20 10 291 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/90a4b32d4d99e79877119b4377d8a45d.pdf 87e50875e8555b7a15a3c779ad9e02b5 PDF Text Text October 7th - October 20th 2016 | Vol. 20 Issue 21 (No. 340) advocating justice | Building community Farm Workers Call For BoyCott | 10 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Charity White Challenges Design | 3 Shantytown Season Kicks off | 5 Duke's Revised Pipeline | 7 Patricia Garry Recognized For her Work| 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 From the Director: Does Financial Growth Prove You are a Good Christian Working for God? JOSH SPRING D Executive Director o large profits and a high salary mean you are successful? If you work hard, create a business strategy, execute it and as a result receive large dividends does that mean God is smiling on you, your family and your company? Are great financial returns evidence of following a firm spiritual faith? I raise these questions because there are people who trust the Christian faith (as well as other faiths too, but I am focusing on the Christian faith in particular here) that believe evidence of following the teachings of God, Jesus and the Bible include significant financial gain. In other words, if you take certain actions and they benefit you and those close to you financially, then you successfully followed your religious faith. From where does this belief come? Some sources include: the understanding that God cares about every aspect of your life including your business endeavors and finances, the Bible teaches that we should work hard and hard work pays off, the Bible says that a person will be proved a follower of Jesus by the “fruits” of her or his life; Jesus taught that we will “reap what we sew”, Jesus told a parable about a boss who before leaving for an extended period of time gave money to three different employees; one employee buried the money in the yard because he was afraid of losing it and angering the boss and the other two employees took risks, invested it and when the boss returned he praised the employees who strategized, took risks and reaped profit and rebuked the man who did not have the faith to take the risk. These are just a few sources from which the belief that for Christians financial gain means there is also spiritual success and growth. Here is the problem: each of these examples are good beliefs to live by; God does care about the holistic person, hard work is important, the true ingredients of a person are shown by her or his “fruits”, we do eventually reap what we sew, and creating strategy and taking risks do show faith; but not just any personally perceived payoff should be considered proof that any action taken to get there was in alignment with God’s vision. What if in the parable of the boss and two employees, one had buried the money and the other two had used the money to purchase someone else’s home, displaced them from their home, renovate it and sold it to wealthier people for a large profit? These employees still would have created strategy, worked hard and operated with the faith that there would be a payoff. The employees may have even used some of the money to “relocate” those displaced. Do you think in this version of the story Jesus would have made the two real-estate developer employees the good moral examples? Or would they too have been shown to be examples of acting immorally; taking risks and reaping financial payoff, but through unjust means and in fact that their “fruit” showed they were not following the beliefs they claimed? While the story did not include Smart cars, dumbeddown drivers, fawning regulators, and eager personal- injury lawyers ROBERT PARK D Contributing Writer riving is a complex task. It is a skill that can improve even after years of experience. For the designers and programmers of socalled smart cars, driving is a serious challenge: the result might not achieve society’s minimal expectations and requirements. It may go the way of the supersonic airliner and the betamax video machine. The incentives appear to be twofold: 1) getting rid of people who drive something for a living (taxis, trucks, delivery vans..), and who think they deserve a living wage, and, 2) providing for consumers having too much disposable income another IT gadget with which to degrade their and our existence. The fundamental flaw in this marketing strategy comes down to liability. A system which is designed to not require close driver involvement decides to hand-off responsibility in the split second just when things get difficult. No driver is going to pay attention for endless periods when the need for their intervention has been downgraded to almost zero. It’s the old problem of watching dials in the nuclear power plant. Furthermore, drivers born and raised in the smart car era won’t be much good at driving to begin with, especially when things go wrong. Kids can’t even add in their heads any more. The smart-car lawyers have probably this example, my guess is that if it did, Jesus would have added in a fourth employee in order to have a moral example of how to act. The point is that when Christians simply claim they are living and working within the will and calling of God because their efforts show financial payoff, they are at minimum very short-sighted. And more than likely they are actually trying to quiet their conscience. The real source for this sort of perspective is human greed and desire to control one’s surroundings. Consider the many years of televangelists who have taught health and wealth or prosperity gospel. They tell us that the more money we give them, the more money God will give us because God’s goal for us is to be financially wealthy. In fact, they proclaim that God shows pleasure and reward in us through financial growth. Simply put; if your financial coffers are increasing it is because you are pleasing God. In the parable, the boss says to the two employees who followed his vision: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” What can we extract from this? The boss cared about the results (“well done”), the methods ("good”), and the motivation (“trustworthy”). In the deceitful health and wealth gospel all that God cares about is the portion of the result that shallowly benefited yourself. Justice is found in the why and how as well as the result. ------------------------ O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 0 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: Key Beck Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper figured this all out. Anyone buying a smart car will be signing a statement saying that the owner and any permitted driver of the vehicle assumes responsibility at any time when called for by the not so smart auto-pilot. You can be sure there will be a black box recording this. No accident will ever be a smart car’s fault. If there’s a sensor performance problem (and there will be many) it’s the driver’s fault that maintenance was lacking. What about splattered mud, ice, flying debris, heavy rain. Let’s look at a glowing claim for this promising technology: “It will reduce accidents.” Have studies shown that most accidents happen because responsible drivers weren’t aware of their surroundings or didn’t know how to steer or choose appropriate speeds? The behaviors at high risk for causing accidents will be in people choosing not to defer to a computer. They will find adherence to speed limits rather unacceptable. The bob-and-weave bullies won’t use it. In fact, they’ll be encouraged to take advantage of smart cars they encounter on the (Continued on page 7) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Robert Park, Tess Sohngen, Malia Pitts, Dr. Mark Mussman, Michael Earl Patton, Mike Brown, Steve Sunderland, Jason Haap, Lee McCoy, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones, Bill Woods Photography/Artwork: Tess Sohngen, Patricia Garry, Dr. Mark Mussman, Michael Earl Patton, Mike Brown, 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 Charity White challenges the design of public spaces with her own designs No. 34 0 | O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 T hroughout history and across the country, designers and urban planners have worked to create public spaces that function for the needs of the people and draw others into the city. These public spaces are also designed to keep some people out. Leading the discussion through her exhibit “Prescriptive Space,” art activist Charity White challenged the ways in which public spaces are designed to shun homelessness and poverty, held at Miami University Center for Community Engagement in Over-the-Rhine, Sept. 30. “With this series I really wanted to keep that conversation open,” said White of the discussion around homelessness and space in cities across the United States. Among the many changes urbanization has brought to cities like Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district, designs for public spaces have less and less invited homeless people in and instead attempted to push the “problem” out of the city. “Every action has a reaction. There are always unintended consequences,” said White. “Prescriptive Space” is the most worked as an art teacher in the Chicago public school system. After months of trying to engrain in students’ heads what they needed to know” about art, she had a paradigm shift in her way of thinking about, and teaching, art. She and the students “re-appropriated” the deteriorating art room into a space that worked for and represented the students. She took this new mentality with her to Florida. “I started working on projects that would make me go out into the community. They made me investigate my space a little bit more, and I started to learn a little bit about how decay and environments and public space look differently than [they] looked in Chicago.” White started creating humanlike ceramics, placing them in public and abandoned spaces and documenting the public’s interactions with the stone humans. Her first piece was of a young girl outside a vacant apartment in a gentrifying neighborhood of Chicago. The apartment stood next to a fancy, new restaurant. “It’s a boarded-up building that recent series she has done and her first exhibit in Over-the-Rhine’s Final Friday, an event held on the last Friday of each month where artist and galleries showcase their work to the public. Before moving to Gainesville, FL to complete her MFA in ceramics at the University of Florida, White is supposed to be ignored, supposed to be walked past. But what does it mean to bring people into that environment, to make them aware of that building that’s supposed to be silent?” White said. A camera on the building captured people’s interactions with the girl, allowing White to investigate how people interact with her sculp- TESS SOHNGEN Contributing Writer “Breakdown Stereotypes” tures placed in public spaces. The statue of the girl was taken by a man living in the abandoned apartment, but White continued to investigate public space and interaction using this sculpture and video project. “I became less interested in these public spaces and more interested in the people who were occupying this space and how public space and private space were defined,” said White. “I became really interested in understanding how public spaces are being designed and being manipulated.” This lead to her project “Prescriptive Space” where she created three life-sized sculptures representing homeless individuals and placed them on benches in the downtown of Gainesville, FL. This occurred while the city underwent initiatives to change the locations and accessibility of resources for its homeless population. “Dealing with the growing issue of homelessness within Florida, and in the presence, they weren’t trying to fix the problem, they were trying to move the problem,” said White. “They were almost trying to inconvenience the homeless out of the downtown.” Again, White recorded the interactions people had with the sculptures, and the results were heartbreaking. Many people posed to take selfies with the statues; others touched and teased the statues; and two were violently assaulted. One statue of a man was broken into several pieces and re-arranged on the bench without his Converse shoe. The woman statue was kicked, and her bottom half fell off the bench, breaking off her foot. No one put a blanket or coat over the statues. “My sculptures, as they have grown in size and become life-size, they also started to become stand-ins for people,” said White. “We have issues of that here where there will be people sleeping on the street and the bar crowd gets out and they’ll just lay down next to them and take selfies,” said Mark Mussman, Director of Education at the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. If the treatment of her statues on Main St. were any indication of the public perception of homelessness and space, what message does this send about how people experiencing homelessness are perceived and treated in public spaces? “It was originally believed that these parks and public spaces were there for the betterment of our society,” said White. “But as time has shifted… there are areas that… have the appearance of being completely open to the public… but really, you’re there to exist as a consumer, and they are actually private property. So if there is someone there that does not want you there and does not deem you a desirable person in that local, (Continued on page 9) “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 3 �4 LOCAL O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 0 PATRICIA GARRY IS RECOGNIZED FOR HER WORK IN COMMUNITY DEVELPOMENT P atricia Garry, executive director of CDC Association of greater Cincinnati, was nationally recognized for her work in community development. On August 30th, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was awarded the 2016 Diane Sterner Award for Community Economic Development Association Leadership. The award recognizes an individual’s work based on consistent commitment that results in benefits to the community development field and industry. Garry was nominated for the award by her colleagues for her leadership in community development in Cincinnati and all throughout Ohio. She was surprised when she got the call that she was the award winner. “My oldest son was in an accident in the summer and died in June,” Garry says. “My staff was telling me I need to go to Cleveland and they even invented a workshop with our back office and I just didn’t want to go, I wasn’t feeling it at the moment. So finally they called and told me that I won and it was a wonderful feeling especially at that time,” She says. In 1979 Garry, along with other community leaders, realized they spent so much time teaching people about community development, they weren’t getting anything done. They came up with a solution to create an MALIA PITTS Contributing Writer organization that provides pure training on community development, advocating, and researching on new ideas. That is when they created the CDC Association of Greater Cincinnati, which was at the time known as the NDC Association of Greater Cincinnati. “There was a time where there was no community development, no community councils, there was no infrastructure like that,” Garry said. “Other members of the community and I formed city councils and we would bring people in, and they would bring people in and pretty soon we formed a community and made things happen,” she said. Patricia Garry THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED When Garry began her work in this field she never expected to stay in the field for so long, but she’s glad she did because she was able to be involved with the city’s transformation. “I can drive all over town and remember what neighborhood and who the leader was and what the meetings were all about,” Garry said. “I’ve seen this city and this organization start from something small and turn into something beautifully big,” she says. Garry retires from CDC in December, she believes they’re ready for a new fingerprint, someone fun and willing try some new things when it comes to continuing the growth of the organization. “CDC is on such a roll, they’re getting bigger and better by the minute. This becomes my time to back slowly away,” Garry says. “You don’t wait for a crisis. You leave when you feel your job is done and that it will be in good hands” she says. When asked what is next after retirement, Garry says she will always be involved in community development whether through volunteer work or other things. “I love my job, I spent my whole life doing this, so it will take some time for me to just be done with this completely,” Garry says. ------------------------ �5 LOCAL No. 34 0 | O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 Shantytown Season Kicks Off DR. MARK MUSSMAN A Staff Writer s we pulled into Taylor High School’s parking lot, it was clear that this year’s Shantytown was going to be a little different from last year. Taylor High School is in the Three Rivers Local School District just west of Cincinnati. A newly built school stands stately in the background, past the school rolling hills of trees. The school looks like a college – stately, large and sprawling. In the foreground a series of communally built cardboard boxes form a ring in the grass. These cardboard boxes are the home of nearly 40 students for the night. When Sam Jackson, the speaker, and I exit the car we immediately hear the excitement level grow. I overhear a student running through the parking lot say “Is that Sam Jackson?!” to students, who are excited to see Sam again, to come sit with us for Sam’s story. Shantytown is an opportunity for students to learn more about homelessness and how to become an advocate. Typically held in October, which is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, schools across the region hold Shantytowns to raise awareness about homelessness by hosting a sleep-over at the school. Most schools will sleep outside in makeshift cardboard boxes, while others will seek refuge in the gym when the weather turns bad. Schools don’t need to have a sleep-over to do a Shantytown, they can do alternative activities, but the sleep-over really gives students a chance to learn and process issues surrounding homelessness in a safe Students learning stateies to help fight homelessness Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman the night. Student participant Holly reflected on the importance of having a speaker from the Homeless Coalition, “This experience helped to put a face on homelessness. We often completely overlook others who are in desperate need of help.” After Sam spoke at Taylor High, I asked what students found memorable. Students talked Shantytown at Taylor High School Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman a friend who responds “I think so!” Later, I learn that the students took part in Mayerson’s summer program where several Streetvibes Distributors mentor students through a photography project. In the past, the photography project culminated in the Day By Day calendar – this year the students and Distributors created a poster series (to be released before the holidays). This is only Taylor High’s second Shantytown. Last year, Melissa Mosby told her story to a small group of students on a very cold night – so cold that this year I brought a jacket. It turned out to be 80 degrees this year, so the jacket remained in the car. As we got to the Shantytown, I smell the giant pots of soup – most likely a mix of cans that the students brought, and I see cardboard scattered in a pile on the ground. Sam and I pick up a couple of pieces and encourage the setting. Shantytown is not a way for students to experience homelessness – although many students have experienced homelessness in their lives. Couch-surfing, doubling up, and even sleeping in shelters or on the street, are real experiences many students face today. In Cincinnati Public Schools it is estimated that 3,000 students experience homelessness in any given year. This is why Project Connect was started to help identify and help students while maintaining dignity and respect. UpSpring works in a similar capacity with students in other regional schools. Shantytown gives students the ability to learn more and then to spread their awareness throughout the schools. A Shantytown experience will be different at all schools, but having a speaker come and tell their own personal story is usually the highlight of about how he quickly went from what we might call a “normal” life to having nothing, even though he was working really hard to rectify the situation. Students asked about his relationship with his son and connected with Sam on the familial level. They admired his tenacity. A student participant, Taylor, reflected “Like in Sam's story, homelessness is not always your own fault. Sometimes things happen that are out of your control. I learned how big the problem of homelessness is across our area and the whole country.” As we were leaving, the teacher told us that they were planning on doing the Cardboard Brigade in the morning, but with a special twist. The Cardboard Brigade is when students tear up their boxes that they slept in and make signs with statistics and facts about homelessness. When other students arrive to school in the morning, they hold up the signs to help continue the dialogue into the school day. Then they place the statistics throughout the school for everyone to see. Taylor High does the Cardboard Brigade with a special twist – bags over their heads. They do this to signify how we erase the faces off of people who are experiencing homelessness, we as a society Cardboard Brigade engage students with statitistics and visiuals. Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED (Continued on page 7) �6 LOCAL O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 0 rd 3 Annual Oakley Masquerade Cincinnati’s largest Halloween costume party returns for its third year. All net proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. Open Top-Shelf Bar ● Photo Booth ● Silent Auction ● Light Hors d’oeuvres Oct 14 | 8pm – Midnight | 20th Century Theater www.OakleyMasquerade.com for details and reservations THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL 7 No. 34 0 | O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 Duke's Revised Pipeline MICHAEL EARL PATTON Contributing Writer D “File a Public Comment.” The links to the application are also on this page. The biggest change is the size of the pipeline. Originally the pipeline was to be 30 inches in diameter, now Duke Energy is proposing a 20-inch diameter pipeline. The pressure has also been reduced, although not by much. Originally Duke had proposed a pipeline with an operating pressure of 600 psi, now it is just 500. True, there are several places in the introduction to the application where the § ¨ ¦ pressure is said to be just 400 psi, but on page 5-8 § ¨ ¦ it states “[t]he proposed pipeline will have a MAOP [Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure] of § ¨ ¦ § ¨ ¦ 500 psig and is planned to operate up to this pressure.” The permanent rightof-way will be 30 feet, where possible (application, p. 5-3). Additional land may be used during the construction if there is not ± sufficient workspace along Duke-route map revised side an existing road. The Source: Ohio Power Siting Board maximum width used during construction may be as much “16-0253-GA-BTX: Duke Central as 80 feet. Corridor Extension Gas Pipeline, The reason given for the Hamilton County,” followed by pipeline is to “balance system supply from north to south” and to retire the propane peaking plants which are needed for the coldest days when demand is greatest. Duke Energy says hybrid and electric vehicles. The application also states that the new pipeline is needed in order to shut down older sections of pipe temporarily and replace them, but uke Energy has made a few revisions to their earlier gas pipeline proposal that was the subject of a Streetvibes article in the August 12 – 25 issue. Duke claims the revisions were the result of public input, and now has filed a formal application. To see the application or to leave a comment, go to www.opsb.ohio. gov. Scroll down a little and click on “pending cases.” Then click on Line C314 \\CANOPUS\Groups\GIS\00_Proj\D\Duke\Duke_C143_extension\Maps\Report\OPSB\Report\Figure_2_2.mxd WW Feed Station 275 ! R Location of Project in Hamilton County, Ohio Norfolk Southern Railroad 75 ilford Rd Line A Glendale-M 71 I&O/SORTA Railroad 75 Norwood Regulation Station (Alternate Route, Existing) ! R Lin eV V U 562 Line V ! R Fairfax Regulation Station (Preferred Route, Proposed) C314V Central Corridor Pipeline Extension Project LEGEND: ! R Station Preferred Route Alternate Route Central Corridor Pipeline Extension Study Area Existing Duke Pipelines Railroad Municipal Boundary BASE MAP SOURCE: ESRI World Topographic Map 2015 0 5,000 FIGURE 2-2 STUDY AREA OVERVIEW MAP 10,000 Scale in Feet PN: 672247 CREATED BY: TH REVIEWED BY: JN Source: Michael Earl Patton, using data from Baker-Hughes these plants are aged. Although the application does talk a little about what happens if there are no peaking plants, it does not consider the alternative of rebuilding the peaking plants. It states that the propane creates difficulties for natural gas vehicles (NGV) and modern gas handling equipment at “end user facilities” (p. 4-1), but does not give details as to why this would be so. It does state that Duke foresees the potential development of NGV filling stations in central Hamilton County (p. 3-10). There will be more on the increased use of natural gas later in this article, but justifying the pipeline on potential NGV usage is dubious in light of the increasing efficiency and range of more conventional gasoline- again does not go into any details. Duke Energy requests that the public meetings they already had when they said the pipeline would be 30 inches in diameter be allowed to fulfill the public meeting requirements now that the diameter has been reduced. Thus it is important to go to the OPSB website and submit your comments. The main opposition group, Neighbors Opposing Pipeline Extension (N.O.P.E., www.nopecincy.org) remains opposed, as does the local Sierra Club. In my previous article I showed some graphs to explain my concern that there may not be enough natural gas for the increased thoughts on Shantytown, “Participating in Shantytown really opened my eyes up to see the everyday struggles of people without homes. It made my problems feel like they were so small.” (Continued on page 9) DR. MARK MUSSMAN (Continued from page 5) discount them and tell them they have no value. This also creates a haunting vision to help continue the discussion about person-first language and the existence of homelessness in every community. Josh, a student wrote in response to the Cardboard Brigade “It really got me upset when we had the paper bags over our heads. There were so many people that go to our school that just walked right by without even looking at us. I am sure that the same thing happens to people experiencing homelessness everyday.” One of the most hard hitting aspects of Shantytown can come in the middle of the night. Some schools work with local law enforcement to stage an eviction while students are sleeping. Police abruptly wake up confused students and force them to move their Shantytown from one place to another, sometimes just feet away, to show how difficult it may be to find a legal space to sleep. Brooke’s response shows how fear and anger can turn to ROBERT PARK (Continued from page 2) road, a whole new brand of high-tech bullying. What about drunk drivers? Could they be required to use it? Does that put liability on the enforcers? Let’s hope the personal injury lawyers are watching this foolishness and sympathy: “When the Cleves police showed up at 2:30AM and evicted us from our shanties I was scared to death. Even though it ended up that we did not have to actually move I now understand how it would feel for a person experiencing homelessness. They really would have no place to go!” I applaud the work that Taylor High School has done in the past year to help their students understand the complexity and issues surrounding homelessness. I believe that the work they accomplish, even with a small percentage of the student body participating that night, will create a ripple effect throughout the school and the entire community. Students who are exposed to the realities of homelessness at an early age are able to grasp very difficult realities in the future. This gives them the insight they need to become a part of the solution – in whatever way they are able – to help eradicate homelessness once and for all. Anna, another student offered her ------------------------ Students participating in Shantytown Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman sharpening their knives. Maybe a few good (unfortunate) cases