (513) 761 ·3464 (513) 230-6353 Community Celebration. Live Music! Every Sunday -6PM Free of Charge Nast-Trinity United Methodist Church 1320 Race St. Cincinnati 721-7339 In Memory of 11 Mac 11 Who Believed In Human Rights For Everyone & Who Founded Justice Watch .•• Because 'Everyone' included Prisoners and Former Prisonors. Jimmy Heath Photography Cincinnati - (SU) S64-98S6 E-Mail - jimmy_ huth @juno . com Friends and Neighbors of Over-the-Rhine An Organization Seeking Justice for People in Cincinnati's Most Endangered Community Subscribe to STREETVIBESI For only $12 per year you can have STREETVIBES delivered to your home every month. National and local Stories on Issues regarding homelessness and the poor. News, Information, Personal Stories and more, written every month by homeless and formerly homeless persons... Send Check or Money Order for $12 to: 'National News' continued on Page 9 Streetvlbes C/ O Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Hom eless Grapevine Page B REFUGEES IN AZERBAIJAN: An Internal Displacement byBrettZwollnskl Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in late 1991 , Azerbaijan became an independent country. It is situated on the west coast of the Caspian Sea between Russia. Georgia.Armenia. and Iran. Comparable in size to the state of Maine. Azerbaijan has a population of approximately 7.5 million. Last month I had the chance to visit my brother, Chad Zwolinski, in the capital city of Baku. It is located on a peninsula which juts out from the west coast of the Caspian Sea. Chad is a student at Baku State University who has maintained friendships with several Azerbaijani (Azari) students. Particularly, he has befriended refugee children who spend much of their time at the campus requesting alms from passersby. As a result o f a week long visit, I was able to share in Chad's experiences with the refugees and even interview o ne refugee studying at the University. For personal reasons, the interviewee's name has been changed to Alshan Rahimi. Alshan is a 19 year-old male majoring in International Relations and is Vice President of the Student Union at Baku State University. Being a refugee himself, I found Alshan helpful in providing insight to the problems surrounding the refugee crisis. For purposes of simplifying an actual complex problem, he at­ tempted to explain the crisis in Azerbaijan by grouping it into three problem areas: Territorial Integrity, Refugees, and International Relations. Foremost, there is the problem ofTerritorial Integrity. Armenia, a neighboring country on the western border, now occupies 20% of Azerbaijan's western region known as Karabakh. Their ominous presence poses a threat to Azerbaijan's integrity and security in what was once a peaceful region. Comparable in size to the state of Mary­ land. the po pulation of Armenia is o nly about 3 million. It has been suggested that Armenia's interest could be highly motivated by the fertile land as well as mineral wealth in gold located in the Karabakh region and not from the lack of living space. Since 1989 the two nations have been at war over the Armenian Occupation. Alshan said that since 1994 there has been a cease-fire between the two countries and negotia­ tions for a peace settlement have been moving slowly. Armenia's appropriation and occupation of the Karabakh region has been the cause for the vast majority of refugees in Azerbaijan. Despite Azerbaijan's unequaled refugee problem, the world knows almost nothing about it. The President, Heydar Aliyev, stated that "The world should know that of all the countries on earth.Azerbaijan has the highest ratio of refugees per capita. No other country in the world has such a great proportion of refugees." About one of every seven people living in Azerbaijan are refugees (about 1.3 million today). There are two categories of refugees in Azerbaijan. First, there are the refugees from Armenia who were living in there native homes as Armenian Citizens up until 1988. Despite their vehement opposition.Armenian and Soviet troops forcefully deported them from Armenia because of their Azari ethnicity. There are approximately 300,000 people fitting this category. Alshan was one of these 300,000 and this is his personal account from our interview: Alshan Rahimi was living in Armenia in 1988 at the age of 8 years-old, whereupon the deporta­ tion of Azaris commenced. He was living in a large village near the border ofAzerbaijan, when the Armenian Government announced that all Azaris must leave the country. Alshan said that, "Upon seizing the people of the village, the troops didn't say anything." Armenian and Soviet troops took up arms against the defenseless villagers in November 1998. Alshan said, the troops "...came to the village in one night shooting and five were killed. We were forced to agree to leave, losing all property behind just saving ourselves." Alshan and the people of his village walked about 3 miles to the border where they were received by the Chad wi th 'stacked-up ' Azar/ refugee family. Azari government. The second category consists of refugees who are citizens ofAzerbaijan. Approximately I million of Azerbaijan's 7.5 million people are refugees that have been internally displaced as a result of the Armenian appropriation and occupation of the Karabakh region. The internal displacement Azari people have known is unthinkably tragic. These refugees have known great sorrow: they have been forced to abandon their native homeland, watch their lives and homes destroyed, and lose many relatives during Armenia's ethnic cleansing. (Nearly 50.000 innocentAzari civilians were killed during this ethnic cleansing.) The fate of many Azaris in the last I 0 years has been similar. However, the situation for refugees has been exacerbated due to the lack of resources and international support. As a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union in late 1991, Azerbaijan lost the little support it was receiving to absorb and provide for the needs of refugees. Most refugees are forced to live in refugee camps. stacked up, or in the streets with no shelter o r food. Ultimately, there is the perpetual problem of International Relations as Azerbaijan's economic potential is disputed by members of the international arena. Baku is home to a burgeoning petroleum industry largely exploited by western warlords of the oil industry. Considering our heavy reliance upon petroleum for life in the modern age.Azerbaijan has great potential for continued energy e.xploitation in the future. Already.Azerbaijan has entered into contrac­ tual agreements with several transnational American and European oil companies estimated at $30 billion! Paradoxically, Baku is the most densely refugee populated city in a country holding claim to the highest ratio of refugees per capita. Approximately 250,000 take refuge in the city of Baku. Now, the myriads of refugees who are displaced throughout the land can only sit back and hope for the economy to "trickle down" to them. Furthermore, during the process of Westerniza­ tion, Azerbaijan has encountered much opposition with neighboring countries. For example, the regional power houses of Iran and Russia are traditionally and at most times vehemently opposed to western influ­ ences. Particularly, Iran's past relations with Western petroleum industry have seen unparalleled opposition. As a result of its West centered policies.Azerbaijan is experiencing a strong amount of pressure to meet varying expectations. Support from theWest has not been tantamount in stature to the extent which Azerbaijan has sacrificed its relations with neighboring countries. For example, The United States has been particularly lacking in its support, even relinquishing support by means of solicited sanctions. Alshan was explaining .to m e the U.S. Government's Freedom Support Act with which many Americans are unfamiliar. Alshan said that the Freedom Support Act is a U.S. Government program to provide aid to the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union. However,Alshan stated that. Photo by Brett Zwollnskl "The 907th Amendment prohibits Amer ican aid to Azerbaijan. This Amendment was adopted in the U.S. Congress in 1992 under pressures of the Armenian Lobby." The pretext for the 907th Amendment is that Azerbaijan is keeping Armenia in a blockade and therefore prohibiting trade and transportation through Azerbaijan. Alshan was outraged that such impudence would be allowed to prevail in the United States. Even though economic sanctions aimed at Azerbaijan have been frowned upon by several U.S. Officials including "President Clinton, President Bush, Madeline Albright," Alshan believes that injustice has run its course through the U.S. Congress. The irony is thick. Ambassador Hafiz M. Pashayev o f Azerbaijan shed light on this irony in The Washington Post on March 12, 1997 stating: I) "Armenia receives the second-largest per capita aid from the United States. while at the same time Armenia's ethnic lobby groups in Washington are responsible fo r a ban on any direct U.S. assis­ tance [to the Azerbaijan government] to about I million refugees in Azerbaijan." 2) "Armenian forces now occupy 20 percent of Azerbaijan, which has no territorial claims against Armenia or any other country. But because the U.S. Congress favors the Armenian aggressor, that created a million refugees and punishes the victims of aggression." 3) " Despite Armenia's flawed election and drift toward autocratic rule, the administration and Congress-atArmenia's behest-.-prevented U.S. Officials from assisting in Azerbaijan's init.ial presiden­ tial and parliamentary elections and from promoting democratic institutions." 4) "America responded in World Wars I and II to Korea and Iraq to prevent territorial expansion through force. At a recent Lisbon Summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).Armenia was the only country out of 54 that opposed a statement affirming Azerbaijan's territorial sovereignty. America's response: contin­ ued aid for Armenia. Foreign policy experts say countries always act in the ir own best interest. In this case, I wonder." Alshan asked me the question, "What if a neighboring country of the u.s: w: re to declare war on the states and occupy it (leaving one of every seven U.S. Citizens a refugee)!" He said that in such a state of war, "it becomes necessary to blockade the aggressor in order to maintain security." To impose such sanctions as the U.S. has upon Azerbaijan "...even a child can understand this is not just," exclaims Alshan. A Letter From Azerbaijan: The following letter was sent by my brother, Chad Zwolinski, from Azerbaijan. Soon ofter receiving this letter, I was on my woy to visit him in this country of burgeoning refuge. I had the fortunate opportunity to share in my brother's experiences by visiting some of the �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine refugees In Baku. I found them to be warm and congenial people who shared ofthemselves well beyond their means. I consider it an honor and a gift to have been enlightened by their meek and charitable spirits. The word for refugee in the Azari language is "gachgin," meaning "one who runs." It is my earnest hope that one day providence will allow them refuge and security from their long suffering pain: Brett. Every other Thursday, the American Embassy shows a movie in the evening and anyone holding an American passport is able to attend. Thursday is otherwise one of our basketball nights, but we skip it if the movie is worth watching. Last Thursday the movie was not so good- G.I. Jane-but we were feeling lazy and decided to go anyway. The place we play basketball is near the Embassy, and so we take the same route to both the Embassy and to play basketball. Often, on the way to basketball, we will see our refugee friends from the Un iversity in the streets, between cars, asking for money (while the light is red of course). I've said for weeks that if I see them again, I will get out and play with them instead of playing basketball-but we've not seen them since saying this. So. we're on our way to the Embassy. and I'm not even thinking of this possibility, and suddenly we see one of the older girls, Gunay (Goo-nigh). I did not want to stop if it was just her, but then we also see Ramin (Rahmeen). And a few seconds later, we see Ayten (Eye-ten), and her brother Alshan. So Jill and I became terribly excited and had the taxi pull over. We told the others to go on and that we'd meet up with them at the movie. As usual, their faces lit up when they saw us, they came running to us, hugging us, etc. And, as usual, they asked us to buy them a Coke or Fanta or Sprite, and we did. I was trying to talk to Ayten, which is difficult when you don't really know the same language, when she said that we were near her house. So, here we are. walking down this street, and then more down an alley. then behind buildings, etc.- Ayten and Gunay holding Jill's hands. Ramin and Alshan holding on to my hands (Alshan holding his 1.5 litre Coke in his other hand, hardly able to keep up with me, and hardly able to hold on to his Coke. We get to their house (see photo, page 8), if it can be called a house, and it is just one little room (which we later discovered that Ayten,Afshan, and their FOUR other sisters live with their Mom, their Dad is in prison). They sat us down on the bed, there was only one for all six people that live there (there was no room for another bed), while they either sat on the floor or stood. They served us tea and cookie/pastry things and bread (and more tea, and more tea, and more tea). Evenc:ually more of the kids we know from the university showed up. and when they would come in and see us there, they just couldn't believe it. It was one thing for us to befriend them on campus. but I suppose they were surprised to see us at their house. We just sat there on the bed-all of the kids wanted to hold our hands and hug us. Alshan, normally shy, was talking up a storm and hugging me the entire time. There are perhaps 5 or 6 families represented in the kids we know at the university-and most of their mothers were also there when we arrived, along with other kids we didn't know, and more eventually showed up. At one point, there had to be close to 20 people in this one little room. I have not enjoyed myself more since I've been here. These little kids, with no dads, and moms not doing so great a job of showing them love. It is about the saddest thing I've seen in my life. No money, always wearing the same clothes, 6+ people living in one house (one room!). made by their parents to beg for money, nearly everyone treating them like second class people (make that people without class). It is painful to look at their pictures. it hurts just to think about them. Anyway, I have been praying for a chance to get to know their mothers so that either they could visit our house or we theirs. And this was better than anything I could have prayed for. When we left, they walked us to the street and Alshan asked me to pick him up and carry him. He put his little head on my shoulder and hugged me, as if holding on for dear fife, all the way to the street (about two blocks away). They were all hugging us and kissing us good­ bye. It was such a fun time. I am honored that they would invite me to their home, and the moms invited us to come back whenever we want to (and of course the kids asked us on Friday if we were coming over again that night). Chad Page _9 NEEDLE ­ EXCHANGE ADVOCATES GET TO THE POINT Capital CoWJrage: Media In the Pub/le Interest 'National News...' from Page 7 cont. author, Fred Harris, a former Democratic senator from Oklahoma and member of the Kerner Commis­ sion. "They need to see their own self-interest in this - That it doesn't make sense to have these underutilized regions in the country and these underutilized people whose lives are being wasted." The report says an estimated $56 billion would be needed to carry out its recommendations: Expand funding for successful programs like Head Start. reduce investments for ineffective programs and cut corporate welfare and military spending. The report cites mountains of statistics: while the national jobless rate is below 5 percent, unem­ ployment rates for young in places like south-central Los Angeles have topped 30 percent; the child poverty rate in America is 4 times the average of Western European countries; the incarceration rate of black men in the U.S. is 4 times higher than the same rate in South Africa under apartheid; and 43 percent of minority children attend urban schools, usually where more than half the students are poor and more than two-thirds fail to reach even basic levels of national tests. The Homeless Grapevine Issue 26 United Nations Accused of Violating UN Charter Patricia Ireland, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), was granted a hearing with the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the International Labor Organization. Frustrated by the repressive stance taken by fede ral, local, and state governments regarding the problems of the poor and homeless people, activists across the United States are beginning to demand that their human rights, under international law, be respected and protected. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" which states: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well­ being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing. housing. and medical care." (Article 25). When the United States signed the United Nations Charter, the terms of that Charter became the supreme law of the land. Therefore, it is the duty of the federal, state, and local governments to protect any and all rights granted its citizens under the U N Charter. Support Your Local Vendor... Tell A Friend About Streetvi bes! Greater Cincinnati health activists and officials are in a full court press to air the importance of local needle exchange programs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C virus, and other blood-borne illnesses. In the wake of recent media attention on the Clinton Administration's endorsement of exchange programs, but failure to fund the controversial medical protocol, three substantive forums are scheduled here to air the issues. Ken Vail, founder of C leveland's Xchange Point and an internationally recognized expert on AIDS prevention and harm reduction, will hold a work­ shop on his efforts at the POZ Life Expo on Friday (May I) at 2.:30 p.m. in Room 4 12 o f the University of Cincinnati's Tangeman University Center in Clifton. Participants will critically examine their own personal philosophies of drug use, treatment, needle exchange, and their interconnections, says Vail, w ho has masters degrees in arts and public health and co-founded a California needle-exchange program in 1989. In all, I0 workshops ranging from spirituality to stress reduction will round o ut the May I POZ event co-sponsored by Everybody's News and AIDS, Medicine. and Miracles. A second session is sched­ uled at Covington's Riverview Hotel May 2. Call AIDS Volunteers of Northern Kentucky (483-5757) for details. T he following Friday, May 8, the Cincinnati Health Department and Council memberTyrone Yates will convene a roundtable of local health leaders and a viewing of a satellite broadcast from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on HIV surveillance and prevention. Cleveland Needle Exchanger Arrested last year, DRCN et members wrote to officials and media outlets in the city of Cleveland on behalf ofThe Xchange Point, a privately funded needle exchange program which had shut down under threat of prosecution by the city government. The city had issued an emergency order permitting needle exchanges to operate, but then revised it so as to specifically prohibit The Xchange Point, despite efforts by the program to work out mut ually accept­ able ·conditions (http://drcnet.org/rapid/ 199711- 19­ 1.html). In May '97,The Xchange Point resumed operations, thanks in part to the many letters from DRC Net m embers and other supporters (http:// www.drcnte.org/rapid/1997/5-2- I.html}. We have more than four times as many readers now as we did 'Needle Exchanger' cont. on Page 13 �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Hom eless Grapevine I hope our participation was what you were shooting for. I look forward to the next workshop. hope to hear from you soon. Thanks, Eugene M. (Prospect House) UNFULFILLED AS A WOMAN By Lisa Baker I think that as a woman I need a child to feel motivated and that that need is unfulfilled. And I think the need to have kept my child would have been a means for the man who forced me co access me. I felt the pull of him, because if I had a man to protect me and my child, then I wouldn't have been so vulnerable to having people move in on me... to convince me I wasn't going to be able to keep my bond with my baby so alone like that. People like him abuse the necessity of their role and people are there to rob me of the notion that I can make it without a man. I'm not sure, but I think women still have some very serious rights issues to address. I have to motivate myself without a child and I'm not convinced its natural. My admitting I experienced depression and receiving assistance for it lead me to being open prey for the adoption agency I'd looked into. But. I decided not to follow through with it, to persist. Children Services whom I asked for two weeks of foster care from potentially would never return my child. My therapist fore­ warned me that Children Services might never return my child and evenwally adopt him out themselves with no consent from me and my case manager. I strategically gave my baby up for adoption. It was the best choice given the circumstances, but my question is if circumstances like that should be allowed to continue to people like me? People who just asked for a little help. who care about their baby, and who wouldn't have asked for help if they didn't love their baby and showed it by asking for help. I wasn't told when I received assistance, due to my depression, that I was in a roundabout way forfeiting my right to mother the baby I nurtured in my womb and gave birth to. So, if you would need even a little help, especially in the initial care for your baby, then make