will put this problem behind us. This is another example of IT run amuck. Let’s spend the money on good public transit, get rid of a lot of damn cars. ------------------------ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �8 WORLD Puuhonua O Waianae: Hawaii’s refuge for the homeless, by the homeless O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 0 ALEXANDER DEEDY W Courtesy of Spare Change News / INSP.ngo hen Twinkle Borge heard about the community meeting in 2010 to discuss the growing homeless encampment population near Waianae Boat Harbor on Oahu's west coast, she decided the camp's residents should have a voice. Borge had been living in the camp since 2006, a few years after she became homeless. At the time there were only seven people living there, she says. But as the homeless got swept from camps elsewhere on the island, they trickled into the village. The camp became known as Puuhonua O Waianae, a homage to the traditions of old Hawaii, where a Puuhonua was considered a sacred place free of punishment and judgment for natives who broke the law. Blunt and indomitable, Borge was comfortable acting as camp mediator, but her leadership responsibilities escalated at the meeting when the harbormaster gave her 60 days to clean set up a system to get income for the rest of the community. "I'm trying to make our community formal," she says. "And not something others think we are." Borge has also been experimenting with hydroponics. She set up a 20-by-20 tent in the camps community area community area. Inside the tent, two halves of a plastic 50-gallon drum sit above a water tank and boast sprouts of taro and lettuce. When the plants are watered, excess liquid drains into a holding tank below, and holds freshwater tilapia fish. None of the plants in the drums are large enough to eat yet, but on a nearby hillside one resident is growing some promising crops. The end goal, Borge says, is to get enough crops growing that they can set up a tent by the road and sell produce to Waianae residents. The camp's residents use pallets to develop infrastructure, much like in Old Puuhonua, where there were A pathway through the Puuhonua O Waianae homeless camp in Hawaii. Credit: Alexander Deedy up the camp. Over the next two months, Borge kicked out six families that were causing trouble and instituted a set of governing rules, including monthly meetings and required volunteer hours to maintain the village. Anyone who enters the camp is now sent to Borge for a screening, which she starts by asking if they'd rather live in a shelter or in the camp. She also asks each prospective resident is if they have any outstanding warrants. If they do, she contacts police and arranges for the person to see a judge. While it was difficult to kick the six families out of the camp, Borge says it was necessary. "It's not like I wanted to it, I had to," she explains. Borge and the camp's matriarchs didn't stop there. Over the past six years they installed a solar-powered light that illuminates a section of pathway through the camp, and Borge says she's seeking sponsors for more so that kids can find their way around at night. Borge estimated that 40 of camp's residents now have jobs, and when a storm rolls through that damages camps, everyone pitches in to help families rebuild before working on individual camps. She's also hopes to great walls and carved wooden images. Residents of the camp initially wanted pallets just to elevate their tents off the ground, Jerrell Tate, a pastor who regularly ministers in the camp, says. Then when a call went out that the homeless needed pallets to stay dry, local businesses answered generously. Wooden pallets became the barrier separating the camp from the beach, working as fences surrounding individual tents and borders for the dirt pathways that meander through the encampment. Inside the camp, blue tarps are stretched over couches, generators can be heard humming and even sounds of TVs carry from some tents. "When you think of a homeless camp, this isn't what you imagine," Tate says, gesturing around him. Around Waianae, some people still have the perception that the homeless camp is full of drug addicts and mentally unstable, and that authorities should clear it out, says Cedric Gates, the chair of the Waianae Neighborhood Board. But plenty of other people have compassion for those in the camp, and as someone who works with the village's leaders, Gates says he's part of the latter Twinkle Borge, matriarch and mediator within the Puuhonua O Waianae homeless camp. Credit: Alexander Deedy group. "I would debunk the narrative that the people - all the people - living in there are substance abusers and mentally ill," he says. "There's working class families there and they are struggling because they can't find any low-income rentals to live in." In Hawaii, where wages are similar to much of the contiguous United States but cost of living is considerably higher, the per capita homeless rate is the highest in the nation. Homelessness is so pervasive in the state that Hawaii's governor, David Ige, declared last October a state of emergency to deal with the issue. The governor's co-ordinator on homelessness is Scott Morishige, a young Hawaiian who says the state's approach in treating the homeless is grounded in Ohana Nui, a Hawaiian phrase that means 'extended family.' Now almost a year into his position, he says the state is tackling the homeless issue through three lenses: creating permanent, affordable housing, addressing human services needs and ensuring public safety. He noted the last point is important because homeless sometimes settle in dangerous spots, like on the side of a cliff or by a gas line. In the case of Puuhonua O Waianae, the village isn't in a dangerous spot, but the land was intended for another use. The 20-acre lot is under the control the state Department of Aquatic Resources because under the dirt, in ponds of mixed salt and freshwater, live a rare species of Hawaiian red shrimp found only on Oahu's west coast. When biologists last assessed the property several years ago, Morishige said they found the human encampment had likely caused some damage to the population. "As we face issues like homeless … how do we balance these competing mandates?" Morishige asked. "How do we balance the needs of the people who are there - not all necessarily by choice - who have now made this their home, with the need to preserve the unique wildlife for future generations?" The starting point is through conversations with residents, which Morishige regularly has with people from the camp. Recently, he asked Borge to stop taking in any more residents. "One of the concerns is, if the encampment continues to grow, at what point will Twinkle and her captains be able to kind of maintain order?" Morishige asks. Borge says she's refused to stop taking in new people. "Why would we want to turn any- Brenda Cruz, who says she has been living in the Puuhonua O Waianae camp longer than anyone, washes her clothes in an old cooler on the beach. Credit: Alexander Deedy THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED (Continued on page 11) �No. 34 0 | O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 MICHAEL EARL PATTON (Continued from page 7) 9 LOCAL Administration (www.ncdc.noaa. gov) says it was the warmest reserves at the end of the winter. And the potential problem has gotten worse as more and more coal-fired electric power plants are being converted to natural gas. So what is the point of installing even more pipelines if there won’t be enough gas to fill those pipelines when we really need it, as in a very Second, and this is more of a longterm project, work to conserve natural gas where possible. I think there is a supply squeeze coming. I can’t predict when any more than I can predict the weather years in advance, but I am certain it will come several decades sooner than the hundred years of supply that Source: Michael Earl Patton, using data from Energy Information Agency usage apparently predicted by Duke. A larger pipeline is of no use winter (from December through if there is not enough natural gas February) in the contiguous to fill it. I give updated versions of United States since comprehensive the graphs in my previous article records started being kept over a Source: Michael Earl Patton, using data from NOAA below. In the past two months there have not been any significant changes. Natural gas production still appears to have peaked and may be slowly declining. There has been a slight increase in the number of rotary rigs drilling for natural gas, but the number is still way, way down from its peak in 2008 and only about a third of the number before the fracking boom started. Unfortunately, the extra reserve we had a few months ago has just about disappeared. The large build-up in gas storage reserves – when compared to the normal range -- was due to the exceptionally warm winter. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric hundred years ago. We only have to go back a little to find a colderthan-normal winter. The winter of 2013/14 was cold, almost a degree below normal on average, but it was hardly a recordbreaker. NOAA has it only as the 33rd coldest winter on record. Now look at the amount of natural gas that was in storage near the end of March 2014. This illustrates my concern. Given a winter that was just a little colder than normal, and even with the huge number of rigs that had been drilling for natural gas for years, the amount of gas that was available for customers (like us) plummeted. In fact the country was down to just half of our normal cold winter? In fact, an updated version of those propane peaking plants that Duke wants to get rid of sound like a good thing to have in reserve. What to do? First, if you want to weigh in on the question it’s best to contact the Ohio Power Siting Board quickly. Their website information is at the beginning of this article. Even if you gave your opinion before, I would do again since their proposal has changed. is commonly talked about in the mainstream media. I hope the information I give here will at least alert you to the possibility that there may be a problem not far ahead. There are plenty of resources on the internet for ideas on how to save energy. And if you happen to build or remodel, please insulate, insulate, insulate. public in this whole realm… what does that look like then for the community?” said John Burke, Miami University professor. “They alter how people can and should interact in that space,” said White. By altering the public spaces to restrict illegal activity and people sleeping outside, the design sent the message that being homeless is illegal in these public spaces, according to White. “It’s incredibly complex to understand how messy human behavior is in that lack of ability to empathize, and what does it mean to truly empathize with a person?” White asked. Not all interactions with the statues were negative. At the end of the night in Gainesville, FL, a group of men lifted the legs of the woman statue that was kicked to the ground. One put her foot back in its original spot, and another wiped a smudge from her leg. Recording these and all of the interactions with her statues makes a very different statement about the issues surrounding homelessness and space than words spoken at a community council meeting. White’s hope is that these types of “hostile architecture” and artwork continue the conversation in Over-the-Rhine and other cities experiencing urbanization. ------------------------ TESS SOHNGEN (Continued from page 3) they legally have the right to remove you.” An area like this exists in Overthe-Rhine: Washington Park is leased by developer 3CDC, and people do not have the legal rights of the First Amendment (or any Amendment) if 3CDC does not want that person or event to happen on the park. Last month, a rally sponsored by Cincinnati’s Black Lives Matter and the American Indian Movement in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline was limited to a one-hour “information meeting” because they did not have a permit to hold their event at the park. Fountain Square is also owned by 3CDC. Before the city signed over Wash- ington Park to 3CDC for a $1, 99-year lease, men and women experiencing homelessness would sleep inside the woody park. Now, the benches have an armrest in the middle to prevent someone from sleeping on it; many of the old growth trees are gone, and police frequent the area to ensure no one is sleeping overnight under the gazebo. Despite national reports saying homelessness in the cities has declined, the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Cincinnati has not dropped as much as some may hope. “When they closed Washington Park and did away with the toilets in Washington Park, and therefore did away with all the toilets that were THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ �10 LOCAL Farmworkers call for boycott of Wendy’s O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 0 MIKE BROWN F Contributing Writer armworkers have called for a national boycott of Wendy’s, the Columbus-based fast-food chain, until it commits to the Fair Food Program (FFP) to protect the human rights of farmworkers in its supply chain. Tuesday’s rally at the Wendy’s restaurant on Hopple St. in Camp Washington was part of a national campaign of action by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to promote the boycott. The regional portion of the campaign also includes rallies in Louisville, Columbus, Cleveland, and Ann Arbor. The boycott has been endorsed by many faith and community organizations including the National Council of Churches in the USA, which represents 45 million people in more than 100,000 congregations across the country. The CIW emerged from organizing efforts during the mid-1990s of the Mexican, Guatemalan, and Haitian immigrants in Immokalee who faced low wages, workplace violence, verbal and sexual abuse, poor working conditions, wage theft, and, in some cases, slavery. Guided by experiences in their home countries, members of the CIW developed the Fair Food Program, according to Oscar Otzoy, a migrant farmworker and CIW member who was in Cincinnati for the rally. FFP is a partnership among farmworkers, participating growers, and participating buyers--fourteen Citizens boycotting Wendy's Citizens boycotting Wendy's on the Street Credit: Mike Brown major food retailers, including McDonald’s, Burger King, and Walmart. Participating buyers agree to purchase exclusively from participating growers who meet a worker-driven Code of Conduct. They also pay a “penny-per-pound” premium, which is passed down through the supply chain and paid out directly to workers by their employers. To protect their sales, participating growers are motivated to comply with the FFP and to cooperate on audits and complaint resolutions. Wendy’s refuses to join the Fair Food Program, unlike its major competitors in the fast-food industry-McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and Taco Bell--who joined before 2009. After a three-year consumer campaign and a one-year student-led boycott, CIW announced the Wendy’s boycott in March. The announcement cited three key reasons for the boycott. Wendy’s Credit: Mike Brown has shifted its tomato purchases from farms in Florida to Mexico where compliance with labor standards is worse. Wendy’s hides behind public relations messaging to avoid verifiable protection of human rights. And finally, Wendy’s is profiting from the poverty of farmworkers, deriving a cost advantage over its competitors, and encouraging unreputable growers. The purchasing power of large retailers can be used to exert destructive pressure on farmworkers’ wages and working conditions. Alternatively, as in the FFP model, it can be used to improve the plight of farmworkers. The FFP’s binding enforcement model is widely recognized as superior to the voluntary compliances model used by Wendy’s and many other corporations. Wendy’s operates restaurants on many college campuses under contracts with the administration or its food service operator. As part of the student-led boycott called “Boot (Continued on page 11) Now Hiring YWCA- ywcacincinanti.org - Case Manager - Human Resource Director - Shelter Advocate Shelterhouseshelterhousecincy.org - Case Manager - Shelter Director Assistant - Resident Aide - Assistant Shelter Director of Operations Lighthouse Youth Serviceslys.org - Multiple Openings Caracole- caracole.org - Housing Specialist - Social Worker Supervisor - Case Manager Legal Aid Cincinnati- lascinti. org Center for Chemical - Health Advocate/ Project Addictions TreatmentCoordinator ccatsober.org - Equal Justice Works/ AmeriCorps Vista - Case Manager - Patient Aid - Controller - AIM Tech Hamilton County Public HealthLydia’s House- stlydiashouse. hamiltoncountyhealth.org Cincinnati Union Bethel- Pediatric Nurse Case Manager cinunionbethel.org org - Community Support Worker (live in) - Full Time Epidemiologist - Water Quality Technician - Family Service Worker - Teachers - Cook THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CDC Association of Greater Cincinnati- cdcassociation. org - Executive Director Bethany House Servicesbethanyhouseservices.org - Housing Case Manager National Church Residentscareers.ncr.icims.com - Service Coordinator Our Daily Breadourdailybread.us - Dish Washer �LOCAL No. 34 0 | O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM CO-CREATING THE CANCER JUSTICE NETWORK STEVE SUNDERLAND S Contributing Writer tarting this week, a group of about 50 volunteers will launch a new social movement in Cincinnati: The Cancer Navigator. For the past two years, many of us have been working on an idea for changing the cancer mortality rates facing minorities, poor people, the disabled, and the aged. Cincinnati is the cancer capital for Ohio for minorities. Many organizations have come together to think about and now to take action that will bring early cancer exams and timely treatments to a vastly underserved population. The following is what I have learned from the two plus years of organizing, discussing, and helping to set up a network of individuals and agencies that can deliver a new and better cancer service. Lesson 1: Community Organizations are the Engines of Healthcare Change: Once community organizations heard about the rate of cancer death, the 20-year life expectancy difference in neighborhoods, and the absence of education about cancer for populations disadvantaged by race, age, or ableness, they stepped up to agree that something had to be done. Now, cancer education, provided by physicians, 11 navigators, and insurance staff, will visit and share with people just how to fight cancer with an early and timely exam and, if needed, treatment. We will be joining agencies in already created programs for dinners, health fairs, and other events in order to spread the word and to sign people up for appointments for cancer screening and treatment. Community agencies will be seen as they key place for trusting relationships between navigators and the population most in need. Lesson 2: Individuals and Groups are Empowered by the Navigator Role: A new spirit is being created among students seeking professional education and with community organizers, a spirit of compassion and advocacy. Starting this week, 14 first year medical students from UC, 23 students studying to be nurses from Xavier, 12 students from the communications department of UC, 12 students studying to be social workers at UC, and 5 community organizers will come together for 3 days of training to be and become navigators. The enthusiasm of these groups suggest that students going into the professions related to health care understand that justice can be achieved when cancer care offers a road map to exams and treatment for the poor. Our community organizers, no stranger to the underserved or to cancer, will add their expertise to helping to understand how to best walk this journey. Lesson 3: An Exciting Idea is Worth Implementing: The Cancer Justice Network is following the pioneering work of Harold Freeman, MD. Dr. Freeman created the navigator role in the 1990's when he realized, as a surgeon, that people were coming too late for adequate treatment by him. He needed to see cancer patients earlier in order to catch the cancer at its initial stages. His program consisted of hiring community organizers to meet with people and bring them to his hospital in New York City for screening and treatment. In five years, Dr. Freeman reversed the number of people who saw him at the earliest stages. He changed the mortality rate of his community. Now, navigation is required of all cancer programs and hospitals. Dr. Freeman has visited Cincinnati and is a guide to our program. Lesson 4: The Future of Health Care Will Involve Cancer Justice: The agencies and navigators of the Cancer Justice Network realize that a new form of healthcare is being created in Cincinnati. Our organization no longer accepts the trend of cancer deaths for poor, minorities, the aged, and the disabled. Thanks to our Network, and the collaboration of Crossroad Health Center, Cincinnati Health Centers, Cris Collinsworth, ProScan, and Jewish Hospital's Woman's Center, we will open up access to our community in a new and trusted way. Navigators will walk the walk with people, helping to overcome barriers of transportation, finances, insurance, and fear. Cancer will not be as lonely a journey today as it was yesterday and, as Dr. Freeman's success shows, we expect to lower the death rate. For more information about the Cancer Justice Network, please review our website: cancerjusticenetwork.org ------------------------ Do Good. Get Funky. MIKE BROWN (Continued from page 10) the Braids,” the Student Farmworker Alliance is looking to move Wendy’s off campus. A key contest will be the Wendy’s operation located on the Ohio State University campus in Wendy’s hometown of Columbus. [Re-published with permission from Cincinnatians for the American Dream, www.c4ad.wordpress.com http://www.c4ad.wordpress.com. mbrown.c4ad@gmail.com] ------------------------ DEEDY (Continued from page 8) body away without help?" she replies. Borge says she loves the camp's residents, even if some of them are hard-headed and some are addicts. "They good people, some just made wrong choices," she says. Borge estimated that over the last few years the camp has helped over 200 people transition into housing. Not one of them has ended up back on the street, she says. For many others, like Borge, the camp has been their home for so long that they have no desire to enter a house. In fact, homeless isn't a term that Borge likes to use. Instead, they think of the camp's residents as "houseless." "This is my home," Borge says firmly. Courtesy of Spare Change News / INSP.ngo ------------------------ Thanks to our family of sponsors THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �12 LOCAL ey by offering cheap labor? (They didn't even have a place to live!) For all the reasons people may have for sneaking past border security and into the United States illegally, one is for money - and the only reason that can happen is because there are American employers actively seeking the kind of cheap labor only possible when breaking the law. To me, the solution sounds pretty simple: if we want more jobs for United States citizens, we should go after those businesses that illegally hire immigrants. Which presidential candidate, I wondered, had a platform piece on immigration that reflected this obvious solution? It's not Jill Stein. She addresses the issue of deportation through the lens of refugees coming from places like Honduras. That is a real issue, and I think she's right - we need to be compassionate when dealing with certain immigration issues but she simply has nothing to say about those American companies who purposefully recruit undocumented workers so they can underpay them. Gary Johnson, who touts himself as the governor of a former border state, also ignores this reality. He says it needs to be easier to get work-visas, to conduct background checks, and that non-citizens need to pay their taxes. I can't find him staking any position on businesses illegally hiring undocumented immigrants so they can be paid slave wages. It's not Hillary Clinton, either. Her plan focuses on things like protecting families and humane enforcement of laws - all good things but there isn't anything about rogue businesses trying to save a buck by hiring underpaid immigrants from the shadows. Which brings us to Donald Trump, with his crazy talk about impossible walls, Muslim lists, and more bad ideas. Check out this excerpt from his campaign's 10 point plan on immigration: 9. Turn off the jobs and benefits magnet. Many immigrants come to the U.S. illegally in search of jobs, even though federal law prohibits the employment of illegal immigrants. 10. Reform legal immigration to serve the best interests of America and its workers. It pains me to conclude that only Trump, on this particular issue, even acknowledges the root cause. I'm not sure what he means specifically by saying he will "turn off the jobs" magnet, but I can see he doesn't want people coming here to earn low wages from companies playing an end-run around employee pay regulations. I know Trump himself, as a businessperson, did exactly this. That's another issue. I'm just surprised that none of the other candidates even acknowledge what strikes me as a rather straightforward component of immigration reform in our country. with the good and the bad. You hear about targeting certain people. I think that is a true fact, and it has its own history, and it is true history. Let’s say a black man is driving around in an expensive car. He is subject to be pulled over more quickly than a white person, just to give you an example of what it’s like being black in America and it’s unjust. I want to say with all the technology that we have today and when it’s caught on camera, and they still walk, well something is just not right. And to go one step further when the people who make the decision that it was justified when anybody can see that it wasn’t. It makes me think they are in this together, especially when it’s so plain that even a blind man can see. I am going to go out on a limb and say Blacks in America probably feel like they have a reason to believe that police have a license to kill, because 9 times out of 10 they get away with it, and that’s really real talk. Now let me give you my opinion about police in America. I think power is corruption, and most police think their way is law, and that is just not true, especially when you used that power in the wrong way. Here is an example: a police officer approaches you and asks you what or why you are doing this or that, and they don’t want to hear your explanation. It’s like you heard what I said, and that’s the way they think it should be done. Have they forgotten people do have freedom of speech? And I am not saying it’s because it’s in our constitution, but it’s God given to have the power of speech. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that we shouldn’t comply with a police order, but when it comes with abuse and disrespect to a person, I think it will escalate any situation, and that’s real talk. Wouldn’t you think? Show me someone who likes to be talked down to, or is this the way of America? Now that thought just started me to think about something else, but that’s for another article coming to you somewhere soon. I also pray for a speedy recovery to our ex-police chief. May God be with you. I think the media plays a very big part in the escalation of feelings for a couple of reasons. I say this: one, they are not investigators. Let me give you another example, and this has happened to everybody regardless of the color of your skin. Po-Po lights come on, you pull over wondering what you did wrong, or you know what you did wrong. Po-Po approach, and they have their hand on their gun, and ask for license and registration. Now most people have it in their glove compartment. With the way things are going right now, if you reach over and go in your glove The Politics of Immigration JASON HAAP Contributing Writer I remember, years ago, when I needed a new roof on my house. I got a few estimates, and one was markedly cheaper than the others - by a couple thousand dollars. When the crew showed up, the workers were all brown-skinned Spanish speakers. Were they undocumented immigrants, working in our country illegally? That would certainly explain why that particular roofing company was able to offer such an affordable price: they didn't need to pay their workers a legal wage! About 16 years ago, my parents moved into a new house. The street was not completed when they moved in - so there was still a lot of construction. A group of construction workers camped in the backyard of one of the houses. They made campfires, and we could hear them singing songs in Spanish and laughing. Were they, too, undocumented immigrants, saving the construction company tons of mon- Get Real LEE MCCOY Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer C harlotte, NC. The shooting of an unarmed black man and of the people who protested in an orderly way and those who went out in the street to destroy and loot are two different things. But no, America has a tendency to look at it differently. They are black, and that makes them the same. Black America, if that is what you want to call it because personally I don’t see Black America, I see Black in America. And they have been treated differently from day one, and that’s real talk when you talk about history. That is a known fact, and with any race of people you have good and bad, and you know this is real talk, but get real when we talk about all the talking in America by people who are sworn to protect and serve in a lie and it’s a lie that has been going on for too long and swept under the rug. Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying all police officers are bad because in the course of my 64 years in America I have had encounters O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 0 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED [Editor’s note: The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition does not endorse political candidates. The views expressed in this article are the authors.] ------------------------ compartment, you might be making a mistake depending who the police officer is. If it was me, I’d probably tell him I am not going to reach in my glove compartment because you might feel like I have a gun in there. Let’s be real and this is real talk, because I don’t care what the color of your skin is, they might see anything and think it’s a gun. Pow, and you’re dead, end of this article -- think about it. Real talk. ------------------------ �13 STREET VOICE No. 34 0 | O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 ALL HEADS DOWN THE FACT CHECKER MOTHER GOOSE I REMEMBER DAYS WHEN YOU HEARD ALL HEADS DOWN FOR SILENCE Little Bo Peep I 'VE HEARD ALL HEADS DOWN TALKING ABOUT ALL THE Didn't get much sleep VIOLENCE The night of the first debate. TODAY I SEE ALL HEADS DOWN LOOKING AT A TELEPHONE DEVISE She became a nervous wreck, LOOKING DOWN TO TEXT, SOCIAL MEDIA NOT SEEING STEPPING ON MICE When she tried to fact check. LOOKING DOWN AT A DEVICE THAT IF THEY HAPPEN TO DROP The task was just too great. LOOKING DOWN FOR ANSWERS WHY THEIR COMUNICATION HAS STOPPED TECHNOLOGY IS A GOOD THING IN WAYS OF THINGS AND THE WAY WE USE IT BUT TO WALK AROUND HEAD DOWN EARS PLUGGED UP WHY NOT CALL IT ABRUSIVE ALL HEADS DOWN, ALL EARS PLUGGED UP WALKING INTO WALLS AND EVERYONE WHEN AND HOW DO YOU REMEMBER TO LOOK UP AT THE SHINNING WORLD OR THE SUN TO LOOK UP AND SEE PEOPLE UNPLUG EARS TO HEAR HOW THE WORLD IS TURNING I PRAY THAT PEOPLE LOOK UP BEFORE THE ONLY THING THEY'LL SEE IS THEY ARE BURNING A QUESTIONABLE RELATIONSHIP I don't mean to sound so highfalutin, But what goes on with Trump and Putin? Putin is a leader that the Donald admires, While Prez Obama receives Trumpian ire. Does the Russian autocrat seem to tower, Because Trump is a fan of absolute power? LIFE IS MUCH TOO PRECIOUS TO KEEP LOOKING DOWN, WITH EARS PLUGGED AND MISSING LIFE JUST REMEMBER THAT IT'S YOUR LIFE TO BELIEVE IN TECHNOLOGY AND NOT THE STRIFE BILL WOODS Contributing Writer JUST REMEMBER BEFORE THESE DEVISES WERE INVENTD PEOPLE LOOKED FOR PEACE TIME WE AS A PEOPLE NEVER FORGET TECHNOLOGY IS TEMPORARY Time moves faster now AND GODS LOVE WILL NEVER CEASE THANK YOU! Not enough time To take it slow WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer Days move faster Hours feel like seconds Time will, make you ask yourself What about me? What about life? What about time? Time, it doesn’t move slow Just in case, you didn’t know Left, right Right, left What steps will you be taking When your time turns Into seconds Take time to laugh And to pray Time may just be coming your way! KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 0 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 109 Across 1. Passport endorsement 5. Take notice of 9. Bitter quarrel 13. Golf club 14. Notion 15. Pointer 17. Young male horse 18. Grime 19. Tenet 20. Heavy block where hot metals are shaped 22. Prejudice 24. Notable achievement 25. Cereal grass seed 26. Not in use 28. Pastry item 30. Color 31. Animal coat 32. Travel a route regularly 35. Modernize 38. Charter 39. Regret 40. Narrow secluded valley 41. Part of a journey 42. Scintilla 43. On the sheltered side 44. Something intended to deceive 46. Small storeroom for food 48. High-pitched bark 49. Peculiar 50. Pack of cards 51. Append 52. Conceited 53. Small fruit seed 56. Endure 59. Slender 61. Evade 63. Theatrical performer 65. In addition 67. Region 68. Musical instrument 69. Without speed 70. Approach 71. Sketched 72. Rational 73. Small wooded hollow Down 1. Clergyman 2. Satire 3. Figure out 4. Not in favor of 5. Concealed 6. Comestible 7. Spooky 8. Information 9. Craze 10. Wear away 11. Exhort 12. Concave shape 16. Batch 21. Rhythmicity 23. Incite or stimulate 27. Scheduled to arrive 29. Anger 30. Prohibit 31. Mediterranean fruit 32. Poke 33. Stringed instrument 34. Period of time 35. Horrible 36. Supplication 37. Unfathomable 38. Jinx 41. Boy or man 42. Irritate 44. Brick carrier 45. Betting ratio 46. Hawaiian garland 47. Skin condition 50. Sweet dark purple plum 51. Make amends 52. Country house in ancient Rome 53. Food processed in a blender 54. Paragon 55. Sometimes found in an oyster 56. Circuit 57. Turns litmus paper red 58. Celestial body 60. Young girl 62. Bring ashore 64. Angry dispute 66. Be indebted to PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 339 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 108 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 239 - MEDIUM SODOKU PUZZLE NO 238 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 34 0 | O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 381-SAFE 557-2873 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 981-5800 Salvation Army 762-5660 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Shelterhouse 721-0643 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 Parkway Center 784-1853 961-2256 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline CCAT 351-0422 381-6672 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 First Lutheran Church 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry Mercy Franciscan at St. John 562-8841 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 961-4555 381-1954 421-5211 Food/Clothing 271-5501 Starting Over Tom Geiger House Volunteers of America Anna Louise Inn VA VA Homeless Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 221-HELP 721-8666 2401 Reading Road, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-1064 Prospect House 921-1613 Talbert House Tender Mercies 2401-, 2411 Reading Rd, Cinti, Ohio 45202 FreeStore/FoodBank Charlie’s 3/4 House 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 421-0065 241-2600 241-2563 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Mary Magdalen House 771-4800 751-0600 579-8547 721-4811 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 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 Northern Kentucky 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Center for Respite Care 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 $100 Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center for 26 issues 351-3500 977-4489 Other Resources Hamilton/Middletown Health 621-5300 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 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 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 977-6800 859-572-6226 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 535-2719 591-2246 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing Crossroad Health Center St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 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 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 St. Vincent de Paul 661-4620 Cincinnati Health Network 621-6364 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-1983 Our Daily Bread 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Shelter: Both Housing: 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 15 St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 981-4200 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 621-1868 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary 859-491-3335 859-572-6202 $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 O c t 7 - O c t 2 0 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 0 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. 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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 October 7-October 20, 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director Smart Cars, Dumbed-Down Drivers, Fawning Regulators, and Eager Personal-Injury Lawyers Pg 3: Charity White Challenges the Design of Public Spaces with Her Own Design Pg 4: Patricia Garry is recognized for Her Work in Community Development Pg 5: Shantytown Season Kicks Off Pg 6: 3rd Annual Oakley Masquerade Pg 7: Duke’s Revised Pipeline Pg 8: Puuhonua O Waianae Pg 9: Michael Earl Patton Continued Pg 10: Farmworkers Call for Boycott of Wendy’s Pg 11: What I Have Learned from Co-Creating the Cancer Justice Network Pg 12: The Politics of Immigration 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 October 7-October 20, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Robert Park Tess Sohngen Malia Pitts Dr. Mark Mussman Michael Earl Patton Mike Brown Steve Sunderland Jason Haap Lee McCoy Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Bill Woods Tess Sohngen Patricia Garry Mike Brown Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Bill Woods Boycott Dr. Mark Mussman Duke Energy Farmworkers Hawaii immigration Jason Haap Josh Spring Kim Green Lee McCoy Malia Pitts Michael Earl Patton Mike Brown Oakley Masquerade Patricia Garry Protests Puuhonua O Waianae Robert Park Shantytown Steve Sunderland Tess Sohngen Wendys Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/783cf5bf948a7bed5e1673e9bf23b2e5.pdf f5fa963d7814da11c973c73f10518cc6 PDF Text Text October 21st - November 3rd 2016 | Vol. 20 Issue 22 (No. 341) advocating justice | Building community St. Francis Seraph Offering Dignity | 5 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Over-The-Rhine Community Council Votes | 3 Pipeline Grid Vulnerable | 8 Corruption| 11 Un Resolution Passed| 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 From the Director: Ray Tensing Murdered Sam DuBose and Must Be Convicted JOSH SPRING S this trial or any trial or even racist police brutality. This is all about the humanity and intrinsic value of Black People being a part of every aspect of life. In this city and in this country Black People tend to have access to less quality education, low-wage jobs, have a shorter life expectancy, less access to healthy food, are far more likely to be charged with a crime and locked up, are more likely to live in unhealthy housing and experience homelessness, less likely to be elected to political office, less likely to have regular access to decision making… These truths did not just simply happen and are not the result of unintentional or ignorant mistakes on behalf of people or systems. A part of the structure in this land and country is set up to keep Black People oppressed. This has been true for hundreds of years. Those in formal seats of power want to keep their power often by oppressing the power of other people. Capitalists need an oppressed group of people to make profits on theirbacks. This list goes on and on. But this is not how it has to be. I tend to get frustrated when I hear Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the Executive Director am DuBose was a son, father, fiancé, uncle, friend, musician… Ray Tensing, a cop at the time, murdered Sam DuBose. Since then Sam DuBose has joined the list of a growing number of Black People who have become the embodied representation of the actions of a racist government and society. On October 25th the murder trial of Ray Tensing will begin at the Hamilton County Courthouse. We are partnered with Black Lives Matter Cincinnati and other groups in the Countdown to Conviction as we demand that Ray Tensing be convicted of murder. We are under no illusion that a conviction would bring justice to Sam Dubose’s family or the People. However, a conviction is the only right choice in this trial. A conviction would serve as a step forward in the growing march for justice. Historically police officers who have murdered Black People are not convicted of a crime. But that is not how it has to be. Through pounding the pavement with our fists in the air, we have the power to change this. And it is bigger than O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 1 environment, the peace movement, people saying a group of people is fighting for equality. I get frustrated because everyone is equal. No group of people can give or receive equality. No group of people can take equality away from another group. Society and government can and has condemned, criminalized, fought against, disrespected, denied and tried to kill the equality of Black People, but equality cannot be taken away. Equality is intrinsic. When saying a group is fighting for equality who is that group fighting to be equal with or to get equality from? The quick answers that may come to your head might reveal the problem with the question. The demand is that the intrinsic equality of people be a nonthwarted part of daily life. The fight is to completely remove from power the people and policies that do not uphold the inherent value of Black People. Ray Tensing not only is a part of, but also embodies these oppressors and oppressive polices. Ray Tensing must be convicted for the murder of Sam DuBose. spirituality and the struggle ------------------------ Distributor Program Manager: 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 Justin Jeffre Layout: Key Beck Why Trump’s “locker room talk” is reality for many women experiencing homelessness TESS SOHNGEN W Contributing Writer alking home one night from dinner, my boyfriend looked at me and said he didn’t know any of his female friends who had not experienced something like that. These were my friends and my story, too. At my school, one in four female students will experience some type of sexual assault within their four years at Miami University, according to the 2016 Campus Climate survey. One in four. The national average is 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men sexually assaulted while in college, and over 90 percent of these survivors do not report it, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Donald Trump’s “locker room talk” from the 2005 taped conversation reminds me of the crude fraternity banter sitting in the back of a lecture hall or strolling down High Street. But there is an important distinction: the fraternity jabber I’ve heard – no matter how crude – is not inciting or admitting to sexual assault. Donald Trump’s comments are. While universities across the country are under a microscope for the prevalence of sexual assault that occurs on and around campus, there is another group that has suffered through the same storyline of sexual assault: Women who are experiencing homelessness experience significantly higher rates of sexual assault. One study found that 92 percent of mothers who are homeless were victims of severe physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Ninty-two percent. Of that group, 43 percent reported sexual abuse occurring when they were a child, and 63 percent reported intimate partner violence when they were an adult. In fact, women experiencing homeless are twice as likely to become victims of sexual assault in their adult life if they experienced it as children. It is bad enough to experience sexual assault once, but to experience it throughout one’s life or in the context of homelessness is far worse. Their accounts are often more Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Tess Sohngen, Dr. Mark Mussman, Steve Sunderland, Michael Earl Patton, Ricardo Taylor, Willa D. Jones, Bill Woods Photography/Artwork: Tess Sohngen, Dr. Mark Mussman, Michael Earl Patton, Google Images, Key Beck, 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 (Continued on page 4) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED endorse candidates for public office. �3 LOCAL No. 34 1 | O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 Where Is the Walking School Bus? ing any kind of trauma on their way to school, it impacts their capacity to learn,” said Carmen Burks, the program director for the CPS Walking School Bus. The conductors of the Walking School Bus made sure the students came to school and were dressed for whatever weather they would walk through. “The babies came out with no socks, no clothes, no gloves… we walked in ice cold rain, being splashed by traffic,” Jones said. The conductors started bringing gloves, hats and other clothes for those who left the house without them. And when they made it to school, the nurse would dry their clothes while the students ate breakfast. “I was one of those children,” said Teresa Thomas, one of the route coordinators and conductors. Since she was old enough to go to school, Ms. Tomas would walk from 17 Highland Avenue to Peaslee Elementary School. “Our route was one-hour long. We started at 6:30 and we didn’t get to school until 7:20, and school started at 7:30,” she said. “I was one of the oldest children, so I would collect children as we went, and I remember thinking it would be nice to have an adult.” “[CPS Walking School Bus] made a difference at schools because we got there on time and for breakfast,” Jones said. “It does more than just get the students to school. It strengthens communities, and it brings parents… into the fold,” said Carlee Escue Simon, a professor at the University of Cincinnati specializing in Education Policy and Leadership The program began in four school systems during its inception year, and since has grown to eight schools. The principal from Cheviot School called and requested that the program expand to her school. School systems would notify Burks and the conductors for winter delays or closings, which many of the students walking to school would not have otherwise known. “It was really successful,” said Simon. “What resonated with me… Carmen was making a connection with parents that was really new territory.” But this 2016-2017 school year, the CPS Walking School Bus is missing. Since May, the grant funds for the program from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) have been put on hold because Burks was not listed as a CPS employee on the grant. Burks submitted the waiver that NIJ had sent them which would have answered the discrepancy, but the funds are still on hold. The last communication the NIJ had with the program was Aug. 15. “I was walking by, and these girls waved at me and said, ‘Hi, Miss Walking School Bus Lady!’” said Joyce, another CPS Walking School Bus conductor. “My heart broke because next year is here, and we’re not there.” A petition has been growing on Change.org to raise support for the CPS Walking School Bus, but the cold weather is already here. “We are all trusting and believing that we will be up and running,” said Burks. Over-the-Rhine Community Council votes to oppose “Liberty Corner” development Danny Klingler, co-chair of the Over the Rhine Foundation’s Infill Committee, which does not support the “Liberty Corner” project. “I think this project disrespects us… I feel this project is not about what does the community want and respecting Over-the-Rhine as a historic place and a diverse place.” Source 3 developer Michael Heekin came to the meeting to show the community the “Liberty Corner” concept plan. The developer started meeting with the OTRCC in January, wherein the design plan received concern about the height of the building and the loss of Freeport alley among other things. Source 3 changed the design by eliminating the sixth floor and keeping Freeport TESS SOHNGEN T Contributing Writer his morning, approximately 800 children in the Cincinnati area will walk to school. They leave the house by 7:00 a.m. when temperature hangs below 50 degrees and the sun has not yet touched the sky. The rain from Thursday carried through Friday morning, drizzling here and there over the scattered students just trying to make their way to school. Some won’t. They will look out the window and see the rain pouring outside their front door and decide the trip to school isn’t worth it today. Next month, it could be snow. Many will walk, though. They will walk with or without socks and coats, and by the time they get to school, the water will have soaked through their sneakers and maybe even their shirt and backpack. Some of the older students will collect the younger ones as they go, but no adult will accompany them this morning. They will walk through the streets of Cincinnati alone, taking their first of many steps toward becoming an adult before their school day begins. These 800 children -- about 24 percent of the Cincinnati Public School (CPS) students in grades K-8 -- are not picked up by the big yellow school buses because CPS does not provide transportation for students who live within one mile of the school, according to the Cincinnati Public Schools District-Wide Travel Plan from June 2012. Across the country, 15.7 percent of children grades K-8 walk to school in the morning, according to a report from the National Center for Safe Routes to School. In defense for students walking to school is an effort to reduce school spending, to decrease the amount of gas and pollutants from buses and to address the childhood obesity epidemic. However, the safety of these students walking through the city remains a point of concern from parents and administrators. But in 2015, that concern was met by the CPS Walking School Bus, a program through the Allegiance Project. A group of parents and volunteers served as “conductors,” leading groups of children through a safe route to school each morning. Before the students woke up, the conductors checked the routes for safety. Sometimes there would be an accident, so the conductors would have to change the route to avoid it. “Some areas are not lit,” said Judith Jones, a conductor. “It’s unsuitable for children to walk through.” Infamous drug locations, shattered glass from bottles or needles, vacant properties, prostitution and homelessness are among some of the sights students may walk by each morning, Jones listed. “We became their safe house.” “When our kids are experienc- TESS SOHNGEN M Contributing Writer embers of the Overthe-Rhine Community Council (OTRCC) voted to 31-4 to oppose the “Liberty Corner” development plan in a special community meeting, on Oct. 5. The development plan titled “Liberty Corner” at the corner of Liberty St. and Elm St. would be the largest new building Over-theRhine has seen in a century. The OTRCC voted 12-10 to approve the initial design plan by de- veloper Source 3 back in May, conditionally on the developer’s continuing engagement with the community. The special meeting was the first time the developer returned to the community council since that decision. “Tonight we will send a message to our city saying that we’re not okay with this,” said Josh Spring, director of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. The lack of affordable hous- “Breakdown Stereotypes” ing in the 113 new units was the major point of contention community members had with the project, along with the enormity of the building, the privatization of an alley, and the modern style that does not fit the historic district. “We’ve gone through a long process of trying to work with these folks. There are times when we thought it would work out, but at the end of the day, I don’t want this project in my community,” said ------------------------ (Continued on page 4) “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 (513) 421.7803 x14 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 TESS SOHNGEN (Continued from page 3) alley. Heekin said “Liberty Corner” has changed based on the feedback from the community and Historic Conservation Board, and “it will probably be a better project because of it,” despite being a financial loss of the sixth floor. A member of the City Planning Commission met with John Walter, Bob Selhorst and OTRCC president Martha Good to walk them through the concept plan for “Liberty Corner” the week before the special meeting. “I walked away very much in awe of the complexity of it,” said Selhorst, adding that it was very generous of developer Michael Heekin from Source 3 to come to the special meeting to walk through the project with everyone at the meeting. When asked about affordable housing, however, the developer was firm on keeping “Liberty Corner” market rate. “We’re not against affordable housing in any way,” said Heekin. “We saw an area where market rate housing was underserved in this area, and that’s what our group does. We’re market rate… so maybe it’s our inexperience of it that made us not go in that direction.” The prices for the apartment units will range between $900 $1,300 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment, said Heekin. He cited the 2015 Housing Inventory from the Community Building Institute at Xavier University as evidence for the lack of market rate housing in the community because affordable units made up the largest percentage of the housing in Over-the-Rhine. At a glance, the study does support Heekin’s claim and states that the neighborhood has a “balanced housing stock,” meaning there is representation by people who can afford only 30 percent of the income for rent and those who can afford over market-rate prices. What they study also shows, requiring a closer look, is that the number of units of afford- TESS SOHNGEN (Continued from page 2) violent and to physical challenges on that come traumatic, leading and psychological top of the obstacles with experiencing homelessness. The biggest obstacle is the lack of access to help -- to support groups, medical facilities, mental health professionals, and more – which leaves these women alone to deal with their assault. Experiencing homelessness is not a cause of sexual assault, but it does place women at a far greater risk than women who are not homeless. They do not have the safety of four walls and roof over their head, and if they do, the crowded shelter houses are not the supportive environment sexual assault survivors need to heal. Furthermore, many of these women LOCAL able housing have decreased by over 2,300 units. “When you look at just those percentages of what currently exists in the neighborhood, it drastically skews an understanding of what is happening. So in one snapshot, you can’t see the rapid rate of loss at the bottom of that scale and the rapid rate of growth in what’s in the pipe- O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 1 ers who purchased this land.” Arens and others disagreed, saying that developer Source 3 can and should include affordable units in their design. “If we do not ask for some creation of affordability tagged on others that are one-hundred units, this community will lose that affordable housing,” said Arens. “The idea that affordable hous- the monthly meeting on Sept. 26. Before the meeting for “Liberty Corner,” Good sent an email to the membership detailing the support the development had already received from the Historic Conservation Board and the Cincinnati Planning Commission (CPC). “Our board president has been telling us that we don’t have power,” Over-the-Rhine Community Council Votes on Librty Corner Project Photo Credit: Tess Sohngen line,” said Jenn Arens, who works at Peaslee Neighborhood Center. “Cincinnati, our city, has failed because they have nothing for us,” said Over-the-Rhine resident Dorothy Darden. “That’s a huge project… and it should have something for some people that have worked and lived there… You can’t have a solid city without all the people.” While everyone in the room seemed to agree that the lack of affordable housing is an issue in the community, the debate centered around who was responsible for creating and maintaining affordable housing since Cincinnati has no mandate for it for infill construction. “We have a problem in our city with affordable housing,” said David Macejko. “But that doesn’t fall on the shoulders of people like myself who are building a home or the develop- ing is not a necessity or that it is not the responsibility of the developer is completely irresponsible and absurd because in our city and probably twenty percent of our public school district this year will experience homelessness,” said Spring. “We don’t have time to wait. The fifty-six people who died last year didn’t have time to wait.” Spring called for the special meeting for “Liberty Corner” during the last OTRCC meeting on Sept. 26, but the motion was nearly denied because discussion of the development plan was not on the agenda. After adding the plan to the agenda, the council later voted to hold a meeting about “Liberty Corner” wherein they would vote to support the new concept plan or not. OTRCC president Martha Good was not at the special meeting nor said Spring. “The board president should be seeking as much power as she can for us.” Despite the outcome from the OTRCC special meeting, the decision does not halt the progress toward city approval “Liberty Corner” has already made. The Historic Conservation Board approved the concept plan for “Liberty Corner” on Sept. 26, so the next board that must give Source 3 its approval is the City Planning Commission. The date for that hearing has not yet been determined. “This is our neighborhood. I think we have a say in what happens with such a massive project, on everything from the diversity in the neighborhood, gentrification issues, and the historic fabric of our neighborhood,” said Klingler. have to participate in activities like panhandling (asking for money) and prostitution in order to make an income where job opportunities are limited or nonexistent. Women experiencing homelessness might not be the type of women Donald Trump referred to in the 2005 tape, but these women are nonetheless the most important to consider because they experience sexual assault more than other groups. Their perpetrators were listening to Trump’s comments that dismissed the sexual assault remarks as “locker room talk” rather than a crime. Women experiencing homelessness heard the remarks that brushed off their experiences as just something that happens. My colleagues and I heard the remarks that normalized the experience of women in every city and on every campus in America – experiences that should not happen. To be clear, Trump’s comments did not incite sexual assault, but I believe it does something far more dangerous: his comments de-legitimize the seriousness of sexual assault and reinforces why women who experience assault often shy away from calling their experience assault. By brushing off his comments as “locker room talk”, Donald Trump is essentially giving a free pass for people to talk about sexual assault as anything other than a crime. Women experiencing homelessness play an important role in the narrative around sexual assault. Just as the issue of sexual assault has been made to be invisible, so have these women. If our community wants to address the unseemly comments by Trump and the greater issue of sexual assault, we must make the voices of these women visible. We all play a role in ending the narrative around sexual assault: women, men, community members, and political figures. It is time we start holding ourselves accountable for addressing and ending sexual assault in our community and all communities. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ See:http://www.vawnet. org/applied-research-papers/ print-document.php?doc_id=558 for more information about sexual violence toward women experiencing homelessness. ------------------------ �5 LOCAL No. 34 1 | O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 St. Francis Seraph: Offering Dignity One Service at a Time DR. MARK MUSSMAN T Staff Writer ry putting yourself in someone else’s shoes for a few moments. If you were on the street, do you know where you would get a shower? Do you know where you would get a hot meal in the chilly weather? How about a change of clothes, or even a haircut? Imagine if you had no selfesteem because people won’t look you in the eye on the sidewalk. People ignore you when you ask them for help. You get door after door closed in your face. How would you manage to wake up each day and put your best foot forward? Something is changing in Overthe-Rhine, and this time it’s good. Several service organizations are southern portion of the neighborhood, St. Francis Seraph is a beacon on the edge of the next wave. The church started over 160 years ago on a plot of land that used to be a cemetery. Back then, Catholics were blocked from building in the city, so they found a plot of land on the edge of town, where Liberty Street is now. When they raised enough to build the church, the cemetery was dug up and the bodies exhumed to Spring Grove Cemetery; however, several families couldn’t cover the cost, so their bodies still remain the crypt underneath the church’s alter. With the recent acquisition of the St. Anthony Messenger building on Liberty Street, St. Francis Ser- Design Plans on Display During Open House Photo Credit: Key Beck to move laundry up and down the stairs, the basement lacks ventilation from the dryers, so the temperatures soar, and the lack of showers for women, create a difficult working environment. (Currently, women use the single accessible shower in an ad hoc manner because it is separate from the men’s showers.) Many of us were worried that the Shower House would close its doors Project Supporters Meet in Courtyard During Open House Photo Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman building a new home in the neighborhood while expanding some of their services as well. Last year, I held the last class at Mercy St. John at Findlay Market when we wrapped up our Creative App Project. For many years, Mercy St. John ran a sandwich window, offered classes to help bridge people from their education to work, gave people an opportunity to get medical treatment, and more. When Mercy St. John closed one of their tenants, Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart, also lost their home. A place where you can get a haircut for the cost of a good story or a can collection, Haircuts from the Heart is a place where people’s self esteem can be raised without bounds, and it has found a new home. St. Francis Seraph is becoming a cornerstone for dignity in Over-theRhine. As most social service agencies have been gentrified out of the aph’s leadership and members saw an opportunity to bring a food pantry to the area. Getting through the city’s red tape has been a struggle, but a collectivist movement to enhance the services is ushering a new era for the church – and many social service agencies like Haircuts from the Heart, the Center for Respite Care, Sweet Cheeks Diapers, and even TriHealth, who will be bringing medical services to the neighborhood, effectively picking up where Mercy left off. One of the most important services in the neighborhood continues to be the Mary Magdalen House, which provides showers and laundry service to hundreds of people each week. The family trust that runs the Shower House (as locals call it) saw the limitations of their current space on Main Street – it’s vertical layout makes it difficult for the workers for good. The family trust listened and vowed to keep the services open and they began a search for a new space. This is where St. Francis Seraph Ministries’ leadership, headed by Chris Schuermann, was able to bring a new vision for the St. Anthony Messenger Building to the table. At the Open House this week, the vision was articulated through floor plans, images, and a moving video – but the most impressive thing at the Open House was the palatable positive energy from the various agencies and individuals who only want to see a successful space being built for these organizations to call home. I have no doubt that this will be a beautiful multi-million-dollar transition to positively affect thousands of people who have been discarded by the “progress” in our city. When most people in our city live below the poverty line, when upward mobility is limited by your skin color, when educational opportunity is dictated by your zip code, it is only through organizations like St. Francis Seraph that we are able to humanely treat people and not ostracize them due to their circumstances. There are some concerns about the designs that may or may not be consequential. We saw issues of NIMBYism when CityLink was built in the West End – but I don’t imagine that will happen here because of Informational Video at Open House Photo Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED (Continued on page 7) �6 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 1 �LOCAL 7 No. 34 1 | O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 THE BALL OF JUSTICE IS ROLLING INTO CANCER HEALTH STEVE SUNDERLAND Contributing Writer For the past two years we have been pushing the ball of justice uphill for cancer justice. Giving poor people, minorities, disabled, and aged persons’ access to cancer care has been our major goal since we learned that this Cincinnati population has the highest cancer mortality in Ohio. We have built a cancer prevention organization of agencies that serve the poor and, gaining their permission, have formed a Cancer Justice Network. Included in were agencies and individuals that wanted to partner with us in providing primary care physicians, sites for free screening for cancer, assistance in obtaining insurance, cooperation in developing low cost transportation options to health meetings, and, last and most important, patient navigators to accompany people on every step of gaining access. We have volunteer navigators from the first year medical student class at UC; nursing students from Xavier University, communications students from UC, community navigators drawn from the aged population of social action agencies, and one graduate of the Harold Freeman Patient Navigation Training Program who is also a new social work faculty member at UC. (Go to the website to find out more information: cancerjusticenetwork. org) October 4, 2016 the ball moved: six navigators, two representatives of Crossroad Health Center, a physician, and the staff of the Cancer Justice Network were welcomed to the weekly dinner for the poor offered by Christ Church Cathedral. Here is how it happened: We arrived at 4:30pm to meet Christ Church Cathedral's coordinator, Pat Coyle. He led us into the church's library so that we could review which of the six navigators would go to tables where 8 people waited to be called DR. MARK MUSSMAN building’s design, but mitigating that entrance issue is something I will be keeping my eye on in the future. Overall, the project is a blessing for the neighborhood which guarantees the continued operations of vital services in Over-the-Rhine. The corporate vision of Main Street as a business and bar district will get a boost from the last social service agencies departure when the Shower House moves, which I am sure some developers are ready to jump on. Perhaps there will be a shower-themed bar there, complete with fountains and fish tanks. If you are keeping score, there are only a few local social service agencies left in the southern part of Over-the-Rhine (including the Contact Center, Tender Mercies, and Over-the-Rhine Community Housing) which need our continued support. If you are interested in learning more about this history, please sign (Continued from page 5) St. Francis Seraph’s strong reputation in the neighborhood and city. But consolidation of services has its drawbacks – sweeping the problems of poverty, displacement, shame, into one spot where it’s “acceptable” and then criminalizing people outside of the boundary who are byproducts of our unresolved social issues. For this specific building, the entrance is on tiny Republic Street, out of sight from the main road, and is heavily focused on security, which assumes that people who are suffering are dangerous. The reality is that people who live in poverty are more likely to be victims of crime, not perpetrators. We must be vigilant to not criminalize people who are suffering, which I know is not the intention of the project, but is something that needs to be kept in mind. This may just be due to the for dinner. We learned that each navigator would have 4 tables to talk with about cancer prevention. We distributed binders and cancer education, papers, and stickers saying, "I Care About Cancer." At 5pm people were coming into the large room of the church, the Undercroft, and signing in and sitting at one of 24 tables. After a few minutes, most of the 216 people were seated or getting a drink of water, coffee, lemonade and meeting new and old friends. Nemat Moussavian, MD, medical director of the CJN, was introduced and a hush greeted him as he began to discuss the definition of cancer and why it was important to get an early screening. The room was quiet and attentive. Steve Sunderland, PhD, director of the Cancer Justice Network, followed with a short definition of navigation as an act of friendship, introduced the navigators (Pat Murray, Pat Youngblood, Sue Wilke, Anjanette Wells, PhD, MSW, Allison Valentine-Love, Barbette Thompson) and supported the point that we were present to encourage everyone to get an exam. Jordan Oberdorfer and Lee Ann Russ, from Crossroad Health Center, were sitting off to the side at a table. They were prepared to sign people up for exams, primary care providers, and cancer discussions. The six navigators were seated at different tables throughout the room, some joining their group as they went up to get a dinner, others meeting with people as they waited to be called. As people were going to the dinner line, Dr. Moussavian moved throughout the room, stopping at each table and discussing cancer, answering questions, and providing support. People, accompanied by navigators, began coming to Jordan and Lee Ann and registering for exams. This was the flow for about an hour. The dinner ended a little after 6pm with some latecomers being seated and getting a dinner. The navigators continued to bring people to Jordan and Lee Ann and this connecting continued for the next half hour. The navigators, the CJN team of Nemat Moussavian, MD, Robert Harris, DD and Steve Sunderland, PhD, along with church staff, Pat Coyle, MSW, and Frank McWilliams, MD, adjourned to a room to discuss their experience. We were joined at a little after 6:30 by up for an educational and enlightening Social Justice Walking Tour on our website: http://www.cincihomeless.org (Continued on page 11) ------------------------ Xavier Students interact with the fish Photo Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Xavier Students visit the Crypt Photo Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Bubs gives CUE students a tour Photo Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman �8 WORLD Bolt cutters expose vulnerability of North America's oil pipeline grid LIZ HAMPTON AND ETHAN LOU A ll it took was a pair of bolt cutters and the elbow grease of a few climate activists to carry out an audacious act of sabotage on North America's massive oil and gas pipeline system. For an industry increasingly reliant on gadgets such as digital sensors, infrared cameras and drones to monitor security and check for leaks, the sabotage illustrated how vulnerable pipelines are to low-tech attacks. On Tuesday, climate activists broke through fences and cut locks and chains simultaneously in several states and simply turned the pipelines off. All they had to do was twist shut giant valves on five cross-border pipelines that together can send 2.8 million barrels a day of crude to the United States from Canada - equal to about 15% of daily U.S. consumption. The activists did no damage to the pipelines, which operating companies shut down as a precaution for checks before restarting. The United States is the world's largest energy market, and the infrastructure to drill, refine, store and deliver that energy to consumers is connected by millions of miles of pipeline that are impossible to protect entirely from attack. You're not manning these things on a permanent basis. It's not viable," said Stewart Dewar, a project manager at Senstar, an Ottawa-based company that authored a 2012 white paper on pipeline security. "It's too expensive." There are more than 200,000 miles (322,000 km) of oil lines and many times that of natural gas lines across the United States. Thousands of rural and often remote pumping and valve stations dot the country. The cost of posting armed guards at valve stations, usually found every 20 miles along the underground pipelines, would be prohibitive, said Dewar. For companies, there are few options to police the parts of their pipeline networks that sit above ground, such as the valve stations. The stations are usually protected by nothing more than the same flimsy chain link fence and padlocks elementary schools use to protect their playgrounds. Global Problem The same vulnerabilities are present worldwide. In Nigeria and conflict zones such as Iraq, pipelines have been targeted by militants. In Mexico, thieves target the fuel arteries to siphon off fuel. Courtesy of Reuterss / INSP.ngo But until Tuesday, environmental activists had never carried out a simultaneous, coordinated attack of this magnitude. Tuesday's action, supported by the Vermont-based Climate Dis- Either way, pipeline specialists said it was lucky there were no leaks on Tuesday. Once the valves are shut, pressure can quickly build up inside pipelines that operate under as much as 1,000 pounds (450 kg) O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 1 Security Administration, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has asked pipeline companies to carry out a "security vulnerability assessment" for their assets and to conduct risk assessments that include the "likelihood of a success of an attack," and to take steps to mitigate those risks. A review published by the DHS in 2015 identified physical and cyber security as a risk to energy infrastructure systems, including the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters square off against police near the Standing Rock Reservation and the pipeline route outside the little town of Saint Anthony, North Dakota, U.S. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Terray Sylvester obedience Action Fund, was held to draw attention to climate change and to support opponents of the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline, which critics say could rupture and sour drinking water for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. Several pipeline operators and safety experts said shutting off valves was extremely dangerous and that activists underestimated the risks. Pipelines can be heavily pressurized depending on length and altitude variation, and shutting off a valve could cause ruptures that are "catastrophic" for the environment, Paul Tullis of Tullis Engineering Consultants said. "It's like a freight train," he said of the momentum with which the oil moves. "If these people are hydraulic engineers, they might be able to do this safely." Activists often do not fully know what they are doing, even if they think they do, Tullis said. Protesters said they spent months studying how to safely shut the valves. The ability for them to access the proprietary information necessary to shut a line safely was questioned by experts. per square inch. Protesters were taking a chance that a weak spot in a line would not explode, and that employees in operations hubs would spring into action after hearing alarms. "On the wrong pipeline, in the wrong place (actions like this) could kill people. This is hazardous hot liquid. It's not something to be terrified of, but it must be respected," said Richard Kuprewicz, president of Accufacts Inc, a pipeline advisory firm. Security Ramp-Up After 9/11 After the tampering, owners Enbridge Inc, TransCanada Corp, Spectra Energy and Kinder Morgan shut their lines as a precaution. They did not immediately respond to questions about their broader security precautions, though some of them emphasized having multiple safety systems in place. The general vulnerability of U.S. infrastructure - from bridges to power plants and ports - became more apparent after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Since then, the U.S. Transportation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED threat of multiple, coordinated attacks and electromagnetic pulse events, but focused primarily on threats to the electrical grid. Security experts said they have tried to strike a balance between protecting facilities, ensuring freedom of movement and keeping costs in check. The Association of Oil Pipe Lines, an industry group, said it recognized disagreements exist about energy policy, but that the protest went too far. Previous valve closures have caused spills, including one of nearly 4,000 barrels of oil, the group said. "We don't want anyone to get hurt or cause a release into the environment," said Andrew Black, the group's president. (Reporting by Liz Hampton in Houston and Ethan Lou in New York; Additional reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar and Jessica Resnick-Ault; Writing by Terry Wade; Editing by Simon Webb and Bill Rigby) ------------------------ �WORLD No. 34 1 | O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 UN resolution on journalist safety passed, but a long way still to go THARANGA YAKUPITIYAGE Courtesy of Inter Press Service / INSP.ngo The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) advanced its commitment to the safety of journalists after adopting a groundbreaking resolution with measures for states to ensure journalist protection. But this is only the first step. Though the UNHRC has adopted resolutions on the safety of journalists in the past, some note that this year's resolution is more comprehensive in protecting the rights of freedom of expression and the press. "[The resolution] brings up these issues more explicitly than it has been brought up in other resolutions," Committee to Protect Journalists' (CPJ) Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch told IPS. She stressed that the resolution acknowledges the role that states play in committing violence against journalists and in creating a permissive environment for the safety of journalists. "It is not simply enough to talk about the safety of journalist without also addressing the need to create an environment in which freedom of expression and press freedom can flourish," she stated. Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) Advocacy and Communications Officer Margaux Ewen echoed similar sentiments to IPS, noting that the resolution is a "wonderful reiteration" which calls on member states to implement their international obligations. For the first time, UNHRC called for states to release arbitrarily detained journalists and to reform laws that are misused to hinder their work. According to CPJ, approximately 200 journalists were imprisoned worldwide in 2015. The organisation recorded the highest number of such arrests in China, where 49 journalists were imprisoned. Most recently, Chinese journalists Lu Yuyu and Li Tingyu were detained in June 2016 on suspicion of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble." They had been documenting and reporting on protests across the East Asian nation since 2012. China is among the members of UNHRC. The newly adopted resolution also affirms the right of journalists to use encryption and anonymity tools. Journalists often rely on such mechanisms to safely impart information anonymously online. They are also used to encrypt their communications in order to protect their contacts and sources. Radsch noted that these tools are essential for journalists "to do 9 their job in the 21st century." The resolution also addresses the specific risks that women journalists face in their work, condemning all gender-based attacks. Earlier in September, freelance journalist Gretchen Malalad and Al Jazeera Correspondent Jamela Alindogan-Caudron were subject to severe social media attacks, receiving threats of rape and death due to their coverage of the Philippine government's controversial anti-drug war. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NJUP) Ryan Rosauro expressed his dismay of the state of journalism in the country, stating: "We will never take any threats, whether of physical harm or to silence us, lightly for we have lost far too many of our colleagues and hardly seen justice for them," he said. In a joint statement with NJUP, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) stated that the government must take social media threats to journalists seriously and should penalise perpetrators to ensure the safety of journalists. In their 2016 World Press Freedom Index, RSF ranked the Philippines 138th out of 180 countries in press freedom making it one of the most dangerous countries for practicing journalists. As in previous years, the UNHRC also highlighted the need to end violence against journalists and to combat impunity for attacks. CPJ found that over 1,200 journalists have been killed since 1992, the majority of whom were murdered with complete impunity. Other organisations speculate that the numbers are higher, with IFJ reporting that at least 2,300 journalists and media staff have been killed since 1990. In 2009, prominent Sri Lankan journalist and editor Lasantha Wickramatunga was beaten to death after his car was pulled over by eight helmeted men on motorcycles. Often critical of the government and its conduct in the country's civil war, the editor had been attacked before and received death threats for months prior to his death. He even anticipated his own fate, writing an essay shortly before his death about free media in the South Asian nation. "In the course of the past few years, the independent media have increasingly come under attack. Electronic and print-media institutions have been burnt, bombed, sealed and coerced. Countless journalists have been harassed, threatened and killed. It has been my honour to belong to all those categories and now especially the last," Wickramatunga wrote. Most recently, Jordanian journalist Nahed Hattar was shot dead while on his way to face charges for sharing a cartoon deemed offensive to Islam. "The killing of Mr. Hattar is appalling, and it is unacceptable that no protection measures had been put in place to ensure his safety, particularly when the threats against him were well known to the authorities," said UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye. Kaye urged authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice and to ensure legislation that allows a culture of diverse expression. However, both Radsch and Ewen noted that the resolution is only the first step as it must be translated to action on the ground. "We continue to see the failure of states to adequate investigate the murders of journalists…so while resolutions are important, we need to see actual concrete actions to accompany these normative statements," Radsch told IPS. Ewen stated that UN resolutions are "strong and strongly worded" but it still remains to be seen for states to implement measures to protect journalists and the right of freedom of expression. She pointed to RSF's campaign to create a Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General for the safety of journalists as a way to ensure states comply with their international obligations. Led by RSF, the Protect Journalists campaign has brought together over a 100 media organisations and human rights organisations including CPJ, the Guardian and the United Nations Correspondents Association to push for the establishment of a special representative. During a press conference, RSF Secretary General Christophe Deloire noted that a special representative could act as an early warning and rapid response mechanism to give journalists, when threatened, access to authorities and protective measures as laid out in the resolution. He also added that a special (Continued on page 11) Kashmiri journalists at a rare protest against a government clampdown on freedom of expression in 2012 Photo Credit: Athar Parvaiz/IPS THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �10 LOCAL O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 1 Peaslee Presents Annual Dinner, Silent Auction and Awards Thursday, November 10, 2016 Bell Event Centre 444 Reading Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Cocktail Hour 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Program 7:30 p.m. Awardees: William Watson Dedicated Grandparent of Piano Program Miami University Center for Community Engagement in Over-the-Rhine Dorothy Darden Over-the-Rhine Resident and Activist Special Thanks to Our Presenting Sponsors: First Financial Bank • SC Ministry Foundation • Mercy Health To purchase tickets: Visit www.PeasleePresents2016.eventbrite.com For more information contact Patricia Richter at (513) 621.5514. Now Hiring YWCA- ywcacincinanti.org Case Management Coordinator Human Resource Director Shelter Advocate Social Worker Supervisor Legal Aid Cincinnati- lascinti. Case Manager org Health Advocate/ Project Center for Chemical Coordinator Addictions TreatmentParalegal Staff Attorney ccatsober.org ShelterhouseNurse shelterhousecincy.org