sure your family can help you before having a baby. Or, come to terms with adoption or abortion and consider a method of contraception that would protect you form becom­ ing pregnant under the circumstances of rape, incestual molestation, or domestic abuse. This is an issue to be addressed by all women once they menstruate and any woman or man who may need in any amount some form of help regard­ ing childcare. Keep your bases covered because no one can help you clear your conscience if you don't and there will easily be someone to advantage form your mistake. Continuum of Care Mr. Donald Whitehead, I want to thank you for letting us participate in che Homeless Coalition Workshop. It allowed me to be of service in my community. This is a very big part of my recovery. That is getting out of myself and helping another person. {Ed. Note: Eugene was one of the participants in the Continuum of Care Workshop held at Peaslee Neighborhood Center, April 27th, and sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. This workshop allowed participants, which included homeless and formerly homeless individuals and service providers, an opportunity to discuss and strategize funding programs and priorities for HUD {Housing and Urban Development} allocations. By listening to client needs and priorities, service providers can then structure programs that meet those needs. HUD and the Homeless Coalition encourages client participation in these discussions with the belief that know one knows the needs better than the poor and homeless that these programs will serve. Lost year, successful participation in these discussions by clients brought millions of dollars to the dty in program development funding.) Page 10 individuals pay their state employees sixteen to twenty plus dollars an hour to help further corrupt the prisoner so that he returns to the syttem once he is released. They are actually taught the art of dehumanization in classrooms. I would love to be sitting behind a desk waiting for the returns on my investments, but not at the detriment of society or its children. I have seen a lot of things take place on the inside, and it's all manipulated by the administra­ tion at the cost of the prisoner and society. I am currently and adequately stressing that their is an extreme abuse and waste of millions of dollars of taxpayers money by a defunct system. They bleed you for taX dollars to currently invest in a penal system that is not only nonproductive in its goal, but does not receive all of these tax dollars. However, the real conditions existing within the prisons are hidden form society by smooth talking and manipulative bureaucrats. It is bleeding the laborer, small businessman. and the elderly, instead of building a solid tomorrow through your children! These wastes of resources need to stop, but I, as a prisoner. can do nothing. It must be you, the one who the system is really hurting. A prisoner who speaks out is threatened, abused, or retaliated against and sometimes even stopped by a system that is corrupt. This same system is supposed to change the cognitive process of the prisoner from the idea of criminal activities and work to change them into being productive citizens. Think about your children and the future of society. And cake a stand against a corrupt system. It doesn't accom­ plish anything by pretending chat it does not exist. Instead you must contact your state officials and voice your concern. Or change your voting issues the nexc time you visit the polls. You can contact your district representative or senator. WHAT'S OHIO'S CONCEPT OF REHABILITATION? SLAVE LABOR by Dan Cahill In Struggle, James W. Pryor Does the State of Ohio have a concept of the word Rehabilitation and it's fundamental purpose? Ohio has developed a billion dollars a year business that is steadily growing, while educational opportuni­ ties for your children greatly dissipate. We must ask. why has the penal system become a system full of revolving door prisons while today's kids are shooting and killing their classmates? The right to rehabilitation is defined as the right to an opportunity to return to society with a better chance of being a useful citizen and staying out of prison. This right requires not only education and therapy. but also a nondestructive prison environment, and when possible, less restrictive alternatives to incarceration. However, in Ohio, the prisoner is warehoused in a corrupt and dehumanizing system. Education and counseling are virtually nonexistent. Yet drugs, homosexuality, overcrowding, maltreatment, and many other forms of abuse exist within today's prisons. Society is kept in the dark about these abuses and the form of prisoner it creates for return into society. They are kept in the dark so that the bureaucrats can capitalize off of the misfortune of the prisoner by receiving federal grants. Yet schools within society are not receiving appropriate funding to properly educate your children. I advise that you watch the news and see what society's children are being turned into by the individuals who run the system and why they are implementing tougher laws for juveniles. They are being made the future prisoners of Ohio because its become a billion dollars a year industry that's growing even larger. Tell me of any businessman that doesn't want a large rewrn on his investments. Ohio mass produces prisoners who leave a system angry and wanton for vengeance upon a system that has abused them during their entire incarceration. These same The Governor recently signed into law Senate Bill 111. This is an oppressive piece of legislation that will have a negative impact on many aspects of the criminal (ln)justice system. Part of this bill will enable prison officials to charge prisoners a fee for medical services. The fee will automatically be deducted from prisoners' "state pay." State pay is the amount of money the prison system gives prisoners each month to purchase necessary hygiene articles that the state does not supply prisoners with. State pay ranges from $3.00 to $22.00 depending on a prisoners status. What this means is that prisoners will literally have to choose between buying tooth paste or paying for medical care. A severely ill prisoner will have to pay all his/her state pay for medical care and will have nothing left for hygiene articles. · Another part of the bill will allow the state to charge prisoners for their cost of imprisonment. and will virtually ensure that prisoners will never be able to break out of the cycle of poverty and imprison­ ment. This debt will follow prisoners out into the free world once they're released and will result in indentured servitude for many years, if not for the remainder of their lives. The bill further encourages prison officials to establish "work programs" and aggressively market the slave labor of prisoners to private industries, and severely limits the safety requirements that prisoners must work under. This new law also requires the state prison system to establish an involuntary testing of prison­ ers for HIV/AIDS, and also enables the state to test people outside the prison system involuntarily for contagious diseases. It's ironic that this piece of oppressive legislation was supported by Senator Eugene Watts, who was recently convicted himself of pancaking honorarium fees to avoid reporting this · source of income. The real criminals never make it to prison, and they're the ones governing our lives and freedoms . Slavery is alive and flourishing in America! �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Streetvlbes Crossword by Paul linden Page 11 Findlay Market Outreach by Ron Carter Across 1. Christian Sabbath Day 5. Month of Ground Hog Day 11 . Tire Nuts 13. At Any Time 14. Double Stuffed Cookies 15. Island of Immigration 16. Seller of Streetvibes* 18. Cherishes 20. Recovery Group 21 . Flightless Bird 24. Keystone State{abbr.} 25. School Group Fighting Drunk Driving 26 . Longhorn State 28. An Equal 30. A Command or Request 32. Having Uttle Money 33. Path for Vehicles 34. Type of Tree 35. Writing Fluid 36. Smallest State 38. Colorfull Season 40. 24 Hours 41 . A Beverage 42. A Stone 44. Season for Blooming 45. Buckeye State Capital 49. Calif. City 50. Coldest Season 52. Mardi Gras Day of Week 56. Beware of the Ides or 59. 1st State to Ratify the Constitution 62. Season of Schoollessness 64. Roc.ky Mountain State{abbr.} 65. Dairy State of the East 67. AMa.rsh 69. Japanese Currency 70. Charged Particle 71 . State with Columbia as Capital{abbr} 72. Sewing Material 73. Carries Blood Away From Heart 74. Buckeye State 75. ... 76. To Splice n . A lie 78. FormerSuperPower .••upon this rock I will build my church••• Matt.16:18 by Evangelist Rodney Sutton, Sr. Answers.Jo Crossword on Page 13 HAIKU Scramble 1. Half a School Year 2. Sun's Rays 3. Carson City is the Capital or_ _ _ __ 4. Intense Fear 5. To Predict 6. Hospital Department 7. Gentlemen Callers 8. Spare the_; Spoil the Child 9. Entertained Military 10. Beatles' Song 11. Mouth Part 12. You and Me Subs criptions to Streetvibe s can be purchased for $12 per year. Please send a che ck to the be low address and the pape r will b e m aile d to you each issue . Streetvibes I506 Elm St reet C incinnat i, OH 452 10 Please m a ke ch ecks pay­ a ble t o t he G reater Cincinnati C oalitio n for t he Hom e less-· Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421 -7803. Words From The Evangelist I want to begin by thanking you all for your prayers and calls of support. Because of your prayers God has blessed AWOL Ministries with a building at 2305 West 8th Street. It is on the corner of West 8th and State Avenue. I have spent the last part of May cleaning the building, and with your continued prayers, support, and pledges. I hope to spend the month of June meeting with community leaders and ordinary people to assess the co mmunity needs and how AWOL Ministries can meet those needs. However, I am in need of folding chairs, religious pictures, a po dium and other miscellaneous church items. Please call 2 10-4181 for information and to help. · Down Subscribe to Streetvlbes 17. Entrance 19. Two of Clubs eg. 22. Mythical Sea Creature 23. Rainy Month 24. Summit 27. Secret Agent 29. A Very Long Time 30. Northwestern Coast State 31 . Office Table 37. A Round Object 38. Very Well Known 39. Heartland State 40. Winter Month 41. Holds Water 43. Hawaiian Dance 44. Weekend Day 46. Mother's Day Month 47. Fish Fry Day{abbr} 48. Summer Month 51 . Not Here 53. Recent Olympic City 54. Settlements of a Dispute 55. Fake 56. I, Myself 57. Military Branch 58. Little Jack_ _ 60. To Avoid 61 . A Great Lake 63. Great lake State{abbr} 66. Additional 68. Cereal Grains 71 . To Weep Uncontrolably Since the last issue o f Streetvibes was printed I have still been collecting signatures for my O ne-Way Vine Street petition. It has been going really well, I must say. I have been able to talk a lot of people into signing the petitio n after they had told me t hat they had no interest in doing so. A lot of the shoppers never knew that Vine St. was fo rmerly two­ way in O ver-the-Rhine. After I explain to them how much of a problem it was with all the accidents and congestion, they really can't understand why anyone would want to change it back. So me of the shoppers said they remember how it was or heard stories of how it was on two-way Vine. And they think it would be a disaster to change it back. As far as anyone losing business on Vine because of O ne­ Way as it is, in my o pinio n, is a bunch o f bull. Because if I wasn't doing well if I owned a business because the direction of the street that my business was located on was changed then I think I would have to find me a new location. On the other hand, if you are selling a product that I want in your store I would still come to your store no matter how the street had been changed if you have been fa ir with me as far as prices are concerned, etc. I know I am not the only one who feels that way. So let's think hard about what is more important; two-way or O N E-WAY VINE. l'll leave you with this thought. Until next time please try to Keep One-Way Vine On Your Mind. T hank you. by Brett Zwollnskl by Ron An unrhymed Japanese verse form of three lines containing usually 5, 7, 5, (or 7, 5, and 7) syllables respectively. Please submit your suggestions for monthly Haiku to Brett Zwo linski, at STREETVIBES. Now, Anna Mitchell's Haiku: a defiant child white knuckled for redemption searching for a self Carter Try to unscramble these related wo rds: LUQLAS PORCOE SLECSLI MIHLCHIE TONUREP ENTESR LRYIRTL TEYSA N BIRNUW NEO YWA NEIV TERSET Answers on page 15. �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Homelessness: handouts not the answer by Te 'tro Amaru Have you ever thought about homeless people, other than wishing they would bathe and stop damaging your nostril tissues? Better yet, do you even truly care about homeless people? Come on, be honest with yourself. It's just you and me here and I can't even hear you. Well, I'm going to keep it real. I'm not losing any sleep over America's homeless situation. And depending upon my mood on any given day, I'm likely to walk on or over a homeless person lying in my way. I don't give to charities because there's no telling whose pockets are being filled and I don't believe that Jerry even has any kids. Also, Sally Struthers has gained at least 300 pounds since she initially asked people to send money to help feed little Juju and other starving children. So I'm sure you can conclude for yourself whose been eating the children's meals and why they're still starving. I don't give hand-outs or spare change because it really doesn't get a person anywhere. It's the same concept as the Black Republicans: tokens only take you for a ride and then you're quickly back to where you started. Don't get me wrong, I love all my peoples with a passion from the down and outs to the sell-outs. And although the homeless dilemma transcends all racial and cultural barriers, the question is, how do we find a meaningful and effective solution to the problem? Is developing soup kitchens, temporary shelters and passing out gifts of spare change du ring the holiday seasons the answer? Or is the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act of 1996, the answer? Is having college students sleep outside decorated cardboard boxes at Shantytown and promoting homeless awareness for a week, the answer? Have you ever contemplated how and why it is that homeless people have come to find themselves at such a low position in life? Not every homeless person is lazy or lacks the motivation to seek and secure a job. The reason could be as simple as having some slumlord not accept your rent when it's five days late and evict you as a result. With family twelve hours away, limited friends who you don't wish to intrude upon, and an independent nature and will to succeed- becoming homeless arrives very easily. Other factors for the cause of homelessness may occur through the shortage of affordable rental housing, mental illness, domestic violence and chemical dependency among others. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty used a projected annual rate of increase of 5 percent to produce a 1996 estimate of 760,000 people homeless on any given night and 1.2 to 2 million people who have experienced homelessness during one year. For the last seven to eight weeks I was one of the homeless, camping out on the Herald train tracks and under the Victory Parkway bridge. or sleeping in the study lounges of various dormitories I could get into. I used to joke about being homeless and maintain that I would rob and steal before ever living on the streets. I suppose a lot of white people are fortunate for my changed state of mind, since I refuse to rob and steal from my own people (call it a "black thang.") Being virtually jobless and with limited funds. affordable housing became a major issue and a problem. Sure I could always rent a house on Winding Way and return to the infamous entrepreneurialship to pay the enormous and outrageous rent. But with so many prep kids acting like cool kids, constantly wanting to get high on credit, get busted and then wanting to narc on you. I'm not with it. I'm too close to fulfilling my dreams and in three to four years, I'll hopefully be racking in the dough anyway. Hard times make you distinguish and realize who your true friends are from the every day hi-bye rumor spreaders. The public could learn a lesson from my family for their undying love and uncondi­ tional support (you'll have your BMW before you know it, Mommy), or from Sherwin Anderson (who I love like family) who was always there for me. The public could also take a few cues from all the cool kids who let me duck the cruel weather by periodically crashing out at their places (when I'm knocking heads professionally, I'll remember who all helped finance my education over the years). And I thank open-minded people like Pudgy and DMK who took down the "No Niggers Al­ lowed" signs and gave me a place to sleep for about two weeks. So as I continue to journey on a mission for success while not allowing anyone nor anything to block my dreams (even if it means working at McDonalds, cha-ching). I'm left clueless as to the answer to the homeless situation in America. The research I've gathered shows there are more or less hand-outs and financial assistance given on the federal level. But it's time someone, somewhere stopped providing governmental dependency programs for the homeless and begin guiding and teaching homeless individuals how to provide for themselves. There is an old saying that if you give a man a fish he'll eat for a day, but if you show him how to fish , he'll eat for life. I'm just one person with a lot of questions and few answers to a problem that affects all of us (humanity) whether we acknowledge it or not.. Editors Note: Mr. Amoru is a former colum­ nist (or the Xavier Newswire. Some of the views represented in this article could be interpreted by some as separatist, even racial. In no way are the views set forth in this article meant to be representa­ tive of those working or serving here at Streetvibes. Our intent is merely to publish articles to be read at each individuals discretion. Finally, we here at Streetvibes encourage your responses and input regarding articles published in Streetvibes. Finally, upon receiving your comments, we will toke into consideration publishing them as well. Mark Salter Celebrates Recovery Nine months ago I could not even imagine living and enjoying life drug free . Today I "cel­ ebrated" 9 months clean, thanks to God, the fellowships, and the desire to stay clean and sober. graduated from the Drop-Inn Center live-in drug rehabilitation program. I imagine for some the word "graduated" may seem kind of paradoxical because one doesn't quite graduate in "recovery." So let me clarify: To graduate from a substance abuse program means to me that one has followed the rules and suggestions related to learning to live life on life's terms without the use of drugs. It means to me, after developing a foundation rooted in honesty. open mindedness and the willingness, one has become prepared to face life one day at a time. For me that was the hard part. I used drugs to boost my self esteem, to medicate self-pity and sadness. It didn't stop there. I used drugs always to celebrate something, anything, and everything. However, using drugs robbed me of my true Page 12 happiness. When I graduated, I graduated from an atmosphere of recovery, perhaps to some a safe­ haven. To an independent life, where I am respon­ sible and held responsible for the life I have now to live. In a sense, I've finally grown up. But oh! Don't get me wrong. The process doesn't stop. Living in a program helped me to develop a habit of being aware of my thoughts, feelings, actions, and reactions while giving me some tools to discern from the positive and negative ones. Then putting to use those tools. My life is still a life, just like many others. But for me it is truly a blessing never having to worry and wonder how am I going to get high Today. And truly some days being clean is "as good as it gets" (to quote another). For me, the greatest gift is being clean. Everything after that is a blessing. For me, the day I stopped using was relatively easy. the hard part was not picking up again... from habit or conditioning, barding the compulsion. I remember an addict saying this: There are 3 things co remem­ ber that will help in recovery: I) Don'-t use. 2) Don't use. 3) Don't use. I accept this, because I'm finding as long as I don't use. I've got a chance. Now I'm discovering that life has more to offer than just having a job, a relationship, and a little money. But I choose not to disclose that. Because that is some­ thing that is between you and your higher power. Besides. I can't explain it. Life has a lot to offer. I know some days when its the "Same ?#?!, different day" syndrome. But it's our perspective that makes it so. The closedness of our minds that makes life seem so monotonous. Make a change! Cut back on the coffee, cut back on the meat. Read a book. go to a play or concert. Do something different! Join a gym, learn a new language or a new skill. Stop building yourself a prison wall around your life! Give yourself a break, cry something new. One day at a time. There is a passion that dwells within, which is ignited by love, honesty, and God. Make your tomorrow by planting seeds of kindness, patience. and understanding. Simply because it doesn't hurt anyone when you say it's OK, I understand. A Relationship With an Addict by Maryann Bravo Living with addicts is not easy because you never know when the person is going to change on you. last year I met a recovering addict. We became friends lacer on down the line. I fell in love with him. I fell in love with him for so many reasons. I) He has changed his life for the better. 