Hamilton County Resident Aide- Winter Aide Public HealthCincinnati Union Bethelhamiltoncountyhealth.org cinunionbethel.org Lydia’s House- stlydiashouse. Pediatric Nurse Case Family Service Worker org Manager Teachers/Assistant Teacher Community Support Worker Full Time Epidemiologist Cook (live in) Septic System Inspector Health Educator CDC Association of Greater Lighthouse Youth ServicesCincinnati- cdcassociation. lys.org Caracole- caracole.org org Multiple Openings Housing Specialist Executive Director THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Bethany House Servicesbethanyhouseservices.org Housing Case Manager National Church Residentscareers.ncr.icims.com Service Coordinator Our Daily Breadourdailybread.us Dish Washer Upspring- upspring.org Program Coordinator �LOCAL No. 34 1 | O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 Corruption MICHAEL EARL PATTON A Contributing Writer 11 exaggerated. The majority of Americans probably at first accepted the official stories of the assassinations of President John Kennedy in November 1963, that of Martin Luther King in April 1968, and of Robert Kennedy in June 1968. But since then doubts have grown, especially of the killing of President Kennedy. There are too many unexplained circumstances, such as the sudden deaths of witnesses, and the sealing of some records even to today, to be comfortable with the official story that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman and plotter. Similarly there were suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Kennedy and some evidence disappeared. As for the death of Martin Luther King, his own family did not believe that James Earl Ray killed Dr. King. Ray, who died in prison, was never granted a trial. He initially pled guilty but then was not allowed to change his plea. Many documents relating to the supposed guilt of Ray are still sealed. It is hard to see why records remain sealed concerning these assassinations after nearly 50 years, or even longer in the case of President Kennedy. Importantly, Dr. King was one of the targets of the F.B.I.’s COINTELPRO program (1956 – 1968?). The director of the Bureau, J. Edgar Hoover, used this program to plant disinformation in the media about people and groups whose influence on the public he wanted to diminish. Even the actress Jean Seberg (The Mouse That Roared) was a target of this program. The Savings and Loan Crisis from about 1986 to 1995 was brought about by high inflation, lax oversight partly due to deregulation, and fraud by the people who ran the institutions. They made risky loans, did insider deals, and used fraudulent accounting to try to cover up problems. During that time almost a third of the 3,234 federally-insured savings and loans failed. Cincinnati’s own Home State Savings Bank was a state-, not federally-insured institution, and its failure was one of the first, in 1985. Other major failures during that time were Silverado Savings and Loan in 1988, Lincoln Savings and Loan in 1989, and Midwest Savings and Loan in 1990. Neil Bush, son of President George H.W. Bush, was implicated in the collapse of Silverado. Significant for its contrast to the later 2008 financial meltdown, over 1,000 bankers were convicted of fraud and sent to prison, including Home State’s Marvin Warner (but not Neil Bush). The Iran-Contra Affair (1985 to 1987, perhaps later) began as an attempt to free American hostages being held by an Islamic group in Lebanon. The United States agreed to have arms shipped from Israel to Iran, which was against the law, and in return Iran would do its best effort to have the hostages released. The U.S. would later replace the weapons that Israel shipped. This initial plan morphed into a scheme to use some of the profits to fund U.S. backed insurgents (“contras”) against the Nicaraguan government – which was very illegal. There is evidence that this scheme metastasized into an operation where cocaine was smuggled into the United States. An airfield at Mena, Arkansas, is said to have been the main point of entry. Some of the profits from the sale of cocaine were then to be sent back to the insurgents. The 2008 Financial Crisis was brought about by high defaults on subprime mortgages, which had been bundled and sold as AAA-safe securities by several major Wall Street companies that knew they were peddling junk. Besides outright ccording to a 2015 survey by Chapman University published recently in Bloomberg BusinessWeek, the #1 fear of Americans is not cyberterrorism (#2), terrorist attacks (#4), economic collapse (#8), gun control (#11), war (#12), or even Obamacare (#13). It is corruption. This may be surprising because corruption receives much less attention in the media than other items on the fear list. Yet it goes hand-in-hand with the results of polling released last year by the Pew Research Center on the declining trust in government. Last year fewer than 1 in 5 Americans – just 19% -said they trusted government. Fifty years before about 3 in 4 Americans said they trusted government. The last time it was above 50% was during the George W. Bush administration, shortly after 9/11. Clearly the lack of trust is something that has been developing for far longer than the current presidential campaign. I want to look back at what may have contributed to the decline and close with a few words as to how serious this is. Corruption and the lack of trust in government are intertwined. The same Pew research that showed trust in government to be so low also showed that relatively few people (24%) say their elected officials put the good of the country ahead of their own personal interests. A whopping 74% thought that elected officials put the good of our country second. There are similar low percentages for honesty. Interestingly, most Americans think their elected officials are intelligent – just not trustworthy. Although Pew Research shows that business leaders are considered to be more trustworthy than elected officials, they are less trustworthy than the average American. I will not restrict my look-back at just elected officials but also include some business scandals. And where government has the responsibility of enforcing laws, it is often the case that corruption in business is able to continue only because those officials who could stop it chose not to. My goal is to look back – to recall what may be forming our opinion but is not brought to mind without prompting – so I will not cover recent stories which are already receiving plenty of attention. The surveys on trust go back to 1958. The high point in trust was in 1964, during the first year of the Johnson administration and when he escalated our involvement in the Vietnam War following the supposed Gulf of Tonkin Incident. This was a claimed attack by North Vietnamese torpedo boats on two of our destroyers on August 4. We now know no such attack took place. However, this was used as justification to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave President Johnson full authority to expand the war and send ground troops. After initially denying he would, within a few months he did send the ground troops. The war itself was a disaster for American and allied forces, and although at first the Johnson administration was optimistic about success the war dragged on for years. In the end over 58,000 American soldiers died by the time South Vietnam fell in 1975, after our forces were withdrawn. It was clear that whatever success we did have in the conflict had been greatly STEVE SUNDERLAND Some people had physicians and some had insurance. The navigators reported that they liked having four tables of people to discuss cancer. Everyone could be talked with about whether they understood cancer and general health issues. The key issue that emerged was follow-up. Dr. Moussavian expressed his belief that a momentum was created, a trust established, and an expectation for continued connection. For some people continuing to connect would be difficult since they didn't have phones, although some lived near Crossroad and could stop in. The navigators did get phone numbers of everyone they met with who wanted an exam. Following up, keeping the appointments at Crossroad, and assisting people with any barriers to taking action, were all seen as vital next steps. Pat Coyle asked: "Should we wait before coming back next week?" The overwhelming response was to return next week and build on the successful relationships established. We agreed to reflect a day on these points and then make a decision. Overall, it was a deeply moving experience for both the people, the church, and the navigation effort. Our goal of linking low income people to cancer prevention and screening access was begun with gusto. The community worked with us and we responded in kind. The dinner was a perfect environment to share not only good food, but the spirit of friendship in facing cancer. The journey has begun! We will return to Christ Church Cathedral on October 11 for another sharing with the expected 200 people. We do expect to see some of the same people and we will want to find out if people made their appointments for screening and/ or whether they will need further support. Most importantly, the good will of Christ Church Cathedral has now permitted a foundation for cancer education and prevention to both exist and be a key part of what we mean by justice. We will find out, in time, just how many people, going to an exam, found their cancer soon enough for effective treatment. And, also important, how many people learned that they are cancer free. Access to high quality treatment, good food, spiritual support, and good discussions are now a critical part of the health of the city. "Every week, there are new names on new graves in journalist cemeteries…we cannot let anymore journalists be killed because of this lack of political will," Deloire told press. The 47-member state council adopted the resolution on the safety of journalists by consensus, expressing a deep concern for the increased number of journalists and media workers who have been killed, tor- tured and detained. Nations beyond the UNHRC including Austria and the United States also joined the initiative as co-sponsors. (Continued from page 7) Jordan and Lee Ann. We heard that 19 people had signed up and we were thrilled to hear this news. Overall, the navigators and the Crossroad staff had a very positive experience: building rapport, a trusting relationship didn't seem difficult as the people were open to meeting the navigators and seemed, in some cases, eager to engage in discussions about their health. People seemed to be in 3 groups, Anjanette Wells suggested: 1) people who didn't want to talk; 2) people who wanted to think more about whether they wanted to have an exam; and, 3) people who were interested and wanted an exam. We heard from the navigators that people shared their family histories about cancer and other health issues. THARANGA YAKUPITIYAGE (Continued from page 9) representative with political weight can make sure the safety of journalists is integrated in all UN programs and operations. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED (Continued on page 12) ------------------------ ------------------------ �12 LOCAL O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 1 STREET LIFE: ACTUALIZATION RICARDO TAYLOR Contributing Writer S craping from the bottom of a barrel will not afford you the cream from the top! Most often, what you work/strive for is what you will end-up with. In so saying I am not giving judgment of individuals or their hustle, yet, for me the obvious, is that one must put forth the effort for what they desire. ‘If you don’t work, you don’t eat! Honesty, the fore runner of success, often becomes a hurdle for those who feel they have entitlement - this entitlement is blinded to the reality that entitlements only come with a projected effort and honesty - the absurdity, is in the fact that this type of thinking mars the truth that you have to do what you need to do instead of what you may want to do! The idea that you are owed something without having to earn it is erratic thinking. Nothing in life is free! You have to work for it in order to realize the benefits of your efforts! ‘No work, no pay one might say!’ The concept of actualization is grounded in one’s own efforts, in MICHAEL EARL PATTON (Continued from page 11) fraud, there were wide-spread failures in financial regulation. This includes the repeal of the Glass-Steagall act in 1999, which then allowed them to risk depositor’s money with speculative investments. Apparently nothing was learned from the earlier Savings and Loan Crisis (see above). One big difference was that far fewer bankers went to prison – only a few dozen. In most cases the offending institutions just paid a large fine and they, and their executives, were allowed to continue doing business. This is admittedly a very incomplete list. There have been many more cases for which I do not have the room or time. Some examples are the E.F. Hutton check kiting scheme from 1980 – 1983 and the Enron accounting fraud (exposed in 2001), made possible by lax auditing from the firm Arthur Andersen. Millions of cars still have faulty airbags made by Takata, which use the same explosive compound that Timothy McVeigh used against the Murrow building in 1995. Some, like the cover-up of the intentional attack on the U.S.S. Liberty (attack in 1967, official cover-up continues to date) and the Arkansas Prison Blood Scandal (1980s and early 1990s), deserve to be better known. On the other hand, not being well known, they probably contributed little to the erosion of trust. 9/11 (2001) is fact the only real pride/ success that one can have f r o m materials derives from true earnings. That is to say {I appreciate what I earn} where ‘easy come, easy goes’ becomes the crux of long-term frustration and disappointment! As long as I think, or believe that I am entitled or owed just because [!?] then I am always in a state of confusion, or at best pressed! Ah, blaming is much easier then taking responsibility! If it’s always someone else’s fault, then I don’t have to be accountable! That of course is not how life works. We all are slated to take account for our actions and accept the fallout! ‘One cannot blame their faults on someone else!’ Embracing one’s uniqueness is the only true path towards actualization. This in turn is predicated on one’s dedication at too well known to cover here, but polls say that most Americans have doubts that the official story is the full story. Congress, in fact, overroad President Obama’s veto and will now allow lawsuits to proceed against Saudi Arabia and other countries that may have played a supporting role. As for the 2003 invasion of Iraq (and where are those weapons of mass destruction?), this event and the disconnect from early assurances of democracy blooming in the MidEast are well-known. In contrast, the F.B.I. COINTELPRO disinformation program may not be widely known but is acknowledged by the government, at least in part. Much information on the program has been released through public record requests. I mention it to show that sometimes the government knowingly lied and did not merely omit telling the truth. I hope I have shown that erosion of trust in government, and the public’s high fear of corruption, does have some reasonable grounding. The fear of corruption and the lack of trust in government is very serious. Our people in the military are ready to fight and risk their lives because they believe in this country and for what it stands, not for the paycheck. Gun control proposals go splat not because of Second Amendment fanatics, but because the majority of Americans do not trust the government to protect them. If the majority of people Ron English with artpiece, "Hope" Photo Credit: Tess Sohngen utilizing their potential. Of course, for most that sense of utilization is not always so simple, yet, I believe that when an individual strives toward that sense of full potential they do in fact realize it! That I would suggest is our selfactualization! When the individual is appreciative of that sense of self and accomplishment they become actualized. This I propose is the course that one must strive for in order to realize their personal worth as well as any measure of success. Those self filled accomplishments for me are the true path towards success. It has often been said that nothing from nothing leaves nothing, so we cannot expect to scrape the bottom of the barrel and enjoy the cream from the top! Self-indulgence is great, yet, it has its place. When true gain is afforded the individual has to put forth the effort for that wanted gain! The outcome can and will be from one’s effort and honest work. This in turn allows for that sense of selfactualization and true being. ------------------------ Old Government Bill Photo Credit: Michael Earl Patton were reasonably confident that they would receive good value for their tax dollars, virtually every levy would pass. Corruption is not an equalopportunity expense – some are always favored more than others. It is one thing to start a business if you are confident that the competitive playing field will be level; it is quite another thing to start a business if you have to factor in the cost of corruption and knowing that the rules might suddenly change in favor of a competitor. Finally, from what comes the value of money? Why is a dollar bill worth more than just a piece of paper with a design made of green and black inks? Isn’t it the trust we have in the Federal Reserve banks and in Washington? THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Because if that goes, then we are in big trouble. In Germany after World War I confidence in the national government collapsed and hyperinflation took hold. Local institutions even printed their own currencies because they were more trusted than the national government. The national government eventually got inflation under control, but stability was maintained through large foreign loans. In 1929 the Great Depression started in the United States and its effects spread to Germany, hitting it hard. Eventually, you-know-who came to power in Berlin to straighten things out. ------------------------ �13 STREET VOICE No. 34 1 | O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 NOW THE UNDECIDED VOTERS' MOTHER GOOSE Do you know what you feel? Remember the old woman who lives in a shoe? Do you hear yourself when the world is standing still? An undecided voter, she doesn't know what to do. Do you recognize the difference in the sounds that you hear? With Hillary Clinton she has some issues of trust, Do you believe that you can make a difference in this world today? But Trump's misogynous acts fill her with disgust. Be for real!! Do you recognize the world and hear the world OFFENDING WALL as it so slowly revolves around? (With apologies to Robert Frost.) Do you understand that it is your life that you are hearing Someone there is who dearly loves a wall. and only your life you’ve found? That someone, The Donald, wants it very tall. Do you know your rights to live without disrespect, He brags the cost to build it Mexico will pay. being happy, and loving your life? After all it's Mexicans the wall will keep away. Do you know anything about your past, present, Out on the stump Trump promises with a smirk not to mention being born in strife? To deport all immigrants who take away our work. Realizing that we are born from one womb Walls won't make good neighbors for the U.S.A, and destined to die in one tomb ALONE. But Trump seldom lets reality get in his way. With all this knowledge do we know right from wrong or how to be strong? Now knowing everything and living our lives, BILL WOODS Contributing Writer forgetting where we derived from. Now seeing deceit and can't do nothing about it, NOW don't we all feel dumb? NOW I believe that there is a power greater than any man's understanding right here today! Looking around today trying to distinguish what was and what I see NOW! Every day I have to Pray!! Changes everywhere I look, from where to catch a bus to where do the hungry eat. Changes in every walk of life and that includes if you’re homeless NOW where do I SLEEP? NOW think are you happy, sad, disillusioned, misunderstood, confused or simply LOST? NOW IS THE TIME TO BELIEVE IN THAT POWER GREATER THAN MAN. I KNOW GOD AND HE IS BOSS!!! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 1 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 110 Across 1. Exchange 5. Curved masonary structure 9. Hold firmly 14. Present location 15. Commercial transaction 16. Artery 17. Fury 18. Leg joint 19. Promise solemnly 20. Start abruptly 22. Sodium chloride 24. Challenge 25. Staining substance 26. Heavy metallic element 28. Beam 30. Oval fruit 31. Snakelike fish 32. Consumed 35. Thoroughfare 38. Run away quickly 39. At this time 40. Support 41. Subdued 42. Shrivelled 43. Lubricant 44. At any time 46. Brief period of precipitation 48. Digit 49. Line 50. Water hen 51. Floor covering 52. Exchange goods for money 53. A quick short straight punch 56. Not in favor of 59. Malevolent 61. Musical composition 63. Tied 65. Shaft 67. Public violence 68. Boredom 69. Male red deer 70. Unit of area 71. Taunt 72. Novice 73. Rind Down 1. Small piece of cloth or paper 2. Fatigued 3. Debate 4. A secret look 5. Request 6. Payment for the release of someone 7. Remove unwanted substances from 8. Part of a shoe 9. Fuel 10. Raucous 11. Length by width 12. Principal actor 13. Trim 21. Roofing material 23. Large woody plant 27. Furrow 29. Beer 30. Liveliness and energy 31. Tree 32. Afresh 33. Ripped 34. Pitcher 35. Blemish 36. Group of three 37. Theatrical part 38. Conifer 41. Condensation 42. Chronic drinker 44. Historic period 45. Referendum 46. Ancient Roman god 47. Cavity 50. Storage space where wines are stored 51. Arithmetic operation 52. Value of Roman numerals LX 53. Liquid extracted from fruit or vegetables 54. Worship 55. Asian pepper plant 56. Assist in wrongdoing 57. Not any 58. Large marine food and game fish 60. Immense 62. Snare 64. Perish 66. Self PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 340 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 109 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 240 - MEDIUM SODOKU PUZZLE NO 239 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 34 1 | O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 381-SAFE 557-2873 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 981-5800 Salvation Army 762-5660 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Shelterhouse 721-0643 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 Parkway Center 784-1853 961-2256 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline CCAT 351-0422 381-6672 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 First Lutheran Church 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry Mercy Franciscan at St. John 562-8841 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 961-4555 381-1954 421-5211 Food/Clothing 271-5501 Starting Over Tom Geiger House Volunteers of America Anna Louise Inn VA VA Homeless Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 221-HELP 721-8666 2401 Reading Road, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-1064 Prospect House 921-1613 Talbert House Tender Mercies 2401-, 2411 Reading Rd, Cinti, Ohio 45202 FreeStore/FoodBank Charlie’s 3/4 House 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 421-0065 241-2600 241-2563 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Mary Magdalen House 771-4800 751-0600 579-8547 721-4811 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 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 Northern Kentucky 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Center for Respite Care 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 $100 Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center for 26 issues 351-3500 977-4489 Other Resources Hamilton/Middletown Health 621-5300 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 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 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 977-6800 859-572-6226 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 535-2719 591-2246 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing Crossroad Health Center St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 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 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 St. Vincent de Paul 661-4620 Cincinnati Health Network 621-6364 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-1983 Our Daily Bread 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Shelter: Both Housing: 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 15 St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 981-4200 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 621-1868 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary 859-491-3335 859-572-6202 $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 O c t 2 1 - N o v 3, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 1 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 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 October 21-November 3, 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director Why Trump’s “Locker Room Talk” Is Reality for Many Women Experiencing Homelessness Pg 3: Where is the Walking School Bus? Over-the-Rhine Community Council Votes to Oppose “Liberty Corner” Development Pg 4: Tess Sohngen Continued Pg 5: St. Francis Seraph Pg 6: How to Respond to Panhandling Pg 7: The Ball of Justice is Rolling into Cancer Health Pg 8: Bolt Cutter Expose Vulnerability of North America’s Oil Pipeline Grid Pg 9: UN Resolution on Journalist Safety Passed, But A Long Way Still to Go Pg 10: Peaslee Presents Pg 11: Corruption 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 October 21-November 3, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Tess Sohngen Dr. Mark Mussman Steve Sunderland Michael Earl Patton Ricardo Taylor Willa D. Jones Bill Woods Tess Sohngen Google Images Key Beck Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Bill Woods Cancer Health Council Donald Trump Dr. Mark Mussman Google Images Josh Spring Journalists Key Beck Michael Earl Patton Oil Pipeline Over-the-Rhine Protests Ricardo Taylor St. Francis Seraph Steve Sunderland Street Life Tess Sohngen United Nations Voting Willa D. Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/2c67855bc5892bf281d7d4ccf33298bc.pdf 515abc465ffa16da7dfcf8b924c6ad09 PDF Text Text November 4th - November 17th 2016 | Vol. 20 Issue 23 (No. 342) advocating justice | Building community buddy gray: 20 -year Rememb e rance This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE We All Need To Be Working Together | 4 The most important thing to me is that buddy never left | 7 Institutional Religion Couldn't Contain buddy's Spirit| 4 Sr. Simone Campbell Election 2016: Working to mend the gaps| 11 Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.org Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 R LOCAL From the Director: Act! evolution requires action. Very many people ignore injustice. Many people recognize injustice but feel defeated and say there is nothing we can do. Still other people recognize injustice at least to some extent and spend time reading about it, talking about it with like-minded friends, posting online about it and perhaps studying it. People may even study and discuss methods of revolution. While the intent of people in these groups may differ, none of these groups are involved in revolution. Don’t read me wrong. I am not saying that recognizing injustice, overcoming feelings of defeatism, reading, talking, posting and studying absolutely are not a part of revolution. Instead, I am saying that these alone are not promoting revolution. I can have as many good conversations about revolution with my friends as time will allow, but unless we act, those conversations did not work for revolution. I am saying that we should study a problem together. We should consider past efforts. We should discuss how we are all doing. We should debate tactics and we should strategize. We should do all these things and more, JOSH SPRING Executive Director but we must collectively move forth and use the information, education and fervor gained in these sessions to embolden us into revolutionary action. It is impossible to create the perfect plan or choose the exact right course of action. We cannot predict the future and we cannot always predict ever positive or negative outcomes of action. Some actions will seem like they failed, others will bring minor success and some actions when added together may bring great success. Actions may lead to danger and hardship. But we must act. Working for revolution requires acting when we still need more people, when we don’t have every single detail, when all the studies are not completed and when we don’t have all the needed expertise. Organizing for revolution requires working with people to empower other people to act when they may not feel ready. These truths are a significant part of why I am so thankful to be a part of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. I often consider our heritage, but am doing so to an even greater extent now. November 15 will mark twenty years since one of our co-founders buddy gray was murdered. Our co-founders were running shelters serving an increasing number of people experiencing homelessness. As the numbers of people needing shelter grew exponentially because of federal, state and local cuts in affordable housing, our co-founders did not wait for the studies to come in. They did not wait for certain “leaders” to express concern. They did not wait for enough people. They did not read and discuss more and more. No, they acted. In 1984 they said homelessness is a systematic problem and unless we coalesce our power in action we will never end it and more and more people will suffer. This is the same way they had kept shelter doors open when funding was unsure or the city sent the fire department through to try to find infractions. They could not predict the future and did not have time to complete every study under the sun, they had to act. Today we continue in the attitude and action of buddy and so many leaders who have made us who we are. ------------------------ Special Issue buddy gray 20-year Rememberance Story Collection: the Seeds He Sowed -- 3 buddy had a most unusual ability to keep himself focused -- 3 Institutional Religion Couldn't Contain buddy's Spirit -- 4 We All Need To Be Working Together -- 4 Someone felt that I was important enough to remember my name -- 5 We are part of a movement freedom train -- 5 buddy's "schooling" of me in the matters of right and wrong forever changed my worldview -- 6 What did buddy know about these people that I did not -- 6 He Knew We Could Be A Stronger Force if We United to Push For Change -- 7 The most important thing to me is that buddy never left -- 7 buddy had a way of challenging each volunteer and staff member like no one else -- 7 It is a powerful experience to be awakened and feel that you belong -- 11 Sr. Simone Campbell presents Election 2016: Working to mend the gaps -- 11 What happens in these low-income communities have a relationship with what is happening in the world -- 12 buddy's place: preserving, rehabilitating, and educating with the community -- 12 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 2 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by 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: Key Beck Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Dick Crowley, Lynn Williams, Tess Sohngen, Alice Skirtz, Pat Clifford, Barbara Poppe, Bill Faith, David Mann, Andy Hutzel, Jenn Summers, Mary Burke Rivers, Mike Wilkey, Tom Dutton, Steve Elliott, Donald H. Whitehead, Jr., Bonnie Neumeier, Malia Pitts, buddy gray Photography/Artwork: Brewster Rhoads, The People's Movement, Collen Kelley, Malia Pitts, 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. �3 LOCAL buddy gray 20-year Rememberance Story Collection: the Seeds He Sowed No. 34 2 | N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 “D o you remember buddy gray?” Josh Spring, director of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, asked a group of residents outside Race Street. All four residents nodded. Some remembered him from the time they experienced homelessness, and some recognized his name from the years they have lived in Over-theRhine. “That’s where we come from,” said Spring. Even 20 years after his death, buddy gray’s work and name – always penned in lower-case initials like the poet e.e. cummings – live on in the community he dedicated his life to. But the neighborhood looks much different than it did when buddy rode his bike through the streets. With the influx of powerful development forces has come the pricing out of many of the poor and black families buddy fought tirelessly to protect. Vine Street between Central Parkway and Liberty Street is hardly recognizable even to those born and raised here. The Drop Inn Center (DIC), where buddy and fellow activists started the Over-the-Rhine People’s Movement, has also left the neighborhood. Public-private plans to “cleanup” Over-the-Rhine have come by way of gentrification along Vine Street, the central pathway through the historic district. The idea was: if the city could “revitalize” Vine Street -- down to the flower boxes meant to mark its new life -- the roots of change would spread through the rest of Over-the-Rhine. Little did the city know, buddy gray had already planted seeds throughout the streets, many of which are still growing in the neighborhood. Born and raised in the small town I TESS SOHNGEN Contributing Writer of Mount Carmel, a homogenous neighborhood eastside of Cincinnati, Stanley (buddy) Gray was described as a typical kid – intelligent, polite and opinionated. Playing baseball in the West End, he was bothered by the lack of resources available to other experiencing poverty long before buddy moved to town in 1970. Reverend Maurice McCrackin, beloved minister and renowned pacifist, became a mentor and friend to buddy as did Nannie Hinkston, whose voice could capture a whole room despite Nike shoes pounding the pavement for your heart fist in the air for your heart, hands in the air for your heart, skyscrapers in the air for your heart, art on walls for your heart. Sunflower seeds in the grass for your soul. Seeds in the grass for your soul… -- Derrick Johnson, a child when he knew buddy gray buddy's bike at the memorial Photo: Brewster Rhoads kids; his sense of injustice at these disparities stayed with him through the radicalizing protest of the Vietnam War. Draftees, poor and black, could not apply for conscientious objection to the war as easily as those white, raised in wealthy communities. Buddy not only took a stance against the war, he also devoted his life to changing the system from the outside. In this effort, he found a home in Over-the-Rhine. Here, the seeds for revolution were planted in him by activists in the neighborhood who had been fighting for basic human rights with people her 5’ frame. Their support and guidance allowed buddy to grow his own roots and tilled the earth for buddy to plant the seeds of activism in the next generation. They may not have had the instantaneous beauty of the flowers flowing from the flower boxes, but buddy gray nurtured the seeds and helped build a community around them. He challenged them, supported them, taught them, fought with them and gave them big bear hugs. Today, while the hanging flowers on Vine get continually replaced, many of buddy’s seeds still live and thrive buddy had a most unusual ability to keep himself focused came to Cincinnati as a Vista Volunteer doing community organizing in Over-the-Rhine, O-T-R, from January 1970 until July 1971. I had just graduated from college and I wanted to live in an urban low-income community and try to help improve living conditions. I met buddy on the street. It was on Green Street near Vine in the spring of 1970. We became friends quite quickly. I was impressed with his sincere interests in the well-being of the people who were living in O-T-R. We stayed close friends the entire time I was living there. I stayed in O-T-R after my Vista Volunteer commitment ended in July 1971 until I moved to Massachusetts in 1982. Primarily because of my friendship with buddy, I chose to continue being involved in community organizing focusing on working in the neighborhood. The DIC, although it has moved out of the neighborhood, still provides shelter to many men and women experiencing homelessness. ReSTOC merged with Over-the-Rhine Housing Network (OTRHN) to form Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, which is the largest provider of affordable housing units in the community today. Many friends and past DIC residents have stayed in the community, and many have moved to continue the work elsewhere. DICK CROWLEY Contributing Writer Milner Demonstration Photo Credit: People's Movement Photos THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Despite the drastic change witnessed in Over-the-Rhine in the past twenty years, and the many conflicts embedded in the struggle for justice through it all, buddy gray is as visible in the community as a large mural on a brick building. The lessons and dreams he fought for were not bitten by the frost of gentrification, but instead stand tall like a sunflower, sturdy in the ground, always facing the sun. As we honor buddy’s spirit today, we remember him through the words of those who are co-creators in his legacy—a sampling of these words is represented in this issue. ------------------------. with the homeless population and trying to increase community access to affordable housing. I also worked with buddy on the community newspaper, VOICES. I was in the role of photographer. Buddy was the primary initiator on most of the projects I was involved with in the community. I mainly provided transportation and support services. Buddy had the prominent role in the community to help coordinate projects and programs like the Drop Inn Center and ReSTOC. I did odd jobs and some substitute teaching in the Cincinnati public schools and continued to do volunteer work with buddy and other friends in the neighborhood. I also worked a couple of years at the Drop Inn Center as an overnight staff person. I was around when the first over-night shelter was set up in a store front on Vine Street, and when the historic midnight move was made to the 12th Street location in 1978. (Continued on page 6) �4 I LOCAL Institutional Religion Couldn't Contain buddy's Spirit first met buddy when I was a preschool teacher at the Prince of Peace Nursery School in Over-the-Rhine. I met him only briefly then. He was encouraging neighborhood people and workers to attend the Over-the-Rhine Community Council meetings. In the 1980s he already had a reputation of being a great leader and a nonviolent “fighter” for the poor. I had LYNN WILLIAMS Contributing Writer continue now to work in Over-theRhine at the Contact Center. I was hired as an advocate working at the Drop Inn Center and there I got to know buddy. It would take a long, long time to type up a book about all the great things buddy did just in the short time I knew him Lynn Helped Organize Ohio Empowerment Coalition Credit: People's Movement Photos moved to Cincinnati from another county in Ohio a couple of years earlier and then moved to Overthe-Rhine to work and live. I lived in Over-the-Rhine for 20 years and from 1990 to his assassination in 1996. He was a completely unique person whom I will never forget. He was warm, compassionate and had a tremendous sense of humor. He had a “presence” about him that was unlike anybody I ever met. I could give many examples of his kindnesses to the down and out people who came across his path. Believe me, Pope Francis should know about him. Yet, buddy’s spirituality went far beyond institutional religions. Institutional religion couldn’t contain buddy’s spirit! I’ll list two examples of why buddy was a hero in my eyes, even though he would never have wanted to be called a hero. Catherine Howard, another great Over-theRhine activist who has since passed on to Eternity, and I were walking on Vine Street headed together to a meeting when we came upon an elderly woman crying on the sidewalk near 14th & Vine. She was standing among all her belongings with her furniture “put out” on the sidewalk. It was freezing cold and snow was falling. She told us she had been evicted although she had always paid her rent each month. Well, Catherine and I immediately got in touch with buddy at the Drop Inn Center and right away he brought the van to get her and all her belongings and bring them back to Drop Inn Center. We were furious that an elderly woman, whom we found out had a heart condition, could be treated like this. Later we We All Need To Be Working Together N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 2 found out that it was even worse than this. She had somehow been paying rent to the wrong landlord because of a sale of the building. This is just one example of how buddy literally helped the down and out in Over-the-Rhine. When I was working at the Drop Inn Center, if buddy was in the van and saw someone passed out drunk on the sidewalk or street, he would stop the van to help the person. Buddy was the Good Samaritan the Gospels talk about. I can testify that I was in the van one day when we literally picked up an elderly woman passed out from the late stages of alcoholism and lifted her on the van to bring her back to the Drop Inn Center, get her cleaned up and a place in the women’s dorm. Buddy always said it was better for people passed out on the street to go to Drop Inn Center instead of to jail. I’ll never forget this woman as long as I live. This was one of my first experiences working at the Drop Inn Center. I had never come so close to an elderly woman in the last stages of alcoholism. She died about a month or so later from alcoholism, but she didn’t die alone on the street. Buddy would never ever have compared himself to Mother Teresa, but I sure did compare him to her. I know he has a special reward for his many kind acts of mercy in the World to come. Thank you, buddy, for inspiring me, and many others by your deep commitment to justice and compassion for humanity, one person helped at a time. ------------------------ TESS SOHNGEN with ALICE SKIRTZ and PAT CLIFFORD I Contributing Writer n the early 1980s, it became clear to many social workers and activists in Over-the-Rhine that reliable information and documentation about affordable housing in the community was needed in order to increase housing options for the growing number of people experiencing homelessness. Three shelter directors – Alice Skirtz from The Salvation Army, Barbara Poppe from Bethany House Services and buddy gray from the Drop Inn Center (DIC) – and an ever broader range of shelter directors from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky formed the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless on May 30, 1984. Joe Beene, who had experienced homelessness prior to the formation of the Coalition, was another influential and inspirational founder. The Coalition followed the goals of buddy and others in the community, to advocate for the needs of those experiencing homelessness, and did so independently from government money and preferences. The decision was made to not seek 501(c)3 non-profit status and to keep the organization’s needs minimal: a location, a telephone, and a passionate membership. “In an amazing joint effort, with no funds, no hierarchy, almost no structure, we began to work for but more importantly with those who experienced the problem of homelessness,” said Alice Skirtz in her 2006 dissertation from Union Institute & University. “We soon realized that whatever interpretation or explanation was offered for the problem of homelessness, it was imperative that we keep focus on homelessness as a matter of failures in housing and not failures of homeless persons… Homelessness was about scarcity of affordable housing.” People who had experienced an addiction, homelessness or poverty or who came through the Drop Inn Center became a part of the Coalition’s story and staff. The current street newspaper, STREETVIBES, Spring Street Hunger Strike: Rev. Maurice McCrackn, buddy, Bev Merrill Photo Credit: People's Movement Photos is just one project stemming from the Homeless Coalition. It offers opportunity to work for systemic change and is a means of making an income for persons experiencing homelessness by becoming vendors of the newspaper. A forerunner of STREETVIBES was the community newspaper called VOICES. “The story of our housing efforts THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED of the next decade, 1988-1998, cannot be told without the life and work of buddy gray,” said Alice Skirtz. While still working for the DIC, buddy co-founded ReSTOC, which enabled the community to own real estate that could then be transformed into affordable housing units. Buddy worked with residents and persons (Continued on page 6) �5 LOCAL Someone felt that I was important enough to remember my name No. 34 2 | N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 B DONALD H. WHITEHEAD, JR. Contributing Writer uddy was first and foremost my friend. Our friendship developed from a service provider service receiver relationship to a genuine friendship and mentorship. I left sixteen years ago but Overthe-Rhine will always have a special place in my heart. I have many personal friendships that I maintain there. I return for events whenever asked to support my friends and organizations. I visit every opportunity that becomes available. My favorite story of buddy is our first time meeting. I was in the midst of a very difficult position in my life. It was buddy’s custom to greet all of the new residents in the Drop Inn Center. During that talk he asked us questions and shared the story of the Drop Inn Center and the struggles in Over-the-Rhine. Shortly after the presentation buddy came over to me and he talked a little more. I don’t remember everything he said but I do remember two things. Buddy called me Donald and I remember the feeling of pride that that brought me. For the first time in a long time someone felt that I was important enough to remember my name. The other thing I remember was the last four words he said, “I’m glad you’re here”. An image I see is buddy testifying at Cincinnati City Council meetings. I always remember how prepared he was and how eloquently he spoke. Always buddy appeared to be the smartest person in the room. Things have completely transformed in Over-the-Rhine. The community is one of the saddest examples of gentrification I have ever seen. On the other hand, many institutions remain in place. Overthe-Rhine Community Housing, Peaslee Neighborhood Center, the Homeless Coalition and others continue to fight against extremely powerful forces. Buddy’s legacy lives on through the longevity of these amazing organizations. I think gentrification has reached its peak and there is a small window of opportunity to reclaim some of the remaining properties for poor people. It is incredibly important to rally around those agencies still We are part of a movement freedom train BONNIE NEUMEIER Contributing Writer T he day I lost buddy on November 15, 1996, I couldn’t imagine twenty years out. I often wake up from dreams wanting to talk with him about what do we do now. I trusted so much in his strategic mind. And even more in his compassionate heart. We all still feel the deep loss of a friend and fellow justice seeker taken from us too soon. He was in the prime of his life, only 46. There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not reminded of his daily hard work to improve conditions for sisters and brothers, poor, homeless, or stretching to make ends meet. Buddy took many punches for the team while he lived, and punches still even after his death. When are those in power going to get it right? Buddy did not want a “slum,” but wanted his neighbors not to be pushed out, wanted us to have a sense of self-determination in the neighborhood we call home, and wanted basic human rights for people. We have a right to this city, too. How are those goals against development? Buddy believed in community development. The kind where common folks are equal participants and have decision-making power over our lives and our neighborhoods. He definitely would not approve of us being pawns of corporate Cincinnati, being pushed out of sight in the name of revitalization. Buddy was mentored by many. He really believed in walking with and learning from the people. There are people who impacted him greatly, names that aren’t written in the history books, common folk who struggled every day but taught him how to carry on against great odds: Rosetta Hatton, Thaddeus Cheatham, Richard Winbush, Marie Cobb, Ruth Jones, Denise Crew, Charlene Robinson, Minnie Young, Nannie Hinkston, Carrie Johnson, George Dunson, Charlie Mason, Jimmy Render, Richard Bachelor, Tom Lee, Joe Beene, and the list can go on. Buddy was deeply moved through his involvement in resisting the war in Vietnam. There were many movements he was listening to and active in as a young adult: Civil Rights, Farmworkers, Women’s Movement and Labor Movement. He chose to walk with the people at the bottom. It was a natural progression to call what we were doing a poor people’s movement in Over-theRhine, carrying on the work that was Donald Whitehead speaks at 20th Anniversary of Recovery Hotel Photo Credit: Over-the-Rhine Community Housing fighting for relevance and their very existence. Buddy challenged me to be a part of the movement by using my gifts and talents to a cause that was much more important. He helped me to understand selflessness, preparation and community. I have moved on to the national fight and in many ways it mirrors the fight in Over-theRhine. We have to preserve and fight for the rights of people experiencing homelessness and already going on. Buddy believed in strengthening the numbers in this movement. He mentored many just as he was mentored. I don’t know of a meeting, a march, a presentation or an event that buddy went to without having some folk by his side. Our lessons were taught by journeying with him, on the job, in the street, in his truck, on a volunteer work crew, and at city hall. I am proud that we have carried on. I am proud of our movement’s leadership and their teams in all the grassroots organizations that continue the work upon the solid foundation that buddy helped to build. We understand we are part of a movement freedom train. It’s been on the track for years before us, and will continue beyond our lives. The fire of justice is in hearts and will burn as long as necessary. We continue to build peoples’ programs, to add affordable housing on line, to organize tenants against displacement. We continue to connect our neighbors with basic services, to organize to defend public parks for our children, to push for housing policies that demand fair and equitable development. We continue to stand with those challenging police brutality, to create circles where young girls and women can be creative and express their voices, to work with our youth so they are the next generation to be agents of THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED poverty. We face powerful political and economic forces that see poor people as obstructions in the road to prosperity, obstructions that are better cast aside. We must never be silent. Buddy taught us the power of protest, a lesson we must never forget. As Fredrick Douglass said: “Power concedes nothing without protest, it never has and it never will.” ------------------------. Carrie and Annabelle Johnson Photo Credit: People's Movement Photos change. We will continue to sing and do art and make poetry. Yes, our movement train is going down the track. Yes, we miss you buddy. And you know our hearts ache not only for you, but also for many others. In this twenty years we have lost many beautiful people who gave their energy and lives to building our beloved community. I want to call out the name of Carrie Johnson. It is just one year on November 14th that we lost Ms. Carrie. I imagine Carrie and buddy are rallying Nannie Hinkston and all those who have gone on to the spirit world, and they are trying to find a way to breathe hope into our hearts and wind in our sails. They know we can use both. Hope and wind to carry on. Thank you buddy, and Carrie and Nannie for your years of leadership. We will always remember… ------------------------. �6 LOCAL N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 2 buddy's "schooling" of me in the matters of right and wrong forever changed my worldview” I met buddy through Sister Mary Grafe as we began Bethany House of Hospitality (now Bethany House Services) in the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement.  With a focus on social and economic justice, we connected to found the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (now COHHIO).   I had no idea when I first met buddy that he would be part of forever changing my life. He instilled in me the fundamental belief that BARBARA POPPE Contributing Writer housing is a human right and access to a safe and affordable home is the only real solution to homelessness. He, along with others in the activist network of Cincinnati, taught me about direct action and civil disobedience, how to organize and mobilize people to show up for public hearings, how to testify about injustice and make the case for just solutions.   His fierce and unwavering commitment to justice and the people who the Mayerson Foundation where I worked to “educate the educators” about the appropriate ways to learn and serve others. I also served on the boards of ReSTOC, Peaslee, and Our Daily Bread. In 1984 I was a contented high school teacher and a very successful basketball coach in the suburbs of Cincinnati. Finneytown was a high school with lots of great students and parents, in a district that valued education and encouraged unique learning experiences. Yet, it was ME who had a lot to learn. I decided to take a graduate course from Miami University, which consisted of several weekend ended up at the door of the Drop Inn Shelter. After knocking at the door, we stepped inside to feel the warmth from the November air, but I was overwhelmed with the smell, sort of a combination of alcohol, body odor, and urine. Needless to say, I was very uncomfortable as I stepped into the shelter and past the benches where men were sleeping and staring into space. Since I had entered first, I became the “unofficial” spokesperson of the group. A young man with a full beard and long-pony tail, wearing bibbed overalls, was sweeping the floor and looked up as I approached and asked me who we were. I responded that we were from Miami University. He asked why we were here. I responded we were here to observe. He said rather quickly, “What do you think this is . . . the Cincinnati Zoo?