2) He is trying so hard to stay clean. After a few months being with him, I didn't understand why he was going to these meetings. I find thatALANON meeting groups help me better my life and understand the man I love and going through our relationship. It's going so good. When I got into this relationship I knew this was not going to be easy. After being with him for a few months, I can see the difference in his life. If you get into a relationship with a recovering addict, you have to go to your own meetings to understand the person you love. And going through, I thank God for giving me a chance with this man. Being a part of his life makes me happy and joyful. �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Ravings of a Mad Womyn a monthly attempt to chip away at the rule of the Establishment .• by Ma/aka "the personal is political'' is a theory that Black people definitely know (though feminists were the first to put it that way). I chink that we know that better than anybody. My grandmother (like many Black grandmothers) expressed this to me early when she·d talk about "racism" by talkin about growing up poor and Black in the South in the '30s. In face. it was these experiences- of being called "nigger", of having to go to segregated schools, of not getting certain jobs- that fueled the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s. The masses then were empowered. because the idea was, "my first-hand knowledge makes me an expert." But is that the truth? ls personal experience and political consciousness the same thing? Black feminist scholar bell hooks addressed this point in her book, Ain't I a Woman (notice she spelled womyn wrong) when she wrote,"to experi­ ence the pain of race hatred or to witness that pain is not to understand it's origin, evolution, or impact on world history." Oh, so that would.be the difference between the militant activist and the wino who blames "da white man": consciousness comes from the examination of the structures of domination (no. I didn't steal that from Jesse Jackson). Which means that seeing how oppression plays out in our own lives is an important step in the process toward "politicization"- but it shouldn't end there. When it does end there, that is when we think of racism as only what we "see" and what "affects" me, we don't even begin co realize the magnitude of the problem or the magnitude of our strength. And, of course, by denying two key facts , that there is a problem and that power, even to the point of revolution, lies within the hands of the masses, things continue to go. ya know, "business as usual"; so I'd like to comment on where I see that certain knowledge has been "sanitized". We know the history of this country right? As related to theyAfrican-American experience, basically we were slaves until the Civil W ar. However, two things that aren't often discussed related to this are I) the economic system that thrived o n exploitation then is the same one that we are under now (capitalism) 2) slavery did not happen peacefully. That's actually an understatement. Slaves were known to burn fields and even kill their masters (Angela Davis discusses this in Women, Race & Class). Knowing this history would be to understand the "origin" that hooks speaks of. And to have knowledge of the history of anything is to gain perspective about it and to get a glimpse of it (racism in this case) at it's most basic level. So how has racism evolved? Oh, where to begin... the Blacks who were slaves then are "wage slaves" today, making much less than Whites on average, and that's if you can even get a permanent job. Many permanent jobs have moved out of the country where others, people of color elsewhere, do the work for much less than even their standard of living, because capitalism still rewards the exploita­ tion of the masses. Also. for profit prisons combined with for sell politicians are making a killing ware­ housing the poor. And of course. it's still very easy to make something look bad by attaching a dark face to it (welfare must be abolished! we need cameras on every corner! keep out those immigrants!) The greatest lesson of slavery, though is that overt repression does not work. So. co-optation, rewarding individuals instead of conceding to the demands of the masses. is now the preferred method. That's why there are prominent Blacks everywhere­ in politics, sports. on the police force, on your T.V.­ but little improvement of the Black condition. And those who won't put personal gain over collective relief, (Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier,Assata i 1 ·;.· Shakur, etc.) put 'em in jail and hope that the masses forget about them - which is real easy to do when it doesn't get in the paper somehow. The economic plans that will help bring about the "new world order" (NAFTA, GATT & MAI), are overtly racist and will serve to keep the "third world" far behind for quite a long time. But of course, this isn't newswor­ thy either. So, in keeping with it's history. America continues to tell us that: I) there is no problem (by denying that the growing number of prisons, growing resentment of non-white immigrants, and the "world economy" that's only working for a small minority is connected to race-based oppression) and that 2) we have no power (that our, "da man is just screwing us" attitude is just a hallucination, and that most people are doing fine). But of course, that I, a 19 year old African­ American womyn is writing this is proof, in my mind, that the resistance movement is still alive and kickin'. That you have to hunt down a homeless person sellin a paper in order to get these ideas is proof that we still have a long ways to go. Alright so now that you realize that racism still exists and it still has a real impact on people's lives (you can find other specific examples yourself by just reading between the lines) what do you do? Well, I say go out and make some noise, but I have faith that the noise will be made eventually- it's too hard to believe that humanity could continue along it's present course for much longer. 'Needle Exchanger' cont. from Page 9 then and The Xchange Point needs our help again. This morning (4/28), Ken Vail, founder and Executive Director ofThe Exchange Point. Cleveland's second needle exchange program, was arrested, only two days after returning from the North American Syringe Exchange convention, where attendees were warmly welcomed by Baltimore's mayor and commissioner of public health. Ken has been charged with an "unclassified misde­ meanor," a pretty minor charge, but is being held in jail with ball set at $ I 0,000. His lawyer is working to get him released. Ken was arrested for violating the City's health emergency order on syringe exchange that was revised earlier this year. The revised regulations had asked programs to desist from syringe exchange until they had demonstrated widespread community support through a variety of mechanisms such as community forums. Ken has been working on increasing the community support. but has been vocal in criticizing the desist component of the order. A warrant was issued for his arrest. and he turned himself In this morning. The city's accion threatens to increase the spread of drug-related HIV/ AIDS, hepatitis and other diseases. The timing of the arrest, and the unusually high bond for an offense that would typically carry no bond, raises the suspicion that the arrest was politically motivated - not only, perhaps. as individual retaliation against Ken Vail, but as a backlash against the headway that needle exchange has made during the last several days: Eight days ago the Secretary of Health & Human Services endorsed needle exchange in principle for the first time. and three days ago several members Page 13 of the Congressional Black Caucus called for drug czar Barry McCaffrey's resignation because of his covert maneuvering to undermine other members of the Clinton administration who support needle exchange (more about this in the next Week Online). CAL L THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC OFFICIALS: Mayor Michael R. White: (216) 664-2000 (switchboard open from 8:30am-4:30pm EST) via fax: (216) 664 28 15 via mall: City of Cleveland City Hall 60 I Lakeside Avenue Cleveland, O H 441 14 Public Health Director Robert 0 . Staib: (216) 664-4370 via fax: (216) 664-2197 via mail: City of Cleveland 1925 St. Clair Avenue Cleveland, OH 441 14 City AIDS Czar Bob Bucklew: (2 16) 420-8504 Subscribe to Streetvlbes Subscr iptions to Streetvibes can be p u r­ chase d for $ 12 pe r ye ar. Please se nd a che ck t o the be low address a nd the pape r will be m aile d to you each issue. Streetvibes I506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 Please m a ke che cks payable to the Greater Cincinnati Coa litio n for the Home le ss--Streetvibes. If you have any que stio ns, call 421 -7803 . Answers to Streetvlbes Crossword from Page 11... �' STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 14 The RECOVERY HOTEL makes a difference in lives and the community The Recovery Hotel is a 20 unit SRO (Single Room Occupancy) apartment building for individuals seeking a sober living arrangement in a secure building. Most of the Recovery Hotel residents hove completed some kind of treatment program and ore looking for the kind of continued support offered by living in a drug and alcohol-free building, while taking steps to get their lives back in order. Located at 1225 Vine Street in Over-The-Rhine, the building is a formerly abandoned tenement that required a lot of hard work by volunteers and community activists. Thousands of hours of volunteer labor were needed to completely gut the old structure and make it ready (or rehab. Community activists fought long and hard (or funds and city approval of the project. The struggle to complete the project took nearly a decade. Finally completed in December of 1995, the Recovery Hotel stands as a notional model (or programs of its type. Living in the Hotel allows residents to adjust to independent living after leaving a structured recovery program. The Recovery Hotel by Robert Brown The Recovery Hotel provides the atmosphere of recovery. It is just about in the heart the Over The Rhine niehborhood of Downtown Cincinnati. At the Recovery Hotel you have access to a lot of places within walking distance. Like churches. 12 step meeting places, stores, the library. Community Centers, and o ther services. We are located at 1225 Vine Street. Across from us is a bus swp that can connect you to UC (University of Cincinnati) College, UC Hospital, and other hospitals in that area. The Recovery Hotel is secure. We have desk managers on duty day and night just in case you need to speak to someone about anything. W e have 20 units for men only. They are furnished w ith refrigerators, stoves, and bedroom furniture. The electric. bills are reasonable, if you like them like that. We have a nice large lobby with a recreation room which we are in the process of improving. You will have access to a washer and dryer in a large basement where you can work out if you like. The only requirement is 6 months clean and an honest desire to stay that way. If this is your idea of a place you can work your program, call us today at 421­ 0227. The Recovety Hotel, at 1225 Vine Street in Over-The-Rhine To live at the Recovery Hotel... by Bobby Lyles The Recovery Hotel, located at 1225 Vine Street in Over The Rhine, is a recovery facility for housing twenty adult men in recovery from sub­ stance abuse. The hotel is a shelter plus care program and is SRO (Single Room Occupancy). It was opened in 1996 by the Drop Inn-Center and ReSTOC. It is staffed by three house managers and coordinated by Bobby Lyles. The basic requirement is recent completion of a treatment program of a 5 to 6 month period of time. We are currently accepting applications that can be obtained at the hotel. The hotel is Section 8, meaning that for those who qualify, CMHA (Cincin­ nati Metropolitan Housing Authority) will pay the part of their rent above thirty percent of their gross income. There is a refundable security deposit of $297. After completing the application process, Recovery Hotel staff will guide you through the interview and Section 8 procedure. While in the program, residents have daily rap sessions with a house manager and attend both in­ house and outside AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings as well as weekly house meetings. Any additional information can be obtained by calling 421-0227 or the Drop-Inn-Center (721-0643) located at 217 West 12th Street. Cincinnati, Ohio 45210. Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority Help Wanted Catholic Worker House 1437 .Walnut Street, OTR Shelter for 15 homel ess men needs house staff member. Should be able to Interact with formerly homeless men and be willing to work flexible hours. For more Information, call Patrick at 381-4941 or send resume. Looking for a place to call home? Call the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority Affordable rent that never exceeds 30°/o of your income ... Many buildings equipped with security systems ... Units located on buslines and near stores, schools, hospitals, banks Rental units are available in these family and senior communities: Avondale Hopple Street/Fairmount West End Winton Place For more information, call 421-8190 today. �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine ANNOUNCING A new Gro up at A VOC... For Heterosexuals l iving With Aids Are you looking for a broader knowledge of the challenge of llv/ng with HIV/ AIDS? Would you /Ike to meet people who share slmllar experiences and hear their coping strategies? Are you looking for peers wi th who ou can discuss and plan for the future? FREE POLITICAL PRISONERS by Sonny Wiiiiams On March 27th, hundreds marched in front of the White House to demand the freedom of political prisoners in the United States. We have two political prisoner's In the Ohio Prison System that should be supported: Dan Cahill at Orient Prison and John Perotti at Lucasville Prison, If you are interested to write these prisoners, write to: COME MEET WITH US STARTING ON2/5/ 98 Where: AVOC " Gray Room" When: 1st and 3rd Thursdays 6:30 PM to B:PM More Information: Susan or Judy 421-2437 Ohio Prisoner's Rights Union P. 0. Box 1746 Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-1746 Lalwn Band Look!pc Cor Work Street,•ibes (the band). We lik to pally. R&B. Oldies. Blues/ Jazz. Reggae. Helping 1h.: horneless t.ll help 1hen1selves through free enterprize. Call 421-7803. Streetvibes is now accepting Classified Ads for items such as Help Wanted, Items for Sale, Apart­ ments for Rent and other non-personal items. The race is only $ 1 per line. approxrmacely four words per line. Classified ads are due by the 20th of the month. People below the poverty level will be allowed five free lines for six months to advertise their skills or products to our readers. Otherwise, payment muse be received before the ad will run. No refunds will be made. Also, if there is an error, notify us after the first printing. You will be given an extra month of ad time. Mail the ad copy to: Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 or fax it to 42 1-78 13 Scramble Answers from page 11. .. Qualls Cooper Cissell He/ml/ch Portune Sterne Tiiiery Yates Winburn One Way Vine Street 1 forsale Native American cookies: orders being accepted; R. C. Janus, (Fax) 891-8663 Looking for a laborer? Has worked at Riverfront. Is willing to do any kind of work. Call Sonia Craig at the Drop Inn Center. 721­ 0643 . Elderly or Children Looking for a community oriented job dealing with elderly or children. 3 year ouriench worker/ counse lor aide at YMCA. 13 years typing. Computer and cashier experience inc luding Windows, Lo1us. Any Word Processor. Call Anj:iil Madyun nt the Drop Inn Center. 721-0643. o m ce worker aeeks 20-30 hour s it down job on bus line. wiLhin 2 miles of the river in either Kentucky or Ohio: no n-rnedical terminology, non-filing cabinet office work: social services. sales. public information. c rafts, and other background. some computer experience: contact Box 2, Streetvibes. 1506 Elm St., Cincinnali. 45210. Degreed, succesaful grants administrator/writer seeks commissio ned. free lance posi1ion as same: lcn percent commission per award. Contact J. Janus. Jr. (Fax) 891-8663. Native American-Hispanic female seeks sit down. slow­ paced industrial FACTORY position: physically challenged. (Fax) 89 1­ 866'.I. I . Streetvibes will be distributed for a $ 1 voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for donations more than $1 . I also understand that I will be able to keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. Future issues of Streetvibes will be purchased from the Homeless Coalition for 20 cents. 2. I agree that I will never distribute Streetvibes while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 3. I agree that I will not ask for do nations after 12 midnight. 4. I agree to treat others with respect. I will not use abusive language or force someone co give a donation. I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel threatened. 5. I agree that I will not supply copies of Maurice Mccrackin Day Saturday, June 27th. Come and Celebrate Mac 's l ife and Work · at The Commons, Ezzard Charles Drive. Picnic and Potluck 1 to 6 P. M. Speakers 1:30 P. M. Open Microphone Story Hour Starts at 3:30 (Anyone Who Cares to Share a Mac Story) Throughout The Afternoon Music Mac Memory Book Other Events Bring a blanket, some food for your family and the potluck••• SaJq .Repn;acptative Looking for pos ition as snles representative or management. Has good bookkeeping, typing and supervisory skills. Hns e xperience in retail management, c usto mer service nnd sales. Is available to work immediately. Call Dea Harris at 552-9351 very dependable and available immediaLely. Please contact Wiley Powell ill 831-8404. ~cpcy Restaurapt Work Responsible older man nble to work any shift. Has had experience as a cook :ind as a janitor. Would prefer work as a busser at a restaurant as well as work as a dishwasher or cook. Is Fee Lawyer N ol afraid of Catholic Church or PUCO. Send office hours and name of law school on letterhead paper to 1111 Elm S1reet. No . 432. Cincinnati, OH 45210. Streetvlbes Radio Hour On WAIF 88.3 Im The Homeless Coalition has a live radio program which can be heard on WAIF radio on the second Saturday of each month at noon. The show is co-hosted by Mary Burke, Donald Whitehead and other monthly guest hosts. The show mixes talk focusi ng on the stories in this paper and eclectic musical selections. Here are the next show dates. WAIF 88.3 fm Saturday, May 9th, 1998, noon to I pm STREETVIBES provides Classified Ads free to low income job seekers. Others may place ads for only$ I p er line. Call 421-7803 for info. Streetvlbes Vendor Code of Conduct Each vendor has to sign the following code to be able to sell the paper. Page 15 Streetvibes to persons who are not registered distributors. 6. 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. 7. I agree that I will not contest territories with other distributors. 8. 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. 9. I understand that the failure to comply with any of the above statements will result in me no longer being able to distribute Streetvibes. Advertise In Streetvl bes I Advertising in Str eetvibes is a chance for businesses to help a good cause while promoting themselves to 4,000 concerned people each month. The rates are shown below. Business Card Size 2" x 3 1/2" $10 per m onth Two Business Card Size 4" x 3 l /l" $20 per month A check or money order must accompany the ad copy. We reserve the right to deny any ad, especially those which promote alcohol or tobacco products. You will receive a full refund should your ad be denied. For larger ads, call the number below. Ads are due by the 20th of each month. If you need assistance in preparing your ad or have any other questions, call the Homeless Coali­ tion at 42 1-7803. Mail ads with payment to: Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, O H 4521 0 �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine VENDOR PROFILE: Streetvlbes TV The Streetvibes TY Show is produced at the facilities of Cincinnati Community Video. Some viewers might not see the show appear at the right channel or time during the next couple months as Warner Cable changes programming and channels. Streetvlbes TV June Schedule Earlene Moreland This month's LIVE SHOW will feature the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. Guests will feature activists and residents from this vital downtown Cincinnati community. Earlene is a 48 year-old young woman and Graduate of Hughes High School. She has one son and four grandchildren. She was raised in Corryville. Earlene has been a vendor since March and has become our most successful lady vendor. She enjoys selling the paper and talking to her customers about the paper. She has hopes of being able to travel all over the world some day, A dream she has had for a long time and keeps holding on to. Keep holding o n Earlene, dreams do come true. Earlene was a little shy about doing this profile, but I managed to get it out of her. Continue to spread the word, Earlene, and we wish you all the best. ...by Ron Carter Page 16 Saturday June 13, 1998, 4 PM Friday, June 12, 1998, 11 am Friday, June 19, 1998, 11 AM Monday, June 22. 1998, 10 PM Saturday, June 27, 1998, 4 PM Channel 7 Check your local TY listines for our LIVE Broadcast next month. Broadcast schedules a re subject to change - consult your local TV directory. If you have any ideas for future STREETYIBES TY shows please contact our office at 421-7803. We always enjoy hearing from our veiwing audience. Ideas should address subjects related to homeless­ ness and poverty in our city. We are always inter­ ested in viewer ideas, so please give us a call... Streetvlbes Wish List Streetvibes is published monthly on a shoe­ string budget. We depend heavily on the goodwill of many volunteers and donors. If you can help out with some of the items on our wish list please give us a call... >Adobe Photoshop Software for IBM to save scanning costs >Computer Monitor >Computer Printer >VCR to Show Streetvibes TV Show Episodes to Groups >Volunteer Copy Editors and Stories >Advertisers to help support the paper Vendor: 80 cents > Fax Machine r >Office Supplies >Computer for Streetvibes layout and writing Printing and Production: C all 421 -7803 if you can he lp! Streetvibes has a minimal overhead cost so that the vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. If anyone selling Streetvibes claims to be collecting for a private charity, please call our office at 42 1-7803. Thanks for your support. t If for some reason you find yourself homeless, contact a Coalition Member Agency for Shelter, Treatment, Housing or Services. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803 . SHELTERS: Women and Children 241-2757 Alice Paul House (abuse) 281-5770 YWCA Transitional living Prog. 557-2873 Bethany House 762-5660 Salvation Army 431 -8717 Welcome House SHELTER: Me n City Gospel Mission Garden Street House Joseph House (veterans) St. Francis- St. Joseph House Mt.Airy Center Volunteers of America 241 -5525 241 -0490 24 1-2965 381-4941 661-4620 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Caracole (AIDS) Chabad House Drop Inn Center (singles) Friars Club Haven House (Hamilton) 761-1480 821-5100 721-0643 381 -5432 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality Network 244-7226 961 -4080 Lighthouse Youth Center St.john's Temporary Housing 651 -6446 HOUSING 721-4580 CMHA 632-7149 Excel Development 241-0504 Miami Purchase 369-0004 OTR Housing Network 381-0954 ReSTOC Tender Mercies (Mental Ill) 721-8666 961-4555 Tom Geiger House TREATMENT: Women 241-7343 O .D.AA.T 921-7324 First Step Home TREATMENT: Me n 784-1853 Charlie's 3/4 House 921 -16 13 Prospect House 751-3260 Starting Over TREATMENT: Both 820-2947 NAHopeline 861-9966 A.AHodine 381-6660 C.CAT. 684-7956 Talbert House 491-4435 Transitions, Inc. 559-501 I VA Domiciliary OTHER SERVICES 421 -2437 AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 621 -5991 Appalachian Identity Center 231-6630 Beech Acres Center for Independent living Options 241-2600 591-2246 Churches Active in Northside 961-0600 Cincinnati Health Network 569- 1840 Community Action Agency 381-4242 Contact Center Emanuel Community Center 241-2563 Freestore/Foodbank 24 1- 1064 771-4800 Goodwill Industries 621-7149 Hamilton Co.Mental Health Bd. 632-7186 Hamilton Co.TB Control 357-4602 Health Resource Center Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 221-3679 House of Refuge Mission 241-9400 Legal Aid Society Madisonville Ed. & Assistance Ctr. 27 1-5501 72 1-481 1 Mary Magdalen House 621-0248 Oral Health Council 62 1-6364 Our Daily Bread 621-551 4 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 721-7660 Travelers Aid 721-7900 United Way 559-6656 VA Homeless Program Women's Crisis Center 491-3335 � 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 1998 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 June 1998 Vol 2, issue 18 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg. 1: Panhandling Ordinance Ruled Unconstitutional by Judge Sherman New University Hospital Policy Threatens Health of Poor Privatization at UC Hospital Pg 2: Cleveland News Pg. 3: Students Perspective Pg 4: Welfare News Pg. 5: Visible Homeless Drop Inn Center Pg 6: Arts & Poetry Pg. 7: Nationwide News Pg 8: Azerbaijan Refugees Pg. 9: Needle Exchange Pg. 10: Letters & Editorials Prisoners News Pg 13: Mad Womyn Pg 14: Recovery Hotel Pg 16: Vendor Profile Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project (curated by Katelyn Lusher) 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 June 1998 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Te' Tro Amaru Maryann Bravo Robert Brown Dan Cahill Ron Carter Pat Clifford Denise Crew Brian Davis Dr. Bob Donovan Dan Gibbons Jimmy Heath James Hobbs Paul Linden Bobby Lyles Judith Mendriski Mark Salter Malaka Sanders Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Sonny Williams Brett Zwolinski Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-sa/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a<span> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License</a>. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF addiction Bobby Lyles Brett Zwolinski Brian Davis Dan Cahill Dan Gibbons Denise Crew Donald Whitehead Dr. Bob Donovan Drop Inn Center health care HIV immigration James Hobbs Jimmy Heath Judith Mendriski Lynn Williams Mad Womyn Malaka Sanders Mark Salter Maryann Bravo panhandling Pat Clifford Paul Linden recovery refugees Robert Brown Ron Carter Sonny Williams Te' Tro Amaru The Recovery Hotel the visible homeless vendor profile welfare https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/beaccaea3ce697df7a3d4ea7ed96feaa.pdf 3ab0ca45f54acc7c5e5ae80d1685db41 PDF Text Text ·• DEMOLITION OF .CINCINNATI PUBLIC HOUSING CONTINUES TO CREATE CONTROVERSY by Jimmy Heath The controversy over the demolition of public housing in Cincinnati continues to be the focus of attention for many of this city's home­ less and low-income advocates. On Wednes­ day, May 27th, Cincinnati housing advocates rallied on the steps of City Hall to demand a moratorium on the demolition of low-income housing in this city's West End neighborhood. The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) claims that the demolition and rebuild· ing of the West End's Laurel Homes and Lincoln Court projects is necessary because of the aging infrastructure of the community. Devel­ oped in 1937, Laurel Homes is the second oldest public housing community in the United States. The proposed HUD grant, known as Hope VI, allows cities the use of federal HUD money to rebuild these aging housing projects. The redevelopment project is a planned collabo· ration between the City o1 Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and HUD. The CMHA application for a .Hope Vl grant to demolish and rebuild the . Lincoln Courts and Laurel Hornes housing projects received a unanimous endorsement from Cincinnati's City Council despite protests from concerned citizens, residents, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and other advocates. Many homeless advocates across the country site Hope VI redevelopment projects .. as contributing to the root cause of homelessness which is the lack of affordable housing. Critics and proponents of Hope VI realize that there are problems with subsidized public housing projects in this country, such as high crime rates and overall decay of the properties. However, due to the loss of avail­ able units because of Hope VI redevelopment, homeless advocates have been outspoken · - l-.;. .... . Lincoln Court housing project, in Cincinnati's West End neighborhood. Buildings are being demolished to make way for redevelopment. photo:JimmyHeath about their concerns. It is ironic to many of these advocates that as homeless shelter populations continue to grow, demolition of public housing continues. While bulldozers plow under vacated housing units to make way for Hope VI redevelopment, advocates say that shelter space for the homeless continues to dwindle. "A one-day point of time study indicates that there is nearly a 400% increase in the amount of children in shelters. The demolition of public housing ranks at or near the top as the reason for this increase in the homeless popula­ tion," says Donald Whitehead, Director of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. "And many of the people who have been moved Rally participants at Cincinnati City Hall demand a moratorium on the demolition of public housing. photobyJimmyHeath out to make way for these redevelopment projects move on to housing that continues to be sub-standard. Their quality of life has not improved." Nationwide, the effects of Hope VI projects are potentially devastating to low­ income persons. In addition to Hope VI pro­ grams, that result in potentially fewer available housing units, data shows that America is losing its supply of assisted housing at an accelerating rate due to decisions by owners to discontinue their participation in federal subsidy programs and raise rents to high market rates. More available housing is being lost because owners are choosing to 'opt out' of subsidized housing Section 8 programs. "We're losing this housing at a current rate of over 3,000 apartments per month," said Michael Bodaken, President of the National Housing Trust (NHT), a national nonprofit organization formed to preserve and fmprove federally assisted housing for low and moder­ ate income use. "This hpusing is an endan­ gered species. Once it's lost, it will never be replaced." Data compiled by the Trust shows that close to 100,000 units were lost since Congress allowed owners to pay off subsidized mortgage balances (called 'prepayment') on affordable housing complexes in April, 1996. Many advocates see the destruction of public housing and 'opt out' programs for landlords as 'economic cleansing' of low income people. The NHT has documented another 25,000 units which have been lost through owner decisions to opt out of expiring subsidy contracts in the past two years, a problem that is expected to grow in the future as long-term contracts expire over the next several years and owners in high market areas opt out of renewals. Owners will opt out of close to 200,000 more of these units in the next few years, according to a recent . memorandum issued by Recapitalization Advisors, which represents owner groups. 0 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES The Traveler The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Revisiting the Trail Of Tears by Donald Whitehead Streetvibes, the Tri-State's Home­ less Grapevine, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless, social justice and poverty related issues. It is published once a month, 12 issues a year, by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Vendors buy the paper for 20 cents (to cover printing costs) and then sell the paper for a dollar donation. The vendor kaeps the profits. The Streetvibes Vendor Program gives our vendors an opportunity to get back on their feet. All Streetvibes vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a badge. A case file is developed on each vendor so that we may track and help facilitate the vendors' move from poverty to self­ sufficiency. The Streetvibes Newspaper Plan­ ning Committee meets monthly to plan our issues and increase circulation. If you are interested in helping or have a com­ ment, story or editorial that you would like published please call 421 -7803. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. filltt Donald Whitehead, Director Jimmy Heath, Coordinator Ron Carter, Vendor Support Gina Miller, Rapid Exit Program Photographer Jimmy Heath Writers Malik Amilcar Ron Carter Denise Crew Anitra Freeman Richard Frye Amy Harpenau Lloyd Glen Jimmy Heath Mike Henson Shepard Andrew Martin Bonnie Neumeier Victor Velez Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Editorial Policy: Streetvibes accepts all letters, poems, comments or editorials. We will print everything we have room for, giving preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Please send all material to the following address: Streetvibes c/o Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 4521 o {513) 421-7803 fax (513) 421-7813 e-mail: homecoal@primax.net web page: http://cinci.com/gcch . Often I find myself traveling back in time as I go about the daily work of an advocate. This months' Traveler takes me back to a time when things were very similar, but very different. I would like to take you with me. While we will be traveling back in time, we will still be in today. History has a way of repeating itself. Oppression is often revisited by a completely different generation in a completely different setting. Different time, different place same results. Many years ago the Native Americans were visited by settlers. In the beginning there was a peaceful co-habitation. The settlers made peace with their Native American brothers and the land was plentiful, the space adequate for all. Soon, more settlers came and the space began to shrink. Tribal Chiefs and Indian Agents negotiated treaty after treaty. Each treaty was broken and more land was lost. Tribe after tribe was forced into smaller and smaller pieces of land. Finally _ tribes were marched off to reservations. Many Native Americans died on the trail of tears. Many lives were lost due to broken promises. Fast forward to today. For many years residents in public housing lived in harmony. Later as housing authorities.ignored them conditions worsened. Crime, drugs, and other activity increased. Residents near these properties ran to the suburbs in fear. Later, city officials, alarmed by the loss of tax dollars to the suburbs, began to pay more attention to those forgotten inner city communities. Developments sprung up near long forgotten public housing complexes. These developments were designed to recapture tax dollars and create an economic mix. Housing Authority Officials and Resident Council Represen­ tatives negotiated treaties (HOPE VI) to change the face of public housing. Promises were made to improve the economic mix in the community. Residents fed up with the crime, drugs and decaying buildings bought into promises of improved conditions. Residents' leaders were given all expense paid trips to other housing complexes around the country. Residents were led to believe that the newly developed housing was for them. The plans showed something completely different - most of the new housing was completely out of reach for the current residents. The new trail of tears is residents being displaced. Moved from inner-city communities to other locations, yet to be revealed. The thought of new housing, less crime and other amenities in the suburbs are a definite draw for residents that have long suffered from the inattention to there plight. The demolition of public housing is not the answer to solving the nations housing crisis. It will ultimately be seen as a miserable failure, a policy that ranks at the top of the list when it comes to failed.housing polices in this country. Well meaning resident councils have negotiated away thousands of units of housing. Housing Authority Officials boast about housing options. Housing options do not replace housing units. In Cincinnati the housing authority boasts that 78% of the people with Section-8 Vouchers find housing. That's great for the 78%. Hopefully, the housing they find is not substandard, or worse, like many residents in other cities are encountering. We really have tremendous concerns about the 22% that do not find their housing needs met at all. Some readers may think that the analogy is a stretch. After all, along the trail of tears many Page 2 people died. In the plight of the homeless many people have died. Every year hun­ dreds of homeless people are buried. Each year advocates memorialize 1OOO's of people who die on the streets The demolition of public housing is not the answer to solving the nations housing crisis. It will ultimately be seen as a miserable failure, a policy that ranks at the top of the list when it comes to failed housing polices... The issues around public housing effect me deeply. I have attended countless meetings where residents were given misin­ formation to the point were it was almost criminal. I have seen divide and conquer tactics skillfully used by housing authority officials. I have seen promising resident council representatives hired and silenced by housing authorities. I have held rallies against public housing demolition and had residents in favor of their own displacement try to shout me down. I've watched angry residents attack the character of any resi­ dent opposed to the housing authority's plans. Character assassination is an age old tactic that is used to discredit people with different opinions. How strange it is to see the same tactics used against low­ income, homeless and minority groups used by them to attack their own. To me that is one of the most unfortunate consequences unfolding in the new trail of tears. I hold on to the hope that maybe I am totally wrong and peoples lives will improve as a result of HOPE VI. I suspect that the opposite will occur and we will see increased homelessness and future displacement. History does not have to repeat itself. We do not have to see another trail of tears. Residents must not leave their future up to a very small number of representatives who's individual concerns outweigh their sense of community. I have tried to raise awareness to this issue by bringing it to the attention of the media. I hope that other communities have taken note. Soon the treaty makers (CMHA Officials) will be coming to a commu­ nity near you. Don't sell your neighbors homes away. We need to stop the new, 20th century trail of tears. buddys place opens Homeless Summit Walking Wounded The Broken City Arts & Poetry Comedy Corner National News Homeless Woman Killed Dad Helps Homeless Vendors Targeted Welfare News Electronic Funds Scramble Letters & Editorials Streetvibes Etc. Inmates Help Homeless Classified Ads Streetvibes Radio TV Schedule Page4 Pages Pages Page5 Page6 Pagel Pagel Pagel Page9 Page9 Page 10 Page 11 Page11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 15 Page 16 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine DOCTORS URGE OUTREACH TO HOMELESS TEENS By Norma Wagner - The Salt Lake Tribune Homeless and runaway teens are as mistrustful of medical-care providers as they are of police, social workers and other representa­ tives of "the establishment." "So creating and staffing a clinic to address their health-care needs does not mean they will come," say two organizers of successful teen clinics in Seattle. Homelessness among teens "is a long­ standing issue in the United States, and it's not exclusively isolated to urban centers; it's occur­ ring in rural areas and community neighbor­ hoods," said James Farrow, director of the division of adolescent medicine at the University of Washington. Farrow and Robert Deisher, a professor of pediatrics at the same Seattle university, spoke to residents and physicians at Primary Children's Medical Center on Thursday. Over the past 27 years, they have used innova­ tive methods to get kids living on the street to the clinics, and to staff and equip those centers by forming partnerships with state and community agencies. What started as a clinic in an abandoned hotel where the teens hung out turned into three clinics with 70 beds under the name CityDoc Homeless Youth Clinics, open evenings Mon­ days, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They treat more than 400 youths per year. They have succeeded in getting local hospitals to provide the lab work, and community centers to donate equipment and pharmaceutical supplies, enlisting the help of local and state agencies. "But none of it would have worked had they not reached out to the youths to get them to seek treatment," both men said. Farrow outlined several recommendations from the Society of Adolescent Medicine to help meet the health-care needs of homeless and runaway youths. The recommendations include: - Not making the clinics too institutional, but adapt services to meet teens' needs. - Enhance the youths' self-worth and dignity, and recognize they are in a crisis situa­ tion. - Make them welcome, provide continuity and invite them back. "They're fun to work with despite the complexity of their problems," Farrow said. "You can make a big difference in these kids' lives." The Homeless Youth Resource Center is the main source of help for homeless youth and runaways in Salt Lake City. The nonprofit center, located at 655 S. State, provides the youths with a warm place where they can get free food and clothing. About 150 homeless teens are estimated to be in Utah on any given day. The center in January opened a trar:isition home near 600 East and 700 South where a handful of homeless teens can live for up to six months to work on their futures by getting more education or job training, or working. And sick teens are referred to the Open Door Clinic housed Wednesday evenings at the City-County Health Department clinic at 600 S. 200 East. It is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and staffed by volunteer physicians, physician assistants, and residents from the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. But the Homeless Youth Resource Center is small, becoming increasingly cramped and struggling to meet all the teens' needs. "The center's board of directors is hoping to raise donations to move into a larger downtown building so the center and clinic could share space under the same roof," said Pamela Atkinson, board chairman. "What we're finding right now is that be­ sides food, clothing and shelter, they need counseling, physical health care, and mental­ health and dental care," said Atkinson, who also is vice president 6f mission services for the nonprofit, charitable lntermountain Health Care. 