“ I said no. He said, “I think you need to leave.” I went back to school for his masters in social work. Clifford volunteered for ReSTOC as an undergraduate at Xavier University studying Classical Languages. He was a senior when Xavier University held their first shanty town to raise awareness about homelessness. During his last semester, buddy approached him and offered him a job with the DIC. Clifford worked part time there and at the Coalition until he became Director of the DIC. As many organizations were responding to the homelessness crisis, Clifford remembered how buddy and the Coalition brought organizations together to share resources and information. “His approach to collaboration… was very influential, and that’s not always the case for people in charge,” said Clifford. Following buddy’s death, there was discussion about whether or not the strides buddy had made in the community would continue. Developers, some city council members and buddy’s critics were skeptical, but Over-the-Rhine community leaders like Nannie Hinkston were adamant that the work to improve the rights and lives of those experiencing homelessness and the fight for more affordable housing would continue. The work of this strong, committed collective of people and organizations did continue through those who were already a part of these organizations buddy had worked with to create, sustain and grow through many uphill struggles – Drop Inn, ReSTOC, Over-theRhine Housing Network, Homeless Coalition, Peaslee – and people who were still to come to Over-the-Rhine. story. The main image I have of buddy was his ability to focus on conversations he was having with other people. He was able to devote his full attention and give back thoughtful and meaningful responses to anyone who asked him for his time. Buddy was especially helpful and caring with me over the time that I knew him when I had serious mood swings that compromised my ability to function and work in the community on a day-to-day basis. He was consistently supportive and nonjudgmental towards me during these down spells. Buddy had a most unusual ability to keep himself focused on the work he was doing AND also be sensitive, compassionate and encouraging to his friends and acquaintances. He challenged me by setting a good example of how to relate to people I had never met before. He challenged me to be more patient, compassionate and nonjudgmental with people I am living and working with. The history of buddy gray's involvement in O-T-R and the people who made that history is important to acknowledge and incorporate into ongoing efforts to maintain decent housing and living conditions for the most vulnerable residents of O-T-R and surrounding neighborhoods in Cincinnati. Buddy's life work and commitment to the people is a good example for anyone anywhere who is trying to help other people. STEVE ELLIOTT I Contributing Writer SOHNGEN, SKIRTZ, CLIFFORD (Continued from page 4) experiencing homelessness to organize people in the same situation to go to city council meetings. He led the struggle to rescue and rebuild 1300 Vine Street after a major fire and the city’s plan to tear it down, and led the fight for Recovery Hotel when the city tried to rescind funding for the project. “He had the spirit of ‘we all need to be working together’,” said Pat Clifford, who became the Director of the Drop Inn Center in 1998 and served there until 2010 when he DICK CROWLEY (Continued from page 3) I had a pick- up truck, an old GMC. Buddy used to borrow the truck from time to time. One time when buddy borrowed the truck and had a passenger in the cab, buddy had to put the brakes on suddenly, the passenger door flew open and the passenger was nearly ejected from the truck. Fortunately, the passenger was able to hang onto the door for dear life and no one was hurt. Buddy got a big kick out of retelling that ----------------------- classes on a variety of topics, which would not be found in a traditional class. The schedule was appealing to a full time teacher, Friday night, Saturday, and then a reflection paper submitted on Sunday morning. We met at the Springdale Sheraton once a month, with a wide range of topics, lots of speakers and very interactive. The weekend class that changed my life, both professionally and personally, was called “City in the Night.” The thirty teachers were divided into groups of five or six, and then assigned to visit several social agencies in urban Cincinnati. My group was assigned to visit a downtown fire station, University Hospital waiting room, and the Drop Inn Center ShelterHouse on 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine. After our visits, we were then asked to meet on Fountain Square to share our experiences. After our visits to the fire station and University Hospital, my group What did buddy know about these people that I did not consider buddy to be my friend and mentor. I was an educator for over forty years, and feel that buddy was my teacher. My relationship with Overthe-Rhine is centered in the many hundreds of Finneytown students who participated in our service program, which invested hours of serving others at the Drop Inn Center, ReSTOC (now Over-the-Rhine Community Housing) and the Peaslee Neighborhood Center. Many of the students continued to support nonprofits and programs in Cincinnati after high school and college. After retiring from Finneytown, I served as a service-learning consultant for were denied housing in the face of great hostility from elected leaders and people in power was inspiring.  Buddy challenged my fundamental assumptions that America was a fair country that provided equal opportunity for all. One of my favorite memories is from the late 1980’s; the monthly drives to Columbus for meetings of the Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.  Buddy would get someone to loan us a car and we’d load up with a few Drop Inn Center residents, Sr. Mary and me.  The two hour drive to and from the meetings were filled with lessons from buddy about systemic and systematic injustices to people of color, families with low incomes, and people struggling with addiction and mental illness.   His “schooling” of me in the matters of right and wrong forever changed my worldview.  I am grateful for those lessons, his friendship, and his leadership through turbulent times.  When I confront tough decisions, I have often thought of buddy’s lessons and bravery in adversity so I am inspired to stand for justice.  I hope he’s smiling as we all strive to carry on his legacy. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED (Continued on page 10) ------------------------ �LOCAL 7 No. 34 2 | N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 He Knew We Could Be A Stronger Force if We United to Push For Change BILL FAITH, COHHIO Contributing Writer W hen many of us started homeless programs, soup kitchens or early supportive housing projects back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, we were pretty isolated in our own communities fighting our local battles. We were like little dots on the map spread out all over but we didn’t know much about each other. Buddy was one of the key people in connecting those dots because he knew we could be a stronger force if we united to push for change. He was one of a few key leaders in Ohio to form the Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (now known as COHHIO) and was one of the first in Ohio to help form the National Coalition for the Homeless. Without a doubt his dedication and passion was unmatched and continues to inspire me to this day. He connected the housing injustices we all worked on to the broader fights for systems change for racial justice, human rights and poverty. His drive to fight for housing justice - to seek and actually create real solutions for homeless people and other low- income people - helped me want to do more in my own work. This is true for people I know, who knew him then, all over the country. We took different paths. I became a housing advocate around the state government and buddy stayed rooted in working with people in Over-the- Rhine. For years we served on one of the national boards together. I would fly to the DC meetings, book a hotel room where the meeting was going to be and connect with the other board members who did the same thing. Almost every meeting buddy would show up at my door around midnight or so – having driven for hours in the van with a couple of resident leaders and say “you mind if we crash here?” (It wasn’t an actual question, really). Buddy had a wonderful sense of humor, he loved big bear hugs and he was a constant source of encouragement to everyone in the networks – from the new interns to the old veterans. Over the years, we had our own battles over strategies and tactics but those pale in comparison to the work we shared. While sitting in the hotel room one night in what turned out to be just a few weeks before he died, he said some of the kindest and most complimentary things anyone has ever told me. His was a heart of gold ------------------------ The most important thing to me is that buddy never left I DAVID MANN Contributing Writer was a member of Cincinnati City Council from 1974 until 1992 when I was elected to Congress for what turned out to be one term. I served as Mayor in 1981, 1982 and 1991. I returned to Council in 2013. My earliest memory of buddy gray was before I first came to council when he was the leader to keep the Drop Inn Center open and to obtain a permanent home for it at the union building on 12tth Street. After I became a member of council, buddy was a frequent visitor to City Hall as he advocated for issues affecting the Drop Inn Center, Overthe-Rhine and its residents. The first issue that comes to mind involved an O-T-R resident, Richard Winbush, who had been seriously injured at the complicated five points corner intersection at Vine, McMicken and Findlay Streets. Buddy advocated quite forcefully and correctly for crosswalks and traffic controls. Some at City Hall were put off by the numbers of residents that came with him in support and by buddy's steady uncompromising approach. He marshaled facts and presented them skillfully and articulately. Many asked, “Who is this young sloppily dressed kid from the suburbs down here mixing with poor people? He cannot know more than us but he does not politely assume that City Hall knows best. He must be a commie or something. After he gets his kicks, he will move on and leave those who he purports to serve.” The most important thing to me is that buddy never left. He served the folks in O-T-R until the day he died. He was an advocate for improved housing and more support for poor citizens throughout his years of service. Buddy worked hard to control residential property with the dream of renovating it for affordable housing. Buddy persuaded Council to adopt a motion promising to include the needs of the poor in any revitalization of O-T-R. He would marvel at all that has happened in buddy with "little buddy" out front of City Hall Credit: People's Movement Photos O-T-R in recent years. He would grieve at how poorly the community has stood by the formal motion that council adopted in response to his advocacy. Buddy always respected and supported neighborhood leaders such at Nannie Hinkston, long time president of O-T-R Community Council. I think often of buddy and how he touched so many lives in a short time. He touched mine though we were at odds on occasion. I always respected all that he did and I still do. ------------------------ buddy had a way of challenging each volunteer and staff member like no one else “b uddy was my mentor. I worked closely with him to learn and understand the day-to-day operations of a couple organizations he helped to start. Buddy wasn’t too big on titles. He just preferred dedicated and committed people who were willing to serve in any role that was needed. I sought to be someone buddy could depend on and carry through on what needed to get done,” said Andy Hutzel. “If I can only be defined by my relationships ANDY HUTZEL, JENN SUMMERS AND TESS SOHNGEN Contributing Writers with residents of the neighborhood, then that would be enough for me. What they have contributed to my being or person means everything to me. That relationship building started with buddy.” Hutzel first came to Over-theRhine as a high school volunteer from Elder High School, and continued to work with buddy as an intern at ReSTOC. He was one of many young people whose lives buddy touched and inspired. “buddy had a way of challenging each volunteer and staff member like no one else. He challenged you physically, mentally and spiritually. It took no time for him to push you to the edge (and beyond) of your comfort zone. That challenging and THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED pushing made you stronger and more confident as time went on,” said Hutzel. Another intern at the time was equally moved by buddy and by fellow community members: Jenn Summers. Working side-by-side with Hutzel and buddy, Summers remembers the 11:00 p.m. phone calls from buddy on a Friday night asking her and Hutzel to fax something important, the piles of papers lining (Continued on page 10) �8 TRIBUTE N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 2 Photos and Poems of buddy gray buddy gray Photo Credit: People's Movement Photos MEMORIAL MARCH FOR buddy Photo Credit: Brewster Rhoads buddy's 40th Birthday at Peaslee THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 34 2 | N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 9 TRIBUTE MEMORIAL MARCH FOR buddy Photo Credit: Brewster Rhoads THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �10 HUTZEL, SUMMERS AND SOHNGEN (Continued from page 7) the stairs of the ReSTOC office, all marked by buddy with a red sharpie as “URGENT”, and the favorite lunch from Bang’s Market: cheese and mayonnaise sandwiches on white bread and chocolate milk. Together they collaborated on many projects around the community, but the one that first engulfed them into the fight for affordable housing was the struggle to develop the Recovery Hotel in 1994 -1995. “The hard, relentless work to bring that project to completion on a meager budget but with resiliency defined who buddy was to me. It took tough negotiating skills to acquire the building, political activism to bring the plight of the homeless to city hall, and stubbornness to not let up when the odds were against us,” said Hutzel. “I remember looking at those stacks of paper, and [buddy] had written ‘URGENT’ on the ones that… needed to get done,” said Summers. “But all of them had ‘URGENT’ LOCAL written on them, so we said, ‘How are we supposed to know where to start?’” Hutzel, Summers, and buddy raised money and put their sweat and bodies into the rehabilitation of the building (with the help of volunteers), despite the relentless opposition from the city and critics saying the building would blight the community with the stain of alcoholics and addicts. But the work that interns and people in recovery put into the Recovery Hotel paid off, and the building still provides 20 units of affordable housing – a home – to recovering alcoholics. Twenty-three years later, Hutzel and Summers still work in the neighborhood. Hutzel worked at the Drop Inn Center for several years and is now the Director of Housing Services for Over-the-Rhine Community Housing (OTRCH), the merger of Over-the-Rhine Housing Network (OTRHN) and ReSTOC. Summers became the General Coordinator of ReSTOC after buddy’s death and before the merger with Over-the-Rhine Housing Network. She is now the Director of the Peaslee N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 2 ReStoc Work Crew outside of office Photo Credit: People's Movement Photos Neighborhood Center. “I think we continue to hold up the mission, vision and values that buddy instilled in the people and organizations in Over-the-Rhine and we continue to build on what we’ve been able to accomplish in the past 23 plus years,” said Hutzel. “Buddy was involved in purchasing our first building close to 40 years ago to house men and women at the Drop Inn Center and I am proud that the Drop Inn Center continues to be one of our largest referral sources for housing. If homelessness is not solved in 20 years, then I want us to continue to be providing quality, dignified housing to this same population in Over-theRhine.” ------------------------ STEVE ELLIOTT (Continued from page 6) responded, “I think you are right.” My initial thought, as my mind was trying to process the sights, smells and brief exchange, was “What did he know about these people that I obviously did not know?” He was protective of them as human beings and I so admired him for this. I felt uncomfortable, curious, challenged, humiliated and needing to process this experience. This encounter with buddy changed my focus about education and encouraged me to develop a service program at Finneytown that became a model for public schools in Cincinnati. As he shared later, I was just “coaching” another sport. It was his belief in the respect for others and the importance of building relationships with those you serve that became the cornerstone of the Finneytown program. “The two most important days in our life, are the day we are born and then the day we find out why.” This day at the Drop Inn was when I found out why. I learned rather quickly that I knew very little about how to develop a service program and that my personal philosophy of Ready-FireAim would be the process. The passion to improve the lives of others, and respecting everyone for their unique individuality, became the foundation of our program. The philosophy of the program was: good service is when those who serve become the learner, and those who are served become the teacher. When we served meals at the Drop Inn three times a month, the guideline was, if you had a chance to talk to guests, conversation was as important as serving. Thanks to buddy (and Bonnie), our program was aimed in the right direction. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL It is a powerful experience to be awakened and feel that you belong 11 No. 34 2 | N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 B uddy was a friend and mentor. He encouraged me from the day that I met him to share what I knew about the deep need for affordable housing. I was a social worker working for the Hamilton County Department of Human Services in the Children’s Services division at the time. I had good conversations with buddy and mostly remember him as part of something larger. I felt part of the same community as buddy. I was young and naïve. I feel like I grew up through the community at the Drop Inn Center and in Over-the-Rhine. I found a place where I belonged. Buddy was central to that and so were many other people. It is a powerful experience to have a part of yourself awakened and to feel that you belong. I am currently the Executive Director of Over-the-Rhine Community Housing (OTRCH). OTRCH was formed out of the merger of Over-the-Rhine Housing Network (OTRHN) and ReSTOC. I was hired as the Director of OTRHN in 1993. Prior to that I was active with the homeless coalition in my role as the Housing Specialist at the County. One of the memories about buddy that stays with me is his absolute groundedness in justice. I can picture his face and his eyes as he spoke to people. He would look people in the eye and tell them about the people he knew who needed housing, about some injustice that had occurred and what should be done about it. Buddy would look at you like, “Yeah, can you believe that? Now lets get busy fixing it.” I remember touring the neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine with buddy. I remember the feeling of seeing the neighborhood in a totally different way than I had seen it before. I was probably accepting the mainstream narrative that the neighborhood was a bad place until I walked the neighborhood with buddy and I began to see the community here. It was a powerful experience. A fond memory of buddy was a meeting I had with him a few days before he died. We met at our MARY BURKE RIVERS Contributing Writer OTRHN office at 220 E. Clifton to talk about our financial struggles at the Housing Network. We worked out a solid plan and when he left I felt relieved that everything was going to be okay. When you during the interview nodding with encouragement. I smile when I think of his testimonies at City Hall, the way buddy spoke when he was sharing a truth, his foolproof arguments for Andy Hutzel and Mary B. Rivers Photo Credit: Colleen Kelly lacked confidence in a strategy or presentation he would just push forward as if it was a given that the plan or I would succeed. Even when things seemed dark he would be optimistic. I remember my first interview with a reporter about a housing issue. It was a phone interview with a radio reporter. I was on the second floor of the Drop Inn Center where we held our Homeless Coalition meetings. Buddy stood by my side justice. I picture him with his pen in hand and his spiral notebook. His comments were always smart and thoughtful. It was hard to argue with the integrity of his comments and his sincerity. I think buddy was able to draw smart people and kind people to his argument -- smart people couldn’t argue with what he was saying. I love how buddy interacted with people who were homeless. He treated them with such kindness Sr. Simone Campbell presents Election 2016: Working to mend the gaps S r. Simone Campbell joined the sisters of Nuns on the Bus, to discuss mending the economic and social divides in our country and counter political incivility with a message of MALIA PITTS Contributing Writer inclusion. Wednesday’s event was held at Christ Church Cathedral, on E 4th St. where Sr. Simone presented an interactive presentation on the policies that disproportionately impacts women and people of color, and challenged those in attendance to envision and share their thoughts THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED and respect. He knew everyone’s name. I see buddy in Andy Hutzel’s interactions with the residents at Jimmy Heath House. I see buddy at Jimmy Heath House where the people buddy cared so deeply about are treated with love, kindness, and respect. I see buddy at Recovery Hotel and I remember the fight to get it built and how 20 years later it is providing housing and support to people who were homeless and are now in recovery. Buddy would be so proud that Recovery Hotel continues on, strong and vital. A core group of us have carried on. It is how buddy would approach things that obviously needed fixing. It would simply be absurd to walk away and not continue the fight for housing, justice, and our place here in Over-the-Rhine. Buddy challenged me to speak about what I knew to be true, what I had experienced working side by side with families who were seeking housing. He convinced me that I had an important story to tell and that my voice was important. He challenged me to keep moving forward and to always seek solutions and be creative in seeking those solutions. I learned to look at the world through a different lens. I came to challenge conventional wisdom and to see the injustice in our systems that keep some people wealthy and comfortable while others struggle for basic needs. In 20 years – I assume I will be retired from here but hopefully still engaged. I will be 74. I hope that our buildings will still be serving our community of people who can’t access market housing. I do have some fear that we may be pushed out in a similar fashion that Drop Inn Center was moved - slowly undermining our work until it is palatable to enough people that we be removed. Given the current political climate in our country and the continued challenges people face to build wealth or simply live, I can’t imagine what 20 years from now might look like. Will there continue to be a widening gap between the wealthy and the rest of us? Will many more of us be struggling for survival? I love buddy. I feel very fortunate to have landed in Over-the-Rhine with this community of people who love and care for each other, and who are seeking justice and another way for us all to be in community. ------------------------ on what Cincinnati would look like if we were to vote to mend the gaps in income and wealth inequality, and improve access to democracy, healthcare, citizenship and housing. Sr. Simone Campbell, executive director of NEWTWORK and leader of The Nuns on the Bus, urges everyone to join them in mending the gaps because the (Continued on page 13) �12 I LOCAL What happens in these low-income communities have a relationship with what is happening in the world met buddy in Over-the-Rhine in 1969. I was working at HUB Services, an agency providing basic services to people in the area. Buddy had just come into the area and was helping mostly homeless people find a place to stay and to get other help. We became friends. I was very much impressed by his commitment to the people in the community. Buddy was able to secure and open a small place in the 1700 block of Vine Street for the homeless. I worked with him at this time to provide some services for these homeless people. A few years later buddy was able to move the shelter to the Bible Center on Main Street (1324 Main Street). Buddy and I and a few others worked at the shelter in the evenings providing a place for the homeless to stay. I remember going with buddy at night to some of the abandoned buildings and bringing the homeless to the shelter. In the winter months, we encountered a few people who died in the cold. In January of 1978 at midnight, the residents, along with buddy and others moved the shelter to a building on 12th Street where the Drop Inn Center really began. It T N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 2 MIKE WILKEY Contributing Writer remained at this site until a year ago when it moved to Queensgate. During those early years, buddy and I, and a few others, began working on housing issues in the area. At this time, there was a government program setup to rehabilitate some of the old buildings in the community. Many of the people living in these buildings were being evicted without any help. Buddy and I and others helped these people to find another apartment and would try to get the City of Cincinnati to provide relocation money, which they were entitled to. We would also go to the offices of some of the developers, such as Denhart, to demand that they treat the people being evicted in a more humane way. Buddy and I and others would meet weekly to plan actions in the community to get more services. In the early years we had no money but we were committed to fighting for the neighborhood. We were able, with buddy's help, to win some victories and lose a few, but we stayed together and continued to struggle to change things. Buddy became a real leader during these years. He was determined to lead the community in a direction that helped the people in the area to have a better life. I know that he believed that everyone should have the basic necessities of life, not just the people at the top. Buddy also got involved with the Voices Newspaper, which came out once a month. Buddy was a great writer and could express himself very clearly. During the 70's a People's Movement of blacks and whites became a force for change in the community. I was very fortunate to be a part of this struggle. When I left O-T-R in 1978, I moved with my family to Colorado. I continued working with lowincome people and did some community organizing with them. I moved to Arizona with my family in 1985 and began working with an organization that brought together various churches to work on issues in low-income communities. A number of years later I moved with my wife to the Chicago area and now am involved in a number of issues such as gun control, immigration reform, climate change and raising the minimum wage. My son, Chris Wilkey, moved to the area a few years ago and started teaching at Northern Kentucky University and he began to make contacts in O-T-R and setup a program with another professor at Miami University in Oxford. He continues to be involved in the community today. Buddy gray and people from O-T-R have been, for me, the reason why I stay involved in these issues. Buddy had a view that what happens in these low-income communities have a relationship with what is happening in the world. We would talk about what was happening in Vietnam and other parts of the world and what was happening in O-T-R as all connected. Buddy had a universal understanding of this fact. We are all brothers and sisters. Finally, I would like to say that buddy was a very dedicated and committed person. He would do everything to help the homeless and others in the community to fight the power structure. He was my friend and I miss him. buddy's place: preserving, rehabilitating, and educating with the community he historical architecture first drew architect Tom Dutton to Over-the-Rhine, now a professor at Miami University, but his relationships with buddy and other community members has kept him active in the community for 34 years. One afternoon, buddy sat in Over-the-Rhine Housing Network’s front lobby with Dutton, waiting for the others to come to the meeting. Buddy looks around him -- he forgot his notebook. He was an avid note taker, carrying a legal pad in his backpack wherever he went. A couple times each year, buddy would stock up on legal pads only to go through them in a matter of months. The legal pad was like an extension of his arm, his never-give-up fight, his notes for the history and future battles of Overthe-Rhine, many times in verse. These notes and poems would touch and shape the community like his hand reaching out to pick someone off the pavement. But today he forgot it. His legal pad was in the Drop Inn Center, a fifteen-minute walk away. TESS SOHNGEN WITH TOM DUTTON Contributing Writers “I could drive you,” Dutton said. “No, we’ll walk.” The walk there and back took them twice as long. Everyone they passed on their way to the Drop Inn Center knew buddy and said hello. Some stretched their heads and arms out of the windows. Buddy knew everyone’s name and paused to talk to everyone. “We were pretty late to that meeting,” Dutton said. Preserving the architectural integrity and the rights of those who live in the buildings were vital goals of buddy and Dutton, despite the many claims that ReSTOC and buddy wanted to make Over-the-Rhine a permanent ghetto. The fight was not againstpreservationanddevelopment but rather the imminent removal of the poor through development that could gentrify the neighborhood. Walking down Vine Street today, one could see that buddy’s fear of displacement through development has come true. But to say that he opposed preservation is to ignore the buildings ReSTOC did save. After 1300 Vine Street erupted in flames from a fire built by two men sleeping in the vacant building to stay warm, the building once known as the Jimmy Skinner Building was no more than a pile of ash and bricks. When the city was ready to demolish the remaining building and start over, buddy and ReSTOC fought to save the building. With the help of community and a broad base of volunteers, the team rescued bricks from the rubble and worked to piece the building back together. The work needed to revitalize the building outlasted buddy’s life, but it continued. In 1999 the building reopened, built from many of the same bricks it had before the fire, and THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED provides 20 units of affordable housing to people just out of homelessness. Community members today know the building as “buddy’s place.” The first floor of buddy’s place is home to the Miami University Center for Community Engagement in Over-the-Rhine (CCE), founded by Dutton in 2002. The CCE brings together students, faculty and community members to collaborate on community efforts around social justice, human rights and designbuild projects for community centers and affordable housing. The Residency Program stemmed from the CCE and is celebrating ten years of engagement and learning in the community. Every fall, a multidisciplinary group of students from Miami University, led by Dutton and Bonnie Neumeier, take classes in buddy’s place in what some have called the “school of social life”. ------------------------ �STREET VOICE No. 34 2 | N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 MALIA PITTS (Continued from page 11) nation needs it, and the communities need it. “Democracy is about all of us being engaged in the hard work of making decisions. And the fact that our beloved congress is afraid of each other and often refused to engage the issues, the problems of our time is also a reflection of us that we let them get away with,” Sr. Simone said. Sr. Simone and The Nuns on the Bus believe that federal policies enacted since 1980, have exacerbated vast economic and social divides in our country. These divides are eroding the very fabric of our society today. “So what we’re trying to stir up, is to get everyone engaged. What is takes is relationship, courage, paying attention, and having a care for someone bigger than you,” she said. How did we get here? Sr. Simone stated it all started with the policies 13 of our nation. The good news is, if policies created the mess, policies can change the mess, but it requires all of us to work together to make that happen. “We’ve always been the place of the American dream, you work hard, you play by the rules, you get ahead. We still say that but it’s not true, and that’s what’s making our nation angry,” she said. During her presentation, Sr. Simone demonstrated a human bar graph with members of the audience, to show changes in income over the last 34 years. Between 1949 and 1979 everyone’s income went up about 100%. Due to policy choices that were made in 1990, that is no longer true. The human bar graph illustrated the shocking reality of how society is being driven apart by the income disparity of our nation. “Since this issue is about us, we need to look at who we are at this moment in terms of economic reality of our time,” Sr. Simone said. “We the people are better than this, we can A NEW BEGINING GOD IS GOOD, NOT SOME OF THE TIME BUT ALL THE TIME 24/7 I BELIEVE THAT BE THE REASON WE LIVE ON EARTH AND GOD LIVES IN HEAVEN LOOKING BACK ON MY LIFE AND THE SO MANY make a change,” she said. When asked to imagine how the city would be different if the gaps were mended, many of the audience m e m b e r s shared their opinions. C h e r y l Triggs, 42, b e l i e v e s Cincinnati would be more together and not so divided and separate like it is now. “ T h e r e will be more community passion, and Sr. Simone Campbell Presents Election 2016 more understandings Photo Credit: Malia Pitts of what people go successful federal programs are through,” she said. David Little, a spokesperson for protected and enhanced so as not to The Nuns on the Bus stated that, increase the current divides. “We are all a part of the problem,” “Cincinnati would be more utopian. Sr. Simone said to the audience. We would be more just, egalitarian and have more forward thinking,” “There is good news, we can all be a part of the solution. It’s going to take he said. While working to mend the all of us to help change the nation,” gaps, NETWORK will continue its she said. advocacy to ensure that current CHANGES THAT I WENT THROUGH LEARNING FROM REPEATED MISTAKES GOOD AND BAD UNTIL I LEARNED WHAT TO DO REALIZING TODAY KNOWING WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT PLUS THE METHOD TO USE I SEE NOW THAT HAVING KNOWLEDGE DOESN'T DETERMINE THE ROUTE WE CHOOSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVERYDAY ABOVE GROUND IS A DAY TO TAKE HEED AND LEARN I KNOW NOW THAT MY CHOICES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER I LIVE WITH GOD OR I BURN TODAY, KNOWING, UNDERSTANDING WITH THE REALIZATION THAT YESTERDAY IS PASTED PRAYING AND HOPING MY WORDS WILL LINGER IN YOUR MEMORY MAKING A CHANGE TO LAST IF YOU HAVEN'T PAID ATTENTION TO YOUR LIFE MAY YOU LOOK BACK AND SEE THAT A NEW BEGINNING IS WHAT'S UP FOR THE POLITICIANS AND THAT INCLUDES YOU AND ME WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ �14 PUZZLES N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 2 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 111 Across 1. Form 6. Adjoin 10. Exam success 14. Woven fabric 15. Money 16. Dull pain 17. Representative 18. Genuine 19. Sound of a contented cat 20. Foil 22. Fall vertically 24. Pull hard 25. Reported information 27. Person receiving support from an influential patron 29. Written evidence of payment 32. Type of tree 33. Speed competition 34. Borsch 36. Temperamental 40. Residue of a fire 41. Restorative 43. Compete 44. Evil spirit or ghost 47. Plant with pendulous flowers 48. Flowerless plant repuduced by spores 49. Large body of water 51. Deprive of freedom 53. High-pitched noise 57. Joust 58. Metal-bearing mineral 59. Edible fat 61. Short sleep 65. Departed 67. Female horse 69. Female relative 70. Notion 71. Level 72. Twist into a state of deformity 73. Student sleeping quarters, in short 74. Anything necessary but lacking 75. Kind of heron Down 1. Spline 2. A lofty level 3. Afresh 4. Voluntary self-punishment 5. Main course 6. Perform 7. Poet 8. Seize and take control without authority 9. Unverified explanation or concept 10. Worthless or oversimplified ideas 11. Instense 12. Gesture involving the shoulders 13. Twilled woolen fabric 21. Unforseen turn of events 23. Ode 26. Bobbin 28. Number in a brace 29. Reckless 30. Reverberation 31. Loose fitting cloak 33. Tatter 35. Aviator 37. Kitchen appliance 38. Desperate 39. Japanese currency 42. Faultfinder 45. Employ 46. Sediment from fermentation 48. Accessory to a larger system 50. Insightfulness 52. Rim 53. Of one substance throughout 54. System of principles or beliefs 55. Send or direct for treatment 56. Throw with great effort 60. Large woody plant 62. Approach 63. Unit of area 64. The dressed coat of a mammal 66. Woolen cap of Scottish origin 68. Conclusion PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 341 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 110 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 241 - MEDIUM SODOKU PUZZLE NO 240 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 34 2 | N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 Shelter: Women and Children Cincinnati Health Network OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road, Cinti, OH 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 131 E. 12th 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 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 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 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 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Housing: 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 241-2965 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 Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 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 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 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 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 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 for 26 issues $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Advocacy Health $100 Other Resources Hamilton/Middletown 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 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 Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 2401-, 2411 Reading Rd, Cinti, Ohio 45202 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 762-5660 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 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 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 981-5800 961-0600 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Central Access Point 381-SAFE Bethany House 557-2873 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 15 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 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 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary 859-491-3335 859-572-6202 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 N o v 4 - N o v 17 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 2 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 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 November 4-November 17, 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director Pg 3: Buddy Gray 20-Year Remembrance Story Collection Buddy Had a Most Unusual Ability to Keep Himself Focused Pg 4: Institutional Religion Couldn’t Contain Buddy’s Spirit We All Need to Be Working Together Pg 5: Someone Felt That I Was Important Enough to Remember My Name We Are Part of a Movement Freedom Train Pg 6: Buddy’s “Schooling” of Me in the Matters of Right and Wrong Forever Changed My Worldview What Did Buddy Know About These People That I Did Not Pg 7: He Knew We Could Be A Stronger Force If We United to Push for Change The Most Important Thing to Me Is That Buddy Never Left Pg 8: Photos and Poems of Buddy Gray Pg 9: Photos and Poems of Buddy Gray Continued Pg 10: Hutzel, Summers and Sohngen Continued Pg 11: It Is A Powerful Experience to be Awakened and Feel That You Belong Pg 12: What Happens in These Low-Income Communities Have A Relationship with What is Happening in the World 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 November 4-November 17, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Dick Crowley Lynn Williams Tess Sohngen Alice Skirtz Pat Clifford Barbara Poppe Bill Faith David Mann Andy Hutzel Jenn Summers Mary Burke Rivers Mike Wilkey Tom Dutton Steve Elliott Donald H. Whitehead Jr., Bonnie Neumeier Malia Pitts buddy gray Brewster Rhoads The People's Movement Collen Kelley Bill Woods Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alice Skirtz Andy Hutzel Barbara Poppe Bill Faith Bill Woods Bonnie Neumeier Brewster Rhoads buddy gray Collen Kelley David Mann Dick Crowley Donald H. Whitehead education Elections Jenn Summers Josh Spring Jr. Lynn Williams Malia Pitts Mary Burke Rivers Mike Wilkey Pat Clifford Photography Rehabilitation Steve Elliott Tess Sohngen The People's Movement Tom Dutton https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/91f0531e8121fe0d0e196c4ba46ab31b.pdf 993f1405361f61c24bd2d21f46a62af4 PDF Text Text December 16th - December 29th 2016 | Vol. 20 Issue 26 (No. 345) advocating justice | Building community End of The Year Annual Celebration | 2 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Call to (In)Action? | 3 Hidden Sunflower Medallions | 4 Winter Is Coming | 5 Walking the Walk & Singing the Talk | 7 Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.org Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL From the Director: End of the Year to reach beyond his personal situation and his personal struggle with homelessness to connect with many other people and take part in pursuing the systematic changes Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, necessary to end homelessness. We heard from Jaymel Reed, a advocating justice and building student at Aiken High School and community. Streetvibes reports on JOSH SPRING I Executive Director 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. know you’re probably hearing many people say it, but it really is hard to believe that nearly all of 2016 is over. As such our 2016 Annual Fundraising Dinner and Awards Ceremony is also over. On December 7th, like we do every year we gathered to end the year together by looking back over the struggles and successes of the past year and to look forward to our goals and strategies for the next. We also took the time to honor some of the hard working, committed and passionate people in our Movement. This year, as we have done the previous four years, we came together at the Newport Syndicate. For five years the Newport Syndicate has been both a friendly and giving 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 Jenn Summer and Amy Silver with friends and family Photo: Michael Flood Jaymel Reed and John Rieman-Klingler from Aiken High School Photo: Michael Flood host. We are very thankful for their continued commitment to our Homeless Coalition by keeping costs such that this can be a true fundraiser. Hundreds of people came to our dinner. We were so thankful to share the evening with our many Memberorganizations and their wonderful social workers, case managers, directors, managers, receptionists, accountants, planners, etc. (if I listed every person-group, the list would go on far too long). If that were not enough, we were able to spend time with our donors, volunteers, board members, partner school teachers, Streetvibes Distributors and partner organizations like Faith and Community Alliance, Black Lives Matter: Cincinnati and Miami University Center for Community Engagement (the risk in making these lists is that you inevitably leave somebody out, if I have done so, I apologize). We broke bread together, talked, listened, hugged, shook hands, danced, bid on auction items and generally enjoyed the company D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 5 of many friends. This year we highlighted the experiences of Sam Jackson a long time Streetvibes Distributor and speaker for our Speakers’ Bureau. WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com his teacher, John Rieman-Klingler. They both took part in our City-Wide Shantytown, Social Justice Walking Tour and Streetvibes Distributor Shadow. Jaymel explained how these experiences broadened his perspective and assisted him in relating to the larger picture including the systematic causes of homelessness and the solutions. John shared how powerful it is to see the lights come on in his student’s heads and the opportunity it provides for students who themselves have experienced homelessness to openly talk about it and further empower their classmates to learn. It is important to honor the hard work through struggle of our people. This year we gave the Jimmy Heath Streetvibes Contributor of the Year Award to Tess Sohngen who has 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: Key Beck Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Key Beck, Brooke Adams, Cassidy Venema, Maggie Woolf, Tess Sohngen, Dr. Mark Mussman, Robert Park, Jim Luken, Malia Pitts, Jason Haap, Bill Woods, Michael Earl Patton, Kim Green, Sonny Williams, Willa Denise Jones Photography/Artwork: Michael Flood, Wikipedia, Brooke Adams, Dr. Mark Mussman, Tim Kraus, Katz Painting, Bill Woods Jenn Summers speaking about how buddy gray inspired her Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Photo: Michael Flood Sam explained how the Coalition through Streetvibes and the Speakers’ Bureau offered him the opportunity given months to Streetvibes as an (Continued on page 3) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �LOCAL Call To (In)Action? No. 345 | D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 KEY BECK Contributing Writer “Y ou guys got to fight. It’s war. It's always been war. It's a struggle, it's always been a struggle.” Those were the closing remarks from Ta-Nehisi Coates at a speaking engagement at Xavier University this past November. The event titled, “Race In America” was an opportunity for local residents, students, staff, and community stakeholders to hear Ta-Nehisi Coates’ perspective of race in America. Simply put, it was an opportunity for our city to get some perspective on how race, class, gender (and I would’ve hoped) sexual expression play into structural systems of oppression from a Rhodes Scholar, New York bestselling author, and expert on race. The event was highly anticipated, so getting tickets required access to resources, networks, or at the very least, time and transportation. Many of the tickets were given away to students, but the hosts made several opportunities for community to get tickets from libraries, bookstores, and Xavier University. Inviting Ta-Nehisi Coates to speak at a community event was an opportunity to flex our city’s diversity and inclusion muscles, show our willingness to discuss tough issues, and bring attention to the many current issues of systematic racism/oppression in our city. Sadly, I think we only partially accomplished those goals, which is okay. I was hoping Ta-Nehisi Coates would cater his keynote to local issues like the hung jury of officer Ray Tensing, the national issue police-sanctioned violence, and judicial practice of acquitting officers accused of murder, for example. Instead, he focused his talk on the effects of the Post- and Pre- Civil War slave economy on our current economic and justice system. Don’t get me wrong, that is an important issue, but for many in the audience, myself included, this Ta-Nehisi Coates Credit: Wikipedia was a primer on race relations and partly covered in his book. It was an informative and lively event, so don’t take this as a complaint, but a positive criticism. The atmosphere of the event was juxtaposition of timid laughter and empowering call and response. There were many bouts of applause as he hit some of the highlights, which I always find confusing. Are we applauding racism or irony that we people of color are still fighting for equity decades after the abolition of slavery? There was an especially energetic applause when Ta-Nehisi Coates exclaims, “Race is the child of racism, not the father.” He eloquently explained, “Someone decides to do racist things then come up with the idea of race to justify it. I decide I want to take something from you and in order to justify taking something from you, I call you something.” This point was especially poignant for me as I thought about how many police officers have such a fear of black bodies based on images they create inside their heads. These images are so powerful that they rely on knee-jerk reactions to handle situations. Thus, you have cops who shoot first and ask questions later. It is in my opinion that Ta-Nehisi Coates’ statement could be applied to over-zealous cops and implementers of micro-aggressions. I watched on as a group of black students looked at each other and nodded in agreement to the points being shared, while a white student next to them uncomfortably shifted in their seat. So it was apparent that his words were having effects on the audience. I would be remiss to ignore the fact that Ta-Nehisi Coates did address the historical effects of slavery on our current economic system, the cultural and social implications of human ownership within society, and the connection between privilege JOSH SPRING (Continued from page 2) intern, including bringing together the edition marking the 20th anniversary of the death of buddy gray. The Jimmy Render award is given to a person who has experienced homelessness and since then has dedicated themselves to working for an end to homelessness. This award was given to Ron Hector of the Consumer Advisory Board to the Cincinnati Health Network. Talina Hill received the Streetvibes Distributor of the Year Award for her commitment to the cause of the paper as well as to her customers. This year we gave out two Julie Martin Service Provider of the Year Awards. This award is given to honor a person or organization who has provided Ron Hector receiving the Jimmy Render award Photo: Michael Flood exemplary services to people experiencing homelessness and has shown dedication to the mission of ending homelessness in Greater Cincinnati. As an organization, Bethany House Services received this honor because of their constant commitment to families with THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 3 and power and a diminishing working class. But, why did so much of this have to have a historical point of reference? I felt that many of us were hoping to hear a critique on the current system and hear some grassroots action steps, as evidenced by one of the audience questions during the Q&A. What can we do now to fight oppression and systematic violence? He never really addressed those questions, except telling us to fight and struggle, like we have always done. Should his closing remarks be seen as a call to action for the many disenfranchised folks, or should it be viewed as a hermeneutic exercise of enduring oppression? As I was leaving, many of the students were having conversations about the talk. They asked questions about the point of the lecture and who was the intended audience. Those are good issues to raise indeed. Maybe the purpose of the lecture was to lay a foundation for future work, so the historical perspective was needed to do the tough work. Or perhaps, it was meant to educate those who don’t see a connection between the struggles of the past and our current judicial system. Either way, I am glad that Ta-Nehisi Coates came to Cincinnati. It was needed and very necessary. While this wasn’t a city sponsored event, there were many organizations who helped sponsor the event. KnowledgeWorks, The Strive Partnership, Xavier University, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, YWCA, Christ Church Cathedral were the main sponsors of the event. They each have an arm that focuses on eliminating inequity in education, so it was welcomed to see them do some grassroots level work. I am excited that community organizations are coming together to support issues of diversity and inclusion. It shows that we are willing to acknowledge the many voices needed at the table to affect systemic change. It is showing that the city realizes the power of coalition building. It is also showing a willingness to include everyone in the community, not just the ones with economic power. children without homes. This year, when an area family shelter was due to close, which would have resulted in a loss of half of our family shelter capacity, Bethany House stepped up and began to do the hard work of running these beds, more than tripling their capacity. Amy Silver, a social worker at Over-the-Rhine Community Housing received this honor as an individual for her relentless and holistic commitment to assisting individuals and families in getting housed and staying housed. Finally, Jenn Summers of Peaslee Neighborhood Center received the buddy gray Lifetime Achievement Award. Presenter Bonnie Neumeier explained that when buddy died in 1996, Jenn was one of the people who stepped up to make sure the (Continued on page 10) �4 LOCAL Why are there sunflower medallions hidden around Over-the-Rhine? S trolling through Washington Park, a man and his wife find something strange hidden on the bench: a sunflower painted on a medallion. It fits in the palm of their hand but they cannot pluck it from the bench and drop it in their pocket -- it is zip-tied in place. Someone intended for this flowery token to be there, but why? The medallion was planted there by four Miami University students as part of a social activism project to draw attention to “hidden gems” within the Over-the-Rhine community. What the man and his wife cannot see upon discovering the flower is the special place it represents, a place important to the past and present community that does not receive enough recognition for the valuable role it plays in the neighborhood. There are six of these “hidden gems” throughout the neighborhood that can be discovered along with a story that tells of a current history being made. Along with the medallions, the students created a website where the stories of these places are told. However, these important places and stories are BROOKE ADAMS, CASSIDY VENEMA, MAGGIE WOOLF, AND TESS SOHNGEN D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 people and places in Over-the-Rhine have withstood the wave of change that has transformed much of the neighborhood. Their roots are firmly planted deep into the community, and they face optimistically toward the sun. Contributing Writers largely ignored or unknown by newcomers to the community and the Over-the-Rhine historic tours. Why are these places ignored? Perhaps because they represent a history that many would like to exclude from the new narrative of the community. These places -Rothenberg Preparatory School, the Drop Inn Center, Washington Park, Imagination Alley, Venice on Vine, and Our Daily Bread -- tell a story of gentrification, privatization of public property, and a breaking community. Some of these places (the Drop Inn Center and Washington Park) have already been victims of the changes in the community, while others (Our Daily Bread) are still fighting for their place in their community. Some will stumble upon the quest as the man and his wife had, while others will seek out these treasures. If you find one though make sure to share its story with others who then too can search for these hidden objects. Just be polite and leave them behind after you find them. The sunflower is one of the Sunflower Marker near the former location of the Drop Inn Center Credit: Brooke Adams most durable plants and stand tall against the greatest odds. They are not unlike the places they are tied to. Like the strong sunflower, many THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Visit the website for the stories: www.otrsunflowerchallenge.weebly. com �5 LOCAL Winter is Coming: Please Help the Winter Shelters No. 345 | D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 Bobby isn’t the only person in a position like this – in fact, the person who owned the pickup, also slept in it. And this person didn’t make it through the winter without losing his foot to frostbite. His whole foot, up to DR. MARK MUSSMAN L Staff Writer ast week, the Winter Shelter opened at the Shelterhouse for Men in Queensgate. The Winter Shelter is open to anyone over 18 years old who need a place to stay for the night, and will be open until the cold weather passes us by in February (I’m being hopeful) or March. There is always a need for donations for the shelter, and for the auxiliary shelter that is still open in Over-the-Rhine at Prince of Peace Church on Race Street. I am thankful that we can come together as a city and offer such services in the cold of winter. people who have felony convictions. We learned at the Poverty UnSummit that there are over 800 laws barring people with felony convictions from work in our state. For example, you cannot own your own construction company – no matter how good your skills are, or how badly you are treated by your boss. These laws, in combination with the inability to find stable housing, made life for Bobby completely unwieldy – until one day. A few years ago, Bobby met and fell in love with a young woman, and they had two beautiful daughters. Bobby began to devote his life to Snow on the Bridge Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Snow on the Riverbank Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Last winter, one of my good friends – let’s just call him Bobby – was having trouble finding a place to stay after dealing with some legal issues. Bobby, who I have known for many years, is a kind-hearted soul who just grew up in a very difficult situation. By the time he was 16, he was in prison and life was looking very bleak. 20 years later, still in prison, he ends up finding Yoga, giving him a new outlook on life. After leaving prison, he wanted to do everything “on the level” but Ohio has some of the most restrictive laws governing his daughters, making sure not to jeopardize their relationship, Bobby sought out legal ways to earn money, but due to his checkered past, was stuck subsiding on his SSI of $700 per month – barely enough to house the new family. This lasted for a couple of years, until he was busted for jaywalking and taken in for an outstanding warrant (from before he even met his girlfriend). This led to an immediate 6 months lock up, and in turn, his girlfriend and children were evicted, all his belongings were destroyed, and he was apart from his family for the longest time yet. When he was released, he had nothing, and his family moved to Kentucky and he couldn’t stay with them, so he ended up on the street. Last fall, we met up and talked about what he needed – a deposit and first month’s rent was the biggest issue. He knew that his record held him back from consistent work, and his inability to get a job was making it impossible for him to find a stable place to live. Bobby had lived with me before, but this time it wasn’t possible, so I tried to go through the avenues that I knew, but no luck. He couldn’t stay at the Shelterhouse because he slept at a friend’s house one night after staying there, and he was barred for sometime because he had found a place to stay one night. (This was before the Winter Shelter opened.) I