'They need mentoring, job counseling and education." "My goal is to see if we can't find some philanthropist willing to buy a building, remodel it and set it up for these homeless youths." San Francisco's MATRIX Targets Homeless Population ch@nce martin San Francisco Editorialist Scott Winokur's insight into MATRIX goes something like this: He went along with one of the Department of Human Service's 'outreach teams' to cover the story when then-Mayor Jordan initiated his 'quality of life' enforcement campaign against San Francisco's homeless community. The outreach teams were a public relations ruse. What he DIDN'T get to see, much less report, was the SFPD tactical squad officers who rolled up on the 'target population' about 5 minutes after the 'outreach teams' had left. Public areas where homeless people gathered and camped in groups were repeatedly swept by tac squad officers assisted by Depart­ ment of Public Works crews with trash-compac­ tor trucks. The officer would identify a tent, shopping cart, bedding , etc. and instruct the DPW crew to throw the stuff in the truck. If any bystander protested, the officer would ask that person if the belongings were theirs. If the person then answered 'yes', the officer would write a ticket for 'illegal lodging' or 'encamp­ ment' and leave the victim with instructions to not be there when the officer returned. If they answered 'no' they could watch the stuff get thrown in the truck and get compacted in with the garbage. Homeless people would accumu­ late multiple tickets, miss court dates, and, ultimately, have bench warrants issued for their arrest. I personally know of perhaps two people who received a temporary voucher for a SRO room from the DHS 'outreach teams', and maybe another who got hooked up with a GA check. After MATRIX was going full-tilt for a few months, the 'outreach team's' role unrav­ eled like the window dressing that it was, and SFPD officers would themselves perform 'outreach': distribute a handful of shelter bed vouchers each night to 'good' homeless people, 'MATRIX' cont. on page 5... Page 3 CONTAINERS DOUBLE AS HOUSING Units will be utilized by migrant cherry pickers MATTAWA, Washington: Shipping containers are being renovated as bunkhouses and family living quarters to shelter some of the hundreds of migrant workers who will come here to pick cherries this spring. Eight of the cargo containers are due to arrive soon, part of the $1.4 million Esperanza housing project coordinated by Grant County. Housing authority director Ken Palek hopes to have at least some of the units ready when cherry pickers begin to show up at the end of this month. "This is a pilot project to see what works and what doesn't," Palek said. It's also part of an effort to put an end to the shanty towns that spring up along the banks of the Columbia River each harvest season. A 1996 state Department of Health study found that some 37,000 of the state's 62,300 migrant workers had no place to live when they came to Washington. Many of the homeless laborers end up jammed into trailers or basements or sleep in their cars or in unsanitary camps along the river. "The housing here cannot keep up with the demand, especially during harvest," Mayor Judy Esser said. The contai_ners will be set up on five acres near a laundry, grocery and other basic services. "It doesn't do any good to put people far from town," Palek said. "Most of them don·t have reliable transportation to be driving to town for milk and bread." The steel containers will have plumbing, heating and cooling, and the interiors will re­ semble those of mobile homes. The rent will be $6 a day per person or $10 a day for a family, Palek said. Last summer, some migrant workers told health district staffers that they would be unwilling to pay anything for housing. Palek said there are legitimate costs, such as sewer and water, to be paid for with rent. "But there's another issue as well," he said. "If you give someone something for noth­ ing, they don't know its worth," he said. Subscribe to Streetvi bes! Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be purchased for $12 per year for 12 issues. Please send a check to the below address and the paper will be mailed to you each month. Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 4521 O Please make checks pay­ able to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless-­ Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421-7803. �---l 'STREETVIBES The Tri-State's ----- - Hom~les~ Grapevin~, ·"'·::'c.·~·: · Page ·~ ~~ with little or no resources using all we had in us to claim the right to stay in this land. He had a deep care and compassion for people who are homeless and with little or no incomes. He believed in peoples ability to overcome addictions and hopelessness. He was an advocate of the people to whom he gave hope by what he said and what he did, he never brushed people off. buddy worked hard at developing and sharing leadership for he believed in the power of the people. What he thought was just and right, he took action with others to carry it out. buddy's place OPENS ITS DOORS by Amy Harpenau Doormats position themselves outside several apartments, the smell of food cooking and the occasional shuffling of feet up and down the stairs have been long awaited sights and sounds of buddy's place, the most recent ReSTOC building to be rehabbed. The mission of buddy's place is unique and set a national precedent. The 20 apartments of buddy's are occupied by adults who were formerly homeless. Just days ago these individuals were sleeping on mats at the Drop Inn Center with 200 other individuals, undergoing alcohol and drug treatment programs or sleeping on heating grates, in parks or down on the river. Today, they have brand new, completely furnished apartments, a place where they can have friends over, seek refuge and peacefulness, cook a meal and most importantly a place to call home. This continuum of care, moving from the streets to housing, is what the Drop Inn Center and ReSTOC are about. Supportive services accompany the lease agreement of every buddy's place tenant. The tenant agrees to actively work with the Case Manager to develop a plan to attain healthy and productive futures, and the Resident Manager who also acts as a resource for the tenant and monitors the security of the building. The process by which this was accom­ plished was no easy task full of potholes and roadblocks . The building was sched­ uled to be demolished just before ReSTOC assumed ownership. Since then, ReSTOC staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to rehab the building to its current condition and provide safe, secure and affordable housing to those who need it the very most. The building assumed the name buddy's place from the founder of the Drop Inn Center and ReSTOC, friend and tireless advocate for the homeless after his death in 1996. buddy's place has only touched the surface in eliminating homelessness. The need for this type of housing is astounding. After accepting over 100 applications, conducting many interviews and placing referrals with other housing agencies, buddy's place has reached it's capacity and the interviews continue for people to be placed on a waiting list. buddy's place's are needed in every neighborhood in every city. In the meantime, the Drop Inn Center and ReSTOC will continue with an even deeper commitment to provide longer term solutions to homelessness. On June 121h , we will be celebrating the opening of the building as another positive er tion ReSTOC has made to the .... ., as they provide safe, .:ecu·~ ;,1!:':e 1ousing to low­ inco,'7'e in i1ki1 ats in Over-the-Rhine. Join us fr.r th~ ' ' -1tion. Music, entertain­ me11t, , • 0 ~ , ..1it, refreshments and tours of the building will be ~vai lable all day. Come and see the positive 1,,c>11tribUtions ReSTOC is making in Over-the-Rhine. - - -- - - - To buddy, every person had a face, a name. buddy's COMMITMENT IS REMEMBERED buddy gray made a commitment very young to dedicate his life energies to the cau~e of freedom, justice and peace for all humanity. He never wavered in that com­ mitment. To buddy, every person had a face, a name. He was a man with great passion and soul. A man who was moti­ vated by his inclusive love and just anger so that we all could live free with basic rigl:Jts. In addition to many other accomplish­ ments, buddy supported the founding of the Drop Inn Center Shelterhouse for the homeless and formed ReSTOC, a non­ profit, racially-integrated, low-income housing cooperative. buddy's strong, life-giving spirit was felt and impacted many people and places, but his soul lived specially deep in the people and soul of Over-the-Rhine. He walked side-by-side with us, his neighbors, ......... {\ft !ill .. buddy saved the 1300 Vine Street building from demolition in 1987 with a vision of having people who are homeless live there. buddy's life ended on November 151h, 1997 during the continued renovation . of this building. For these reasons and more, ReSTOC has named this building "buddy's place" in appreciation for the life, memories and spirit of buddy gray. Adapted from "Remembering buddy gray" by Bonnie Neumeier, ·s treetvibes, February 1997... -----· RtSTOC, I 11c. . • • titOH. PQOFlf • He L~ co·oP HOU5 ING- ~· The Race Street Tenant Organization Cooperative (ReSTOC) cordially invites you to attend the Grand Opening of buddy's place, Permanent Housing for the Homeless at 1300 Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine on Saturday J une. 12th Jpm-5pm. The formal program will begin at 2pm. r>arkinf will he available at 1225 Vine Street. ease c '0 ' ifyou have any questior ,. 'ee you there .I �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine The Broken City... Page s ·· by J immy Heath 'MATRIX' from page 3 ... Donald contemplates demolition of p ublic housing in Cincinnati's West End neighborhood. Advocates at National Homeless Summit raise the bar for government by Anitra Freeman Reprinted from Real Change Vol 6, Number 10, May 1999 [Seattle, Washington's street newspap er] I'll never be able to tell you everything about the National Summit on Homelessness in Washington, D.C. The National Coalition for the Homeless gathered up over 600 homeless advocates and activists, including a couple hundred homeless and formerly homeless people, and workshopped , paneled, and inun­ dated us for three days on housing, health, human rights, livable income, education, veterans issues, and other aspects of homelessness and ending of it. Back in my getting-paid-for-computer-work days, l attended a few business conferences ­ long, leisurely breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, then everybody goes out partying. I have now attended four non-profit conferences - where you get run from pillar to post on half a donut and a plate of cold chicken. I would like to know who came up with the formula, "The less we pay you, the harder you have to work?" Maybe that explains the reception given Andrew Cuomo. Everybody was already pretty ragged and brain-soaked when we gathered together to hear the head of HUD, the United States Secr~tary for Housing, tell us that poverty is fundamentally about injustice, and that homelessness can only be solved by getting down into the trenches. Well, that's good, we go for that, we're in the trenches, we stood up and cheered him. Then he said that the government - he and other people getting paid $100,000 a year and up­ can't do any more to solve homelessness unless we who are in the trenches "work harder". That got less applause. When he opened for questions, he got grilled over the barriers that HUD's complex paperwork creates for grassroots housing programs and homeless housing applicants. In response to criticism of the Clinton Administra­ tion, he took his feet that had been held to the fire and stuck them in his mouth to cool off ­ he told 600 homeless advocates and activists that "welfare reform has had no negative impact on homeless people." I swear he was running when he hit the back exit. After the ritual sacrifice of the HUD Secretary, we returned to the less exciting business of workshops and networking. Subscribe to Streetvibes Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be purchased for $12 per year. Please send a check to the below address and the paper will be mailed to you every month. Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 4521 O Please make checks pay­ able to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless­ Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421-7803. (at the expense of anyone voluntarily competing for that bed in the nightly lottery). Especially favored were those who might provide informa­ tion on any extra-legal activities in the area. I assume this sort of intelligence-gathering fell under the auspices of the 'community policing' programs that began popping up like malignant little toadstools in San Francisco's neighbor­ hoods around the same time as the 'quality of life' These practices are now becoming institu­ tions under Mayor Willie Brown's leadership­ the same candidate Willie Brown who cam­ paigned with rhetoric like: "This charade called MATRIX will end when I become Mayor." The big change has been no pretense of any 'out­ reach' and spiraling numbers of tickets for 'quality of life' infractions, with monthly aver­ ages exceeding those of the Jordan era's most aggressive sweeps. Mayor Brown has widened the scope of places being swept to include unused industrial properties, freeway over­ passes, etc. , i.e; anyplace someone may be living that is in public sight, period. The way things are playing out here, there is likely to be an impending promotion of a 'secure campus' with 'sprung shelters' (large temporary tent-like structures) to serve as emergency shelter for homeless people, similar to the current proposal in Arizona. Then, if a police officer finds you in the 'wrong' part of town for no approved reason, you will be referred to this facility. Refusal will result in arrest. (Please bear in mind that if San Francisco's shelter capacity were DOUBLED from the current number of available beds, there would be shelter for about a fifth of the 14,818 people San Francisco attested to in its 1997 application for McKinney dollars to assist homeless people.) IT'S OPEN SEASON ON THE WALKING WOUNDED Matt Parkhouse, RN Four years ago, in Colorado Springs, within eight months, our police department shot and killed two mentally ill men. One was home­ less, one was not. The first, Richard Deerfield, was cornered in the bathroom of the downtown Catholic cathedral after causing a disruption. He drew a knife and was shot and killed. It was ruled justifiable and, several months later, the three officers involved were given Medals of Valor for executing this homeless mentally ill man. The status quo loving Catholic Dioceses ruled that resancitification of the Cathedral (traditional for a church to do if a murder occurs in the premises} was not necessary. Then later in the year, another cop, called to a disturbance, shot and killed a mentally ill man as he waved a wooden surveying stake about. This too, was ruled justifiable. These killings, and the lack of police accountability are the subject of "Fingers on the Trigger" a video that was shown on PBS a few months ago. �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Gr9pevine WORD ON THE Song of the STREET Cold , . ·.1. . Arts &<Poetry by Mike Henson November is followed by December is followed by the aching new year with its bone-split weather. It rasps at the knuckles; it crackles in the lungs. The heart is a sieve; when the wind cuts right, the cold can cut through a man as if he were a shadow. MY NEXT STEP by Victor M. Velez My shoes wait. .. For my next step. Faithfully, they wait. They yearn to rest in a closet, under a bedto see a foot doctor, to walk in hopeful directions. Holding the weight of my fife, The news here is always the same. A million tress die for the daily papers. The frozen homeless are stacked for cinderblocks. Ten million women have mailed their ova­ ries to Congress and are awaiting further instructions. For fear of invasion, every farm in the country has been dis­ guised as a strip mall or a subdivision. The children of the South Bronx have volunteered to fast one week each month to help us balance the budget. Business is great. Life is wonderful. God is Republican. And the Republic stands ever so tall . like identical twins, they carry me, gripping my feet, resting its wounds from the rugged streets. My soul is losing its marrow. We continue forward, leaving behind loose laces, Page 6 DO FOR SELF by Malik Ami/car They say a Fool and his Money will Soon Leave Him. Is that The Reason Why we don't Have our Freedom? We spend $100,000,000,000 Annually, But we Don't produce Toilet paper. Ignorance and No unity is The whodunit In the caper. With these Dead end Jobs and These Primitive Wages. Got me And Mine Living in Infancy stages Eating to live Is the answer To good Health. The cure To my Illness is Doing for Self. Disgusted with it all , I walk the streets in the mankilling cold. My breath is one small white twist of vapor in the wind. The snow is thick on the -park benches, thick on the black branches of the trees. the muffling snows kill all sound but the call of the crows. And if I stand in the center of the park. And if I close my eyes, you are there. I feel you at my shoulder. I sense the rise and fall of your chest. A tuft of your hair blows across my face. But I can only hear the cold call of the crows. laces that have given up the fight. Rapid Exit assists families and individuals for m~re Information contact TheGreater Cincinnau CoaHUon For The Homeless at 421-7803 and ask for Gina Miller Comedy Corner by Ron Carter The Account A man walked into a bar and took a seat. The bartender asked, "Can I help ypu? " The man said "Yes, bartender, I'll have two cold beers on the account. " "Okay sir, " said the bar tender, "Coming up!" The bartender then said, "Excuse me sir, what did you mean when you said you wanted two beers on the account?" The man said, " Oh, on the account that I don't have any money to pay you! Have a good day." �--- 1 l STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine By Maro Robbins Express-News Staff Writer In a trial unfolding this week in federal court, several police officers have testified they were ordered to keep downtown streets tourist­ friendly by h~rassing human "eyesores" that included youths and the homeless. Past and present members of the Down­ town Foot and Bicycle Patrol said they were told to demand identification from patrons in certain bars, to snatch suspected gang clothing from teen-agers and to push homeless people out of the area - with or without probable cause that suggested laws had been broken. Testifying Thursday, San Antonio Police Chief Al Philippus said none of the alleged activities violated residents' rights to walk the streets downtown, if they in fact occurred. He emphasized that officers never documented specific abuses and never complained through official channels. He also noted that probable cause is not needed for officers to request identification. Altogether, nine officers have testified in a trial brought against the city by Officer Onofre Serna, who in 1996 was transferred from the highly visible bicycle patrol to squad-car duty. Serna claims the transfer was punishment for complaining about the unit's harsh methods, Subscribe to Streetvibes Subscri ptions to Streetvibes can be purchased for $12 per year. Please send a check to the below address and the paper will be mailed to you each issue. Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 Please make checks payable to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless-Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421-7803. - - - --- which allegedly started in 1994 and lasted about two years. He also claims the transfer violated his civil rights and laws protecting whistleblowers. lawyers for the city said Serna suffered no retaliation. They suggest the allega­ tions stem from personality conflicts and "petty employment issues." The trial has offered a rare view inside the squad room where officers navigated the politics of policing one of the city's most valued assets • - the River Walk. Bandannas, baseball caps and other pieces of suspected gang regalia decorated the walls of the patrol's office, several officers said. A box in a back room held more confiscated items, some, according to testi­ mony, snatched without probable cause. "It's basically theft," Detective Miguel Mares Jr., a former member of the patrol, said on the witness stand, describing why he - and other officers - balked at instructions to take sus­ pected gang paraphernalia. Most officers acknowledged the downtown streets had gang problems. But, they said, their orders also targeted teen-agers who broke no laws but wore gangster-style clothing simply to blend in with peers. Moreover, they said, many youths lingered downtown to avoid trouble in their own rough neighborhoods. "Even if they were just standing around, we were instructed to do something about this problem," Mares said. Mares also said the patrol had specific instructions to demand identification from customers in certain bars, such as the Esquire Tavern at 115 E. Commerce St. Other officers said they were advised to let bouncers and hired security handle upscale establishments like the nearby Hard Rock Cafe. Without naming any businesses, Philippus argued the department simply focused on unruly areas and certain crimes, like driving while intoxicated. "We target problems, specific violations of law, not particular (groups of) people," he said. Officers claimed the heavy-handed orders came from the patrol supervisor, then-Lt. Harry Griffin. Griffin, now a captain at the Prue Road substation, also was transferred from the patrol about the same tim~ as Serna. He has been named as a potential witness, but he couldn't be reached for comment. Officer Thomas Froelick said Griffin considered the teen-agers as "eyesores," and wanted them off the downtown streets. "The homeless in San Antonio - he didn't like them, either," Froelick testified. Mares said Griffin once ordered him to remove a mentally disabled homeless woman from the bench where she had sat quietly for years without causing many complaints. He was told to drop her off under a bridge by a home­ less shelter. On the witness stand, Philippus said he wanted to hear Griffin's testimony before he assessed the incident, but balked at labeling the woman's removal an arrest. In July 1996, Philippus assembled a panel of police supervisors to examine the grumbling coming from the downtown patrol squad. After dozens of interviews, the panel reported that a clique of officers was defying supervisors an<:l intimidating peers. It described Serna as "very disruptive," while acknowledging that Griffin had "serious managerial and supervisory shortcom­ ings." The report also stated the officers believed the tactics Griffin demanded "were heavy­ handed, illegal or racially and politically moti­ vated." Philippus said those allegations were too vague to warrant an inquiry into whether the patrol was harassing downtown visitors. In­ stead, Philippus said he followed the panel's recommendations. He transferred Griffin, Serna and two sergeants. Transfers of three other patrol officers already temporarily assigned to other divisions became permanent. Since then, both Philippus and Froelick testified, the unit's troubles have dissipated. Page 1 HOMELESS WOMAN DIES AFTER BEING SHOT BY OFFICER By Rich Connell, Times Staff Writer A homeless woman who allegedly threat­ ened a Los Angeles police officer with a screw­ driver died Friday afternoon after the officer shot her in the shoulder, detectives said. The woman, about 50 years old, was not immediately identified. She was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center about half an hour after the shooting at La Brea Avenue and 4th Street in the Hancock Park area. Lt. Anthony Alba, an LAPD spokesman, said the incident began about 4:15 p.m. , when two bicycle patrol officers-one male, the other female-tried to stop the woman on the side­ walk. Alba said the officers, neither of whom has been identified, wanted to question the woman to see if the shopping cart she was pushing had been stolen. According to Alba, the woman immediately began acting aggressively, threat­ ening to kill the officers. Alba said she kept walking as an argument ensued, and during the dispute a motorist stopped and attempted to convince the woman to comply with the officers' instructions to come to a halt. The woman continued to walk, and when the officers again attempted to stop her, she began slashing at them with a screwdriver. The male officer, ducking out of the way, lost his balance. Feeling threatened, he fired one shot that struck the woman in the shoulder, Alba said. Why the officers did not attempt to subdue the woman with batons or pepper spray-both of which they carried-was not immediately clear. Alba said the homeless woman was black, the male officer is Asian and the female officer is of Asian and Latino ancestry. Officers cordoned off several blocks shortly after the shooting. Their investigation, which snarled Friday evening rush hour traffic in the area, continued well into the night. Several witnesses-one of them an off­ duty woman officer who had a "birds-eye view" of the incident, were taken to the LAPD's Wilshire Division station tor questioning, Alba said. He said none of the witnesses contra­ dicted the account given by the officer who fired the shot. One man, however, told a KNX radio reporter that the officer did not fire until the woman turned away, no longer posing a threat. The man was not identified and police said they had not been able to find him. ,\..........._____ ___::_ l j ~ ; �. STREETVIBES ~ ..• • • . ) ' The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine DO HALFWAY STREETVIBES HOUSES FOR Prisoner's News PAROLEES AFFECT THE i HOMELESS \ ! \ ·-POPULATION? \ i •·. •t l r i ' ~ i i 1 '• • \ I \ ' -­ . i 4 . • • • • . '- i '··' i '··' A letter from jail to a friend: • • :., S, How are you doing, bro'? No, things aren't going well here - they're refusing to give me my legal files. They're tearing my cell up 2 times a day because it's the same T.C.I. guards running this place so they're getting their harassment hand off. And I have no envelopes, you can send one set or two. I'm glad to hear your staying active but I guess we're going to need to start focusing on this place. I can't believe the things I'm seeing here. Well, give my love to S.W.·and L. and respect to everyone. Stay strong, John Perotti w.. STREETVIBES PRISONERS NEWS IS THE WRITINGS OF PERSONS INCARCERATED IN OUR NATIONS JAILS AND PRISONS. SEND YOUR COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO: >STREETVIBES@JUNO.COM or mail to: >STREETVIBES 1506 ELM STREET CINCINNATI, OHIO 45210 or fax to: >(513) 421-7813 SOLIDARITY IS AN EMBRACED VALUE One of the confines of passive resistance, we must realize that no effective movement in prisons can be built without deep ties to a strong movement on t.he outside. Prisoners are militarily isolated: they are captives in an armed camp, and even the most gallant military resistance can succeed only if it draws enough public support to stay the hand of the states death squad. In Struggle, James W. Pryor There is an ever growing concern from state prisoners and society alike as to the use of our state halfway houses. The halfway houses that are state funded through tax dollars are being used to house parolees that have family and friends who are willing to house them and help them adjust back into society. Halfway houses are state funded for the use to house parolees that have no family to go to. This helps the parolee find work and save enough money until he or she is able to provide self-maintenance for themselves. They are also used for work and education furlough. Meaning that a prisoner who has less than one year from being placed on parole may go to a halfway house to work and save money for his or her own maintenance when placed on parole. Many times the parole board gives a prisoner halfway house proffered at there hearing when granted a parole. Even though this prisoner has what is called an A and B plan to family that are willing to give them residence and help to find employment. While at the same time the parole board will give someone halfway house proffered who is without family and friends. The waiting list to enter a halfway house can take up to a year or longer in some cases. The chances are in many cases that the person who has family and friends will be released to the halfway house first being that they know that their stay won't be as long as someone who has no family or friends. This gives the halfway house a greater turn over and more tax dollars to operate. Ohio prisons are full of HOMELESS people who have no family or friends when once gr(:inted a parole can't be released back into society because the halfway houses are full of parolees with families that they could have been paroled to. This is a harsh reality for the home­ less of our state who have paid their debt to society for a crime they may have committed only to be further punished by our system and the Department of Rehabilitation and Correc­ tions by preventing them from returning to society sometimes up to two years after they are granted a parole. The State of Ohio does not want the responsibility of housing homeless people on parole because it means that their stay would be much longer than that of a parolee who has family and friends. This is just another way for the state to say we can keep more homeless people off the streets by keeping them in prison longer. What a sick society we live in that looks at the human race in this fashion. Many of the homeless people who are in our Ohio prisons are Vietnam veterans who fought for this country _and served the people within its society. Many of them are victims of the war who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome who are in some cases unable to hold down jobs or have a family but yet they are treated like an eye-sore within our society. If the State of Ohio were concerned with the homeless and helping then to re-adjust to society it would seem that they would place them first in these halfway houses but this is far from the truth. They are ever rejected as part of Page a society. Changes should be made in the policies by the DR. as to halfway houses full of people who have family and make room for the homeless people, help them find work, help them find places in which to live - this is how you help society and its people. My case in point. I went before the parole board and presented an A and B plan for parole . Both were rejected and I was halfway house proffered. For what purpose? To help me readjust to society, in which they claim. No. I was halfway house proffered to fill up the first bed to keep it out of the hands of a homeless person or someone who could spend more time there. I have a sister in Columbus who is willing to let me live with her and help me with the transportation and finances so that I can get on my feet. But at the halfway house I can work for awhile and pay them 15 or 20 % of my check each week to stay there. When many of the homeless people aren't able to find jobs and can't pay them the 15 or 20% to stay at the halfway house. This is the reality of the subject. Another problem within our halfway houses is that the parole board will make a prisoner who has an arson case or sex charge case halfway house proffered. At the same time knowing full well that they set the guidelines for the halfway houses, they won't accept them. So why does the parole board give them halfway house proffered. It's simple, so that they can use this for their parole quota saying that they granted this person a parole knowing fullwell that they will then call this person back before the board and give them another year of con­ finement. Sometimes they will do this for several years just to use these people as parole quotas. The halfway house problem is one that needs to be looked into by tax paying citizens and the homeless people of our state. The Ohio Adult Parole Authority at 1050 Freeway Drive, North Columbus, Ohio 43229 should be ad­ dressed as to this issue and concern from the homeless people and those who support the homeless in their struggle. Let them know that you are aware of their filling the halfway house full of parolees who have family and friends when they should be using halfway houses to aid people who are without family ani:l friends and who need help finding jobs and shelters. The Adult Parole Authority and the Depart­ ment of Rehabilitation are adding to the problem within our society when they have the means to help so many. They refuse to do so because of the way they look upon the people of our society. Richard Frye #205-231 PO Box 511 Columbus, Ohio 43216 Hunger Strike John Perotti is on a hunger strike. He has been on it for two weeks now, due to the condi­ tions at the Supermax Prison where he is at. His mother visited him recently and is worried about his condition. Anyone wanting to write to John to give him support can do so: John Perotti, 167-712 0. S. P. 878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road Youngstown, Ohio 44505 (Reported by Jackie Bowers) �· • STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine • • • • • • A MAN FOR THE HOMELESS­ MV WONDERFUL FATHER Joe Martin, third from right... As far back as I can remember, my father has been taking care of the homeless in Cincin­ nati. When I was a child growing up, I remem­ ber that my best friends were the homeless people that my father took in to stay with our family. Though he was a divorced single father with seven children to raise on his very own, he always found room in our big house to provide a place to stay for those who had no place of their own. He was a self- employed contractor who provided not only room and board but jobs for the homeless. I learned countless lessons about li(e from each homeless person that stayed at my Dad's house. I learned that life is not all gold with shine but that things can go wrong in a hurry. I learned that drugs and alcohol do have a negative effect on the out­ come of our lives. Homeless people taught me that everyone has a story to tell and a lesson to learn from this life as we go through it. The homeless people are people like you and me who have had a few bad breaks whether it may be physical, financial, or mental in nature. There are countless reasons why a person ends up without a home. My father is wonderful because he treated the homeless as a part of our family. His house was always open to them. Even today, Joseph E. Martin, at the age of seventy, is still helping the homeless in his house, though all of his seven children are raised up and have their own families. Every­ where I go in Mt. Auburn and Clifton, I meet people on the street who have once stayed at my Dad's house. Many have learned from my father or got the break they needed to put their lives back together. I see a few who even go around and help with Streetvibes to collect donations for the homeless in Cincinnati. The amazing thing about my father is that he never collected any rent or payment from any of the homeless people who have stayed at his house in Mt. Auburn. His reward was that he could be there for them in their time of need until they went through the crises in their lives. Just recently, my father came to church with a stack of Streetvibes and gave me one to read after the service. After reading through the editorials and comments of the paper, I could not help but to think about my father who spent his life helping out the homeless so I decided to write this about him. He is now a vendor for the Streetvibes. The best thing about Streetvibes is that it truly gives the homeless a voice and provides valuable information about what is going on with them. I have a referred homeless people who come to my church to the Drop Inn Center and many of the other shelters listed on the back of the paper. I am currently working as a nurse in Cincinnati and I am a bible teacher at the University Bible Fellowship which is an international Christian campus ministry. Over the years like my father I have shared God's love with many of the homeless I have met in Cincinnati. I owe much to my wonderful father who helped me to understand them as I grew up. God truly loves the homeless- and so does my father, Joseph E. Martin. May God continue to bless his work with Streetvibes and be a source of comfort for those who are still going through the hard times. God Bless You!!!!! HOUSING CRISIS THREATENS HONOLULU'S POOR By Gordon Y. K. Pang Star-Bulletin Shao Oun Lin, her fingers crippled with arthritis, can earn only about $200 a month as a dishwasher, and receives some $400 in various government benefits. Lin, 66, pays $140 rent for her one-bedroom apartment, with the rest subsidized through federal housing assistance. Like her neighbors in Chinatown's Maunakea Tower Apartments, Lin is now worried if she'll be able to stay in her apartment after August, when a 20-year Section 8 agreement between her landlord and federal housing officials expires. 1 Without a Section 8 agreement, the landlord could raise rents to market rates or even convert the building to a fee-simple condominium project. Under Section 8 rules, renters pay no more than 30 percent of their income for rent. "I may have to go back to China," Lin said. The Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance says the 380-unit Maunakea Tower, on Maunakea Street across from the Chinatown Cultural Plaza Shopping Center, represents the largest number of Section 8 units in a single complex which could be converted to market housing in the coming year. The agency fears some 2,000 of 3,27 4 Section 8 units statewide > • ' Page .9 - •• ·•..J will go the same way. Kathleen Hasegawa, executive director of the Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, said the Section 8 program was attractive to developers in the 1970s because of incentives such as low-cost loans and rent subsidies. But 20 years later, even with Hawaii's poor real estate market, it doesn't make sense to keep the units in Section 8, said Maunakea Tower resident James Del Rio, a self-employed Realtor."lt costs $120,000 to build these units," he said. "Apartments are much more efficient to convert than to build new." HAPI Management Inc. has not said what will happen come August. No one from the California-based firm could be reached immedi­ ately for comment. The housing alliance, along with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, is attempting to band the residents of various Section 8 buildings together to lobby the Legislature to create incentives that would convince the landowners to keep their units in Section 8. Federal help is also being sought by the national office. Hasegawa said that on average, rents for apartments that convert out of Section 8 go up 57 percent. "It's a train wreck in slow motion," said Craig Castellanet, a Legal Aid official. For many of those tenants whose apartments will convert, "this will relegate them to slum housing." A bill introduced in the state Senate would provide some protection, Castellanet said. The mea­ sure would require landowners to give tenants a year's notice if they decide not to renew Section 8 status. The bill also would require a landowner choosing to sell a previously Section 8 complex to give first right of purchase to a government, nonprofit or tenants' interest group. Castellanet said the state also loses when Section 8 agreements are discontinued because it would need to pick up the burden caused by the lost subsidies. Chun Ching Tsang, 74, said she won't have anywhere to go if her rent goes up. With Social Security, food stamps and other benefits, she estimates her total monthly income is about $500. She pays $.120 a month for her one­ bedroom unit at Maunakea Tower. With food , medical and utility bills, Tsang said, there's no extra money for a rent increase. Tsang , who came from China in 1975, said she has adult children. But she is reluctant to ask them for financial help when they now have their own families to raise. "Everyone has to help themselves," she said. Cities Target Homeless Newspaper Vendors Well, why is it that people feel so threat­ ened by Street Vendors for these papers? They don't "coax" money from people as panhandlers do (not if they are trained right) - and they are doing something that has some self esteem to it - they are NOT begging. What is wrong with organizations in some of these cities (other organizations that serve the homeless) that they are so afraid of these activities~ Could it be they're into keeping the homeless on the streets so they won't be out of jobs themselves? Isn't that what it is all about? If you work in a home­ less program shouldn't you be wanting, trying to put yourself out of business? People need to spend their time on their own programs, and quit wasting so much energy on worrying about what someone else is doing. Good grief. Virginia Sellner •- .• -~ • • .,, • ·­ •• • •• • • •• .. t- • -... · • �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Welfare News ''BRINGING AMERICA HOME AGAIN'' SUMMIT ing for livable wages and positive welfare policies in their communities spoke on organiz­ ing strategies and successes they have had in their commu11ities. Ilana Berger and Garth Ferguson of POWER (People Organized to Win Employ­ ment Rights) in San Francisco spoke about how they are organizing workfare recipients in California. The workfare recipients are GA recipients. In California, single individuals without children still have a safety net. They can receive $344 monthly in cash assistance plus food stamps but must do a workfare component. Not all states have been as inhu­ mane as Ohio in cutting off single adults without children. John Dodds of the Philadelphia Unemploy­ ment Project spoke about a Jobs Bill they have gotten introduced in the Pennsylvania state legislature. This bill would provide jobs for people leaving welfare. One of the keynote speakers was Rev. James Lowry of the Southern Christian Leader­ ship Conterence who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Civil Rights Marches of the 60's. His main emphasis was that we must be agitators, willing to speak out and go against the status quo. We must be willing to take risks and put ourselves on the line if we are truly Page 10 serious about ending poverty & homelessness in America. He stated, "Our politicians and corporations see the poorest as expendable. This city (Washington, D.C.) continues to ignore the growing disparity between those who have wealth and those who are poor. Our politicians are in a convenient state of denial." He contin­ ued on, "There is no debate (among these political circles) about the injustice of the disparity of what executives make and what the lowest paid workers make. This is economic violence against the poor." Donald Whitehead of the Greater Cincin­ nati Coalition for the Homeless led workshops on "Civil Rights of the Homeless", "Advocacy Strategies for the Homeless" and "Effective Approaches to Educating the Police." He also spoke as part of a panel of individuals who have been formerly homeless. Mr. Whitehead is on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the National Coalition for the Homeless and was on the Summit Planning Committee for this event. This Summit was a terrific learning oppor­ tunity and a great chance to meet people from across the U.S. working on welfare & housing issues in their communities. by Lynn Williams "I was feeling tired before I started speak­ ing. Now I'm energized because what I'm saying makes me so angry!" So started off Terry Scofield , of the Welfare Warriors in New York City. She spoke about some of the worse abuses of recipients in New York City, how many are denied even getting an application to apply for welfare, food stamps or Medicaid. She quoted some of New York City's public officials as saying their dictate to recipients is "Get up, show up and take orders" and "We must create a personal crisis in the lives of recipients." One policy that New York City has is requiring a Children's Protective Service intervention for each household that is sanctioned. This is like adding insult to injury. Punish recipients by cutting their cash and food and then threaten to take their kids. Terry went on to say how New York City is fanatical about doing investigations of recipients to try to find fraud. They fingerprint all recipients and try to uncover "domestic violence lies." Every woman in America should be appalled at this, as domestic violence is one of the main causes of women's deaths in this country. She spoke about how recipients are organizing to fight back: advocating for better support services including child care, transporta­ tion and higher paying jobs. It is those who are directly affected who are attending hearings, testifying and getting others to join in the struggle. She spoke about victories they have had in getting post-secondary education hours, as well as study hours, to count as the work requirement, and their push for non-traditional job training programs (such as electricians, plumbers, welders, etc... ) for women in order to get rid of the "pink collar ghetto". "We're not content to just be waitresses and child-care workers if all it means is minimum wage or less. We want to move into the job fields with higher wages that have traditionally belonged to men," she stated. She received a loud round of applause. Terry was one of the presenters at the Livable Income Workshop at the National Coalition for the Homeless' National Summit on Homelessness in Washington, D.C. May 1-4. The theme was "Bringing America Home Again." The Livable Income Workshop was one of the best workshops I attended at the Conference. Speakers from mostly grassroots groups work­ Several dozen local rights activists picket m tront ot the (Cincinnati) Hamilton County Human Service office in protest of Ohio's harsh welfare Sanction policy. photo by Jimmy Heath "We're making progress. The House of Representatives has restored food stamps to adults under sanction and restored child care and other support services. Our fight to restore cash assistance to children in a sanctioned household is winnable", stated Katy Heins of the Cincinnati Welfare Rights Coalition on May 19th at a rally at the Hamilton County Department of Human Services. Approximately 40 people attended the rally to support ending Ohio's harsh sanction policy. Ohio is one of only 14 states that completely eliminates the cash assistance to a family under sanction. This, in effect, punishes children along with the adult. The Cincinnati Welfare Rights Coalition, along with other groups, opposes this punishment of Ohio's poorest children. The federal law does not require the sanctions to be this punitive and most states are showing more humaneness. If you are interested in getting involved, call the Cincinnati Welfare Rights Coalition at 513-381-4242. Phone: 921 -1231 STATE AVENUE SALVAGE HISTORICAL BLDG. MATERIALS EARL (CHARLIE) MATIINGLY 1958 State Ave. Cinti., OH 45204 Please Support Our Advertisers �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine 'ELECTRONICS FUNDS TRANSFER' Program Designed to Protect Government Funds Recipients For some 1O million persons who receive government benefits checks and do not have checking accounts, the Treasury Departments new ·EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) program may be an option. Social Security, SSI, Veter­ ans Administration, Civil Service, Railroad Retirement Board, and other government source benefits are eligible for EFT. A campaign to implement the Treasury's EFT Public Education Campaign is underway in collaboration with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), the National Coalition for the Homeless and Cincinnati's Coalition of Neighborhoods. "The real purpose of this educational program is to make government check receivers aware that they have options," said Morris Williams, Coalition of Neighborhoods Associate Director and NCRC local partner. "Federal check recipients can have their check deposited directly into a checking or savings account at a bank, or share account at a credit union. A second option is to notify your check source to continue sending a paper check, and a third Page 11 AWOL Ministries, its merger with Helping Hands Outreach Mission Ministries, my ordination and installation as Pastor of H. H. 0. M. M., and the start of 4PM Sunday Worship. We are off to a grand start too, but the enemy has planted a "seed of doubt" because it takes money to operate an outreach ministry. Money for rent, utilities, transportation, and other operational costs. It also takes the support of people. Chris­ tian people who are willing to sacrifice for the Kingdom of God. Disciples are needed. Men and women who know that God has called them to spread the good news. May 1st was to be the start of Helping Hands Outreach Mission Ministries Computer Training Program. The absence of money has only delayed the program, because God is sending His disciples and preparing them for the great harvest of souls which shall come through this and other HHOMM Programs. God has given us the power to go forward with Friday Night Power Station; this is an opportunity to come as you are, hear testimony after testimony of God's goodness, to hear God's word , to be delivered of tliose burdens you carry and to just have fellowship with God's people. Come out at 7:30 PM and break bread with us. It is always a glorious time in the Lord. option is to wait for the Electronic Transfer Account (ETA), which is supposed to be a lower cost account than is currently being offered by banking institutions," said Williams. "The important thing is that federal benefit recipients understand that they have choices, and that they can move back and forth from one option to another at.any time." "Federal check recipients should not allow themselves to be pressured into anything that they do not feel comfortable with. Despite what they may have been told or led to believe, they can continue to receive their federal benefit check in the mail if they choose. Anyone or any institution, including any local payee agency, that even implies that you must convert to direct deposit, is simply distorting the Treasury Department's very clearly stated message of choice," said Williams. Organizations can be provided with leaflets, pamphlets, posters and a guide book. For further information call (513) 531-2676. WORDS FROM THE EVANGELIST by Rodney Sutton I apologize for the absence and the absence of the Word which God speaks through me, however, I do not apologize for the time I have had alone with God. Sometimes you have to get away. Get away and do a little prayer and fasting. Because some things will only be removed by prayer and fasting. Many of you will remember the start of H1TTHE BuLL's OUSING IN Scramble Eve WITH by Ron Carter A HURRY! Try to unscran:ible these re­ lated words: (Clue: electronic items) if you 're in the market for a new apartment, call Cincinnati's. affordable alternative ... CMHA ! .CMHA communities are budget-friendly, are located in neighbor­ hoods across Hamilton County, and are near the places important to you ... jobs, churches, hospitals and stores! With CMHA's Housing In A Hurry Program, you can be made eligible to be housed in 5 days or less. Don't miss this opportunity! Hours: Mon.-Sat., 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.rn. UTREOCMP EINIVELTSO RETSOE TSETACES EVODI ROEuRECR NIETPRR OXREZ AXF ... .,, .... Location: 1635 Western Avenue Call CMHA at 421-8 190. Answers on page 15. Mr. Carft1I •'.- Inc. (513) 721-6770 ; {513) 874-4141 All About Tuxedos & Gowns 6600 B Dixie Highwa~ 1D1p1omat VIiiage) Fairfield Ohio ~5014 All About 208 E Street Cincinnati. Oh.o 45202 A~OTHER CLA SS PR00{."CTIO~ Disc-Jockey Service ~ CLIFFORD JONES (5 13) 761-3464 Tuxedos~ 7lt; (513) 230-6353 Pager 513-670-6782 3764 Montgomerv Road Norwood. Ohio Cellular 513·382· TUXS http://www/network1000.com/Alltux/ "The Outfitters of the Stars· Check out STREETVIBES Classifieds on Page 15 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Editorials & . Letters Dear Mr. Kunzel, We have recently been made aware that the Drop Inn Shelterhouse at 217 W. 12th Street (Over-the-Rhine) has been targeted for reloca­ tion because a group of arts and business supporters (lead by Erich Kunzel) want to use this area for the proposed $99.2 million arts Music Hall. We are appalled complex linked that poor people are once again being dis­ placed, because of "economic growth." The Scripture (Bible) says that the poor will always ,.. be among us - why can't you work from this r:... ....··• -·- ..... t..... \ ; '-... ­ premise and leave the Drop Inn Center "among ' .' ........ us?" Can't you build your complex around the / Center? If it needs to be spruced up to conform with what you are proposing, can't you find the ' extra dollars to do this? If this world is ever going to work, those who "have" must learn to ' live with (and not just simply tolerate) those who "have not." We are of the opinion that the shelter will find the sane prejudice frying to get into another ........ ...__ ........ neighborhood as it is experiencing now with .... ....... trying to maintain its existence in a neighbor­ hood marked for economic change. We have a soup kitchen that provides hot, Many people continue to write letters nutritious meals for the poor and homeless of support for the Drop Inn Center, every Saturday from noon until 2:00pm. We Cincinnati's largest shelter for the city's talk to individuals who were once well-to-do, homeless. As reported in recent issues of individuals who have always been poor, both Streetvibes, there is a plan underway to men and women, and most unfortunately, remove the Drop Inn Center and nearby children. Our church has a burden, or desire to transitional housing and support services to do right by the poor. They are on our heart. We cannot continue to allow the poor and homeless accommodate a plan for an expansion of to be shuffled from one place to the next Music Hall. depending upon economic growth - there ought Many local community activists are to be a way to include them in the expansion concerned, not only about displacement of process. the Drop Inn Center, but the impact that the We know you have the best minds working massive Music Hall expansion would ha ve this project - please consider the plight of the on the neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine poor and the Drop Inn Shelterhouse. We have and its less fortunate citizens. For more added them to our Special Prayer Request. If information on how to support the Drop Inn you can't find a place for them in your heart that Center, please call the Center at 721-0643. they may maintain their current location, all we Below are some of the letters of support can do is continue to write letters, but more specifically we will pray. Our God also has a received by the Drop Inn Center and for­ burden or desire that we do right by the poor. In warded to Streetvibes. the bible God speaks out strongly against the poor. _ 1 \ 1•• _ - to - . ~ I "'-- - Page 12 Dear School Board Representatives: As executive director of a long-term alcohol/drug treatment program for medically indigent women and their children, I am all to too familiar with the homeless situation in our city. Through my work I have become not only aware of some of the major causes of homelessness, i.e. mental illness, addiction, and poverty, but also of how privileged I am having been raised in a stable middle-to-upper class family, having had a good education, exposure to the world through traveling, access to excel­ lent health and dental care, and the opportunity to meet influential people who could help me. Prior to working in my current social service career, I wrongfully assumed everyone had access to these benefits. Realizing they do not, I now feel it is my responsibility to work toward and support social justice and change. The Drop Inn Center Shelterhouse treats everyone with dignity and respect no matter how far down the scale they have gone. For most, it is the only home and family they have. As we all know, money cannot buy home and family. It is about a lot more than bricks and mortor. It is about roots and relationships. I know I could not do the work of the dedicated staff at the Drop Inn Center, but I can intermittently support them with a small check and I do sleep much better knowing they are there. Having received my undergraduate degree in art history, I am a great fan of art, architec­ ture, and music. Our community could not help but benefit from a world class arts complex, but just not at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens. I know it would be a lot easier to displace the homeless in Over-the-Rhine than it would be residents of Indian Hill, but is it fair? There is no doubt in my mind that you have the brain power and the heart to design plan that would strengthen not weaken the diversity of our community. Please consider this and reconsider your relocation plans. a Sincerely, Annie F. Bennett, MSW, LISW Executive Director First Step Home Sincerely, There are actually more than two Rev. Michael F. Mack, Pastor, Jerrie/ sides to this issue: there are the residents Baptist Church of OTA, who are worried about being made to move 'out of the way' and out of their community that has been home for so many years: (the homeless, low-income Moral Obligations persons and other disadvantaged people We have a moral obligation to both the who feel that without the money or power arts and to the poor of our community. The are helpless and without a· voice) the arts proposed Arts and Education Center that community who feel that they do not want includes the relocation of the Drop Inn Center to be pitted against the poor or be respon­ does. not honor the rights and needs of the latter. sible for displacement for the sake of art: Arguments can be made for· the plan but I believe that in the end those of us with vastly and the power and money people who are greater resources and options need to err on the only interested in advancing their own side of compassion and change our plans. I fortunes. And somewhere in between all of believe that a task force comprised of both sides these individuals are folks like Kunzel, who could resolve the concerns of art patrons and many believe is just being used by the set an example for other cities and our children money and power brokers: the thousands of how Cincinnati can help all of its residents to of volunteers and supporters of the Drop solve problems and co-excist in peace. Inn Center who live outside of OTA: the Bruce A. Kircher religious community, arts patrons and Cincinnati City government. The issue is at once complex, but morally simple: a society has the responsibility to provide for its Jess fortunate persons, those who are unable to defend themselves, for whatever reasons, against these types of moral injustices. A true and fair Task Force around this issue would junk the Arts and Education Center plan simply on moral grounds alone.) I Dear Maestro Kunzel: I am writing to you to voice my objections to your plan to locate your proposed arts com­ plex at Twelfth and Elm Streets in Over-the­ Rhine, and thus to displace the Drop Inn Center. My husband and I have been supporters of the arts for as long as we have lived in Cincin­ nati, and have been subscribers to the Cincin­ nati Symphony Orchestra for many years. We support your plans to provide additional educa­ tional facilities for arts education here, and think this project would be a great asset to our community. However, we also recognize the need to provide for those in our city who are homeless, and in need of the services which have been provided by the Drop Inn Center for the past twenty plus years. I have worked in a peripheral position on some of the development of efforts of many, many people in realizing the facility that the center has become. This also is a great asset to our community and needs the concern of all of us in providing for that segment of our population that is so easily forgotten and so ofte.n pushed aside. I urge to consider other locations as you develop your plans. Surely there are alternative sites in the city that would be suitable for your project. Sincerely, Juanita Stork E-MAIL STREETVIBES> STREETVIBES@JUNO.COM . . I �,:._:-. .__,~- SJBEETVIBES . • ..,;_ ! ' . ,. . .. The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Etcetera ... WEARE NEVER ALONE!!! This is a true story that occurred in 1994 and is told by Lloyd Glen: .. Throughout our lives we are blessed with spiritual experiences, sacred are meant to be shared. Last summer my family had a spiritual experience that had a lasting and profound impact on us, one we feel must be shared. It's a message of love. It's a message of regaining perspective, and restoring proper balance and renewing priorities. In humility, I pray that I might, in relating this story, give you a gift my little son, Brian, gave our family one summer day last year. On July 22nd I was in route to Washington DC for a business trip. It was all so very ordinary, until we landed in Denver for a plane change. As I collected my belongings from the overhead bin, an announcement was made for Mr. Lloyd Glenn to see the United Customer Service Representative immediately. I thought nothing of it until I reached the door to leave the plane and I heard a gentleman asking every male if they were Mr. Glenn. At this point I knew something was wrong and my heart sunk. When I got off the plane a solemn-faced young man came toward me and said, "Mr. Glenn, there is an emergency at your home. I do not know what the emergency is, or who is involved, but I will take you to the phone so you can call the hospital My heart was now pounding, but the will to be calm took over. Woodenly, I followed this stranger to the distant telephone where I called the number he gave me for the Mission Hospital. My call was put through to the trauma center where I learned that my three- year-old son had been trapped underneath the automatic garage door for several minutes, and that when my wife had found him he was dead. CPR had been performed by a neighbor, who is a doctor, and the paramedics had continued the treatment as Brian was transported to the hospital. By the time of my call, Brian was revived and they believed he would live, but they did not know how much damage had been done to his brain, nor to his heart. They explained that the door had completely closed on his little sternum right over his heart. He had been severely crushed. After speaking with the medical staff, my wife sounded worried but not hysterical, and I took comfort in her calmness. The return flight seemed to last forever, but finally I arrived at the hospital six hours after the garage door had come down. When I walked into the intensive care unit, nothing could have prepared me to see my little son laying so still on a great big bed with tubes and monitors everywhere. He was on a respirator. I glanced at my wife who stood and tried to give me a reassuring smile. It all seemed like a te 1~!e dream. I was filled-in with the details arc g;\ en a guarded prognosis. Brian was going to 1 \"" and the preliminary tests indicated that his heart was OK, two miracles in , d of th.? selves. But only lime would tell 1f 'lis b1 ·n received any damaqe. Throughout the seemingly endless 11vurs, my wife was calm. She felt that Brian would eventu­ . . ally be all right. I hung on to her words and faith like a lifeline. All that night and the next day Brian remained unconscious. It seemed like forever since had left for my business trip the day before. Finally at two o'clock that afternoon, our son regained consciousness and sat up uttering the most beautiful words I have ever heard spoken. He said, "Daddy hold me" and he reached for me with his little arms. [TEAR BREAK...smile] By the next day he was pro­ nounced as having no neurological or physical deficits, and the story of his miraculous survival spread throughout the hospital. You cannot imagine our gratitude and joy. As we took Brian home we felt a unique reverence for the life and love of our Heavenly Father that comes to those who brush death so closely. In the days that followed there was a special spirit about our home. Our two older children were much closer to their little brother. My wife and I were much closer to each other, and all of us were very close as a whole family. Life took on a less stressful pace. Perspective seemed to be more focused, and balance much easier to gain and maintain. We felt deeply blessed. Our gratitude was truly profound. The story is not over (smile)! Almost a month later to the day of the accident, Brian awoke from his afternoon nap and said, "Sit down mommy. I have something to tell you." At this time in his life, Brian usually spoke in small phrases, so to say a large sentence surprised my wife. She sat down with him on his bed and he began his sacred and remarkable story. "Do you remember when I got stuck under the garage door? Well it was so heavy and it hurt really bad. I called to you, but you couldn't hear me. I started to Cry, but then it hurt too bad. And then the 'birdies' came." "The birdies?" my wife asked puzzled. "Yes," he replied. "The birdies made a whooshing sound and flew into the garage. They took care of me." ''They did?" "Yes" he said. "One of the birdies came and got you. She came to tell you I got stuck under the door." A sweet reverent feeling filled the room. The spirit was so strong and yet lighter than air. My wife realized that a three-year-old had no concept of death and spirits, so he was referring to the beings who came to him from beyond as "birdies" because they were up in the air like birds that fly. "What did the birdies look like?" she asked. Brian answered, ''They were so beautiful. They were dressed in white, all white. Some of them had green and white. But some .Page_:.13f ·"--.. . . of them had on just white." "Did they say anything?" ''Yes" he answered. "They told me the baby would be all right." ''The baby?" my wife asked confused. Brian answered. ''The baby laying on the garage floor." He went on, "You came out and opened the garage door and ran to the baby. You told the baby to stay and not leave." My wife nearly collapsed upon hearing this, for she had indeetj gone and knelt beside Brian's body and seeing his crushed chest and recognizable features, knowing he was already dead, she looked up around her and whispered, "Don't leave us Brian, please stay if you can." As she listened to Brian telling her the words she had spoken, she realized that the spirit had left his body and was looking down from above on this little lifeless form. "Then what happened?" she asked. "We went on a trip." He said, "far, far away." He grew agi­ tated trying to say the things he didn't seem to have the words for. My wife tried to calm and comfort him, and let him know it would be okay. He struggled with wanting to tell something that obviously was very important to him, but finding the words was difficult. "We flew so fast up in the air. They're so pretty Mommy," he added. "And there is lots and lots of birdies." My wife was stunned. Into her mind the sweet comforting spirit enveloped her more soundly, but with an urgency she had never before known. Brian went on to tell her that the "birdies'' had told him that he had to come back and tell everyone about the "birdies". He said they brought him back to the house and that a big fire truck, and an ambulance were there. A man was bringing the baby out on a white bed and he tried to tell the man that the baby would be okay, but the man couldn't hear him. He said the birdies told him he had to go with the ambulance, but they would be near him. He said, they were so pretty and so peaceful, and he didn't want to come back. Then the bright light came. He said that the light was so bright and so warm, and he loved the bright light so much. Someone was in the bright light and put their arms around him , and told him, "I love you but you have to go back. You have to play baseball, and tell every­ one about the birdies." Then the person in the bright light kissed him and waved bye-bye. Then 'ALONE' cont. on ~>'ack buy a brick forbudd"' page ..'. res toe f ... buddy's place is a community effort to h elp alleviate the tragedy of homelessness. We invite you to take part in this community effort and provide housing to our sisters and brothers who are homeless. Thank you for your on-goi ng support. RESTOC 114. W. 14th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 • 513-381-0954 . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . .. . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ... . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .- • •• ••u . . . .. . . . .. . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . - .•• • ••••••••••••.• • •••• ----·-i ( -'/e5 J we would like to buy _ · ................... . ···~ame· brick(sl to support the construction of buddy's place In the space ..··· · · ................... pho e ······ ·""'sc'fiool or organl1a:.on I lease ind· you w ould like painted OI' ... ···· amount enclosed ($50 per brick) .................. please m ake checks payable to RESTOC. �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Excellent News for Poor Travelers A lot like you reading this, I have had the desire to write about the things that mean a great deal me, but I have always come up with excuses which have endlessly stopped me from doing so. UNTIL NOW. As a Christian, God has 'signed in ink' a heartfelt message to me guiding me to finally speak about the news affecting my life. Because I am a disabled, homeless, poverty-stricken traveler, the Mon­ day, May 17th, 1999 Supreme Court ruling that decided states shall not limit welfare and Aid To Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) for new residents. (If this is excellent news that affects you directly, regardlessly of where you are reading this article, regardless of who is watching you, please take a moment to smile.) The Supreme Court's 7-to-2 vote is the first high court challenge that brings compassion and decency to the United State's nationwide let's-shift-the-country's-financial-crisis-blame-to­ fall-on-poor-people" punishing welfare reform. Congress, in 1996, endorsed the welfare limita­ tions on poor people, but now they will have to regroup to find a new way to punish poor people for being poor. Until then let's give a bright white (or, if you' re like me, a slightly yellow, but no less attractive, if its heartfelt) smile and be happy that the underdogs can sometimes avoid the overzealous congressional dogcatcher. (If I were a dog, I would love to mail my congress­ man a copy of the Supreme Court's ruling wrapped around a doggie biscuit with post-it note reading, "please, chew on this. love, the underdogs of America".) Perhaps you'd like to know EXACTLY what that Supreme Court ruling states: "citizens of the United states, whether rich or poor, have the right to choose to be citizens of the state wherein they reside". And perhaps you'd like to know what the syllabus (headnote) of the court ruling states. In regards to states limiting welfare for new residents, it specifically ad­ dresses the fact that a state's " ... legitimate interest in saving money does not justify this discriminatory scheme". Despite the shadowy gloom of poverty, being an American is a wonderful privilege that fills the heart with vivid rainbows that cut across all shadows. Being an American is especially wonderful when we are FULLY ACKNOWL­ EDGED, by benefits and by our rights, as the residents of the United States of America, regardless of which of the fifty fine states we choose to reside in. When I, and many of my fellow homeless brethren were in the military serving our country and willing to lay down our lives, willing to travel to, and reside in, any foreign country upon receiving orders, willing to travel to any American state upon receiving orders, in order to defend EACH and EVERY American's freedom and peace, no one pro­ tested. When the enduring wives of soldiers also had to travel alongside their military husbands, uprooted from beloved friends and family, their children, despite emotionally vulnerable ages, ripped from the arms of a nurturing elementary school's embrace, and flung into strange new schools, no one pro­ tested. But in 1996, Congress decides that they were acting on behalf of enough people who believe "welfare-is-the-problem, limiting-welfare­ amou nts-that-poo r-people-receive-is-the­ answer", that they decided to protest and enact welfare reform punishing residents, (former taxpayers, former soldiers) when they get poor, a who travel to other states. The good news is: THE DOGG IE BISCUITS IN THE MAIL, BABY! and I'm givin' out hugs to cheer up saddened congressmen and the misled citizens who voted for them. But wait, READER, the excellent news isn't over! Not only does this Supreme Court ruling champion the rights and freedom of homeless people to travel, but it also champions the rights of your sister, your mother, your niece, your aunt, perhaps even your daughter and any other female friend you have who may someday have to flee from domestic violence. As a matter of fact, the law limiting welfare benefits was brought to the Supreme Court by three women in California who traveled to the same state in order to escape potentially fatal and violently abusive family environments in Louisi­ ana, Colorado and Oklahoma. You see, as stated in the court syllabus, "The right to travel embraces three different components: the right to enter and leave another State; the right to be treated as a welcome visitor while temporarily present in another State; and the right to be treated like other citizens of that State. The right of newly arrived citizens to the same privileges and immunities enjoyed by other citizens of their new State- the third aspect of the right to travel- is at issue here. That right is protected by the new arrival's status as both a state citizen and a United States citizen, and it is plainly identified in the Fourteenth Amendment's Privileges or Immunities Clause". Now, if this is good news that affects you directly or indirectly (because you now realize that it may save the life of someone you love), regardless of where you are, regardless of who is watching you, please take a moment to smile. We may not always agree, but there are moments when we can all love life, and love the excellent news. D'SAME A.K.A worm PENNSYLVANIA INMATES CHIP IN TO DO THEIR PA.RT FOR JOEY Mark Kram - Daily News Sports Writer The simple fact that the inmates at the State Correctional Institution at Chester earn just 19 cents an hour did not stop them from stepping up on behalf of Joey Jones, the 13­ year-old state-champion figure skater from Southwest Philadelphia who once lived in a homeless shelter. Collecting donations among themselves in sums as large as $53 and as small as 43 cents, the inmates yesterday presented a check for $1,000 to the Joey Jones Skating Fund in a small ceremony in the prison courtyard attended by Joey and his mother, Karen. Staff at the prison contributed an additional $220.50 to the fund, which was set up by the Daily News following a March 16 article on Joey that stirred overwhelming reader response. The total currently in the fund stands at $10,313.50. Help also has been promised by Flyers owner Ed Snider, wflo has said he would pick up Page 14 whatever athletic-related expenses Joey incurs through his appearance in the American State Games in St. Louis in August. "This is just amazing to me," Karen ·Jones said in the prison courtyard. "I am just so overwhelmed by how generous everyone has been." Joey shook his head in wonder and observed, "I just hope I can keep doing well." Two inmates spearheaded the donation drive for Joey at SCI Chester: Anthony Casey, 31 , and Clement Butterfield, 40. Touched by the original story that appeared in the Daily News, Casey and Butterfield received permission from prison officials to take up a collection for Joey and began soliciting contributions. Ultimately, some 700 of the 880 inmates at the prison donated to the fund. "I read the article and thought, 'We should do something,' " said Casey, who has served six years on what he said was a "firearms violation." "I remember I wanted to swim when I was his age, but it was discouraged. I suppose every one of us in here had a dream once." Said Butterfield, who has served just over two years in connection with the theft of a pickup truck: "Some of the people in here facea the same struggles that Joey and his mom faced - being homeless at one point and so on. Some of us could have used someone to step in and help and never got it. We hope he goes far." Prison officials characterized the donations as an effort on the part of ~he inmates to repent. "Remember, some of these guys have taken a great deal from the community," said Mark Jackson, a unit manager at the prison . "This is their way of giving something back, of sharing a common goal and performing a philanthropic act. Some of these guys see themselves or even their own children in Joey. He represents hope to them." Superintendent Mary V. Leftridge Byrd le encourages the inmates to perform charita~ acts. "What we hope to do here is promote the concept of responsible adu_lthood," sh~i . · "This is one way that we can do thar While Byrd and members of her staff looked on, Joey chatted with Casey and Butterfield. Cheerfully, the two inmates asked Joey for his autograph, wondered if he had ever gotten "those new skates that you need" (he did) and offered their encouragement. "Make good choices," Butterfield said. "Keep your eyes on the path ahead." Joey nodded and said he would. Casey then grinned and added, "We got your back, little brother. Good luck." Subscribe to STREETVIBES! For only $ 12 per year you can have STREETVIBES delivered to your home every month. National and Local Stories on Issues regarding homelessness and the poor. News, Information, Personal Stories and more, written eve!}' month by homeless and formerly homeless persons... Send Check or Money Order for $12 to: Streetvibes C/O Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Announcements SECOND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH A ND IS BROA DCAST FROM THE STUDIOS OF CINCINNATI COMMUNITY VIDEO, 2114 READING ROAD, FROM 7 TO BPM. STREETVIBES TV Live Studio Audience Wanted STREETVIBES TV SHOWw ouLD YOU LIKE TO BE A PART OF OUR LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE? SHOW IS TAPED LIVE ON THE STREETVIBES Classified Ads Streetvibes is now accepting Classi­ fied Ads for items such as Help Wanted, Items for Sale, Apartments for Rent and other non-personal items. The rate is only $1 per line, approximately ten words per line. Classified ads are due by the 20th of the month. People below the poverty level will be allowed five free lines for six months to advertise their skills or products to our readers. Otherwise, payment must be re­ ceived before the ad will run . No refunds will be made. Also, if there is an error, notify us after the fi rst printing. ·vou will be given an extra month of ad time. Mail the ad copy to: Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 4521 O or fax it to 421 -7813 COVERS NEWS ON POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS AND RELATED ISSUES. CALL US AT THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF OUR LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION - 421-7803 music Band Looking for Work Streetvibes (the band). We like to party. R&B, O ldies, Blues/ Jazz, Reggae. Helping the homeless to help themselves through free enterprize. Call 421·7803. position wanted Dwight Wise HVAC Technician for hire. 24 Service! Call 751-3182. Thank You! ••••••• • •••• • •••••••••••••• STREETVIBES provides Classified Ads free to low income job seekers. Others may plac,e ads for only $1 per line. Call 421-7803 for info. Page 1s Mac Day! Rev. Maurice Mccrackin Day Celebration!! Where: Laurel Park aka "The Commons" on Ezzard Charles Drive near Linn Street, opposite St. Joseph Church. When: Saturday, June 19th - 1pm to 6pm. Speakers, Information Tables, Childrens Games, Music, Food, Face Painting, Clown, Adult Activities... Open mic - 3:30pm For more information call Phil Seher @ 381-4526 or Brian Crum @ 221­ 5537 Scramble A nswers from page 11... COMPUTER TELEVISION STEREO CASSETTE VIDEO RECORDER PRINTER ZEROX FAX Streetvibes Radio Hour On WAIF 88.3 fm Support Your Local Vendor... Tell A Friend About The Homeless Coalition has a live radio program wnich can be heard on WAIF radio on the second Saturday of each month at noon . The show is co-hosted by Mary Burke, Donald Whitehead and other monthly guest hosts. The show mixes talk focusing on the stories in this paper and eclectic musical selections. Here are the next show dates; WAIF 88.3 fm Saturday, July 1Oth, 1999, noon to 1 pm Streetvibes! Advertise in Streetvibes! Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct Each vendor has to sign the following 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 more than $1. I also understand that I will be able to keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. Future issues of Streetvibes will be purchased from the Homeless Coalition for 20 certs. 2. I agree that I will never distribute Streetvibes while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 3. I agree that I will not ask for donations after 12 midnight. 4. I agree to treat others with respect. I will not use abusive language or force someone to give a donation. I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel threatened. 5. I agree that I will not supply copies of Streetvibes to persons who are not registered distributors. 6. I agree not to deceive the public by saying that I am collecting for a not-for-profit charity or that I a~ 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. 7. I agree that I will not contest territories with other distributors. 8. 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. 9. I understand that failure to comply with any of the above statements will result in me no longer being able to distribute Streetvibes. Advertising in Streetvibes is a chance for businesses to help a good cause while promoting themselves to over 5,000 concerned people each month: The rates are shown below. ***Business Card Size 2" x 3 1/2" $10 per month ***Two Business Card Size 4" x 3 1/2" $20 per month A check or money order must accompany the ad copy. We reserve the right to deny any ad, especially those which promote alcohol or tobacco products. You will receive a full refund should your ad be denied. For larger ads, call the number below. Ads are due by the 20th of each month. If you need assistance in preparing your ad or have any other questions, call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803. Mail ads with payment to: Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati , OH 45210 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Streetvi bes TV 'ALONE' from page 13... .. • Page 16 woosh, the big sound came and they went into the clouds. The story went on for an hour. He taught us that "birdies" were always with us, but we don't see them because we look with our eyes and we don't hear them because we listen with our ears. But they are always there, you can only see them in here (he put his hand over his heart). They whisper the things to help us to do what is right because they love us so much. Brian continued, stating, "I have a plan, Mommy. You have a plan. Daddy has a plan. Everyone has a plan. We must all live our plan and keep our promises. The birdies help us to do that cause they love us so much." In the weeks that followed, he often came to us and told all, or part of it again and again. Always the story remained the same. The details were never changed or out of order. A few times he added further bits of information and clarified the message he had already delivered. It never ceased to amaze us how he could tell such detail and speak beyond his ability when he spoke of his "birdies". Everywhere he went, he told strangers about the "birdies". Surprisingly, no one ever looked at him strangely when he did this. Rather, they always got a softened look on their face and smiled. Needless to say, we have not been the same ever since that day, and I pray we never will be. The Streetvibes TV Show is produced at the facilities of Cincinnati Community Video, 2114 Reading Road. If you would like to be a part of our live studio audience please call the Greater Cincinnat i Coalition for the Homeless at 421-7803 for more informat ion. Streetvibes TV JULY Schedule July's Live TV show will begin at 7PM, Monday, July 12th, and will be broadcast from the Reading Road Studio. The new show format includes a studio audience along with a guest panel discussion. If you have any ideas for future STREETVIBES TV shows please contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless office at 421-7803. We always enjoy hearing from our viewing audience. Ideas should ad­ dress subjects related to homelessness and poverty in our city. We are always interested in viewer ideas, so please give us a call. .. Streetvibes Wish List Streetvibes newspaper is published monthly on a shoe-string budget from the offices of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. We depend heavily on the goodwill of many volunteers and donors. If you can help out with some of the items on our wish list please give us a call. .. Channel 24. LIVE CALL-IN SHOW. MONDAY. July 12th at 7PM. Rebroadcast Dates f or Show on Chan­ nel 4: (Please check your schedule) Saturday, July 3, 1999, 4 PM Friday, July 9, 1999, 11 AM Friday, July 16, 1999, 11 AM Monday, July 26, 1999, 1O PM Saturday, July 24, 1999, 4 PM >35 MM Film for Streetvibes photo's Broadcast schedules are subject to change - consult your local TV directory. >Good used or new Xerox machine >laser Printer >Advertisers to help support the paper >Office Supplies endor: 80 eents Printing and Production: 20 cents • Where Your Dollar Goes >Supplies for Vendors Lounge (coffee, cups, etc.) ...._ >Computer for Streetvibes layout and writing >Subscribers Streetvibes has a minimal overhead cost so that the vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. If anyone selling Streetvibes claims to be collect­ ing for a private charity, please call our office at 421-7803. Thanks for your support . f 'J Need Help or Want to Help.? ( If for some reason you fil)d yourself homeless, contact a Coalition Member Agency for Shelter, Treatment, Housing or Services. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. •.t SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Womens Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) l-888-872-9259 281-5770 YWCA Transitional Living Prog. Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome House 431-8717 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission Garden Street House Joseph House (Veterans) Mt. Airy Center Volunteers of America 241-5525 241-0490 241-2965 661-4620 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Caracole (AIDS) Chabad House Drop Inn Center (Singles) Friars Club Haven House (Hamilton) Interfaith Hospitality Network 761- 1480 821-5100 721 -0643 381-5432 863-8866 244-7226 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) St. John's Temporary Housing HOUSING CMHA Excel Development Miami Purchase OTA Housing Network ReSTOC Tender Mercies Tom Geiger House TREATMENT: Women O.D.A.A.T First Step Home TREATMENT: Men Charlie's 3/4 House Prospect House St. Francis- St. Joseph House Starting Over TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline A.A. Hotline C.C.A.T. Talbert House Transitions, Inc. VA Domiciliary OTHER SERVICES AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati Appalachian Identity Center 961-4080 651-6446 721-4580 632-7149 241 -0504 369-0004 381-0954 639-7056 961-4555 241 -7343 921-7324 784-1853 921-1613 381-4941 751-3260 820-2947 861-9966 381-6660 684-7956 491-4435 559-5011 421-2437 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 591-2246 Churches Active in Northside 961-0600 Cincinnati Health Network 569-1840 Community Action Agency 381-4242 Contact Center 241-2563 Emanuel Community Center 241-1064 Freestore/Foodbank 771-4800 Goodwill Industries 621-7149 Hamilton Co.Mental Health Bd. 632-7186 Hamilton Co. TB Control 357-4602 Health Resource Center 352-2902 Homeless Mobile Health Van House of Refuge Mission 221-3679 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assistance Ctr. 271-5501 721-4811 Mary Magdalen House 621-0248 Oral Health Council 621-6364 Our Daily Bread 621-5514 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 721-7660 Travelers Aid 721-7900 United Way 559-6656 VA Homeless Program 491-3335 Women's Crisis Center � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1999 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 June 1999 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Demolition of Cincinnati Public Housing Pg 2: The Traveler Homeless Grapevine Pg 3: Doctors Urge Outreach to Homeless Teens San Francisco’s MATRIX Targets Homeless Containers Double as Housing Pg 4: Buddy’s Place Opens its Door Pg 5: The Broken City Pg 6: Arts & Poetry Pg 7: Nationwide News Pg 8: Prisoner’s News Pg 9: Housing Crisis Threatens Honolulu’s Poor Pg 10: Welfare News Pg 11: 'Electronics Funds Transfer’ Program Designed to Protect Government Funds Recipients Pg 12: Editorials & Letters Pg 13: Etcetera Pg 14: Excellent News of Poor Travelers Pennsylvania Inmates Chip in to do their part for Joey 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 June 1999 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Donald Whitehead Jimmy Heath Ron Carter Gina Miller Malik Amilcar Denise Crew Anitra Freeman Richard Frye Amy Harpenau Lloyd Glen Mike Henson Shepard Andrew Martin Bonnie Neumeier Victor Velez Lynn Williams Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Amy Harpeneau anitra freeman Arts & Poetry Bonnie Neumeier buddy gray buddy's place Denise Crew Donald Whitehead Evangelist Jimmy Heath Lloyd Glen Lynn Williams Malik Amilcar Mike Henson National Homeless Summit nationwide news police brutality prisoners news Richard Frye Ron Carter San Antonio San Francisco Shepard Andrew Martin the broken city The Traveler Victor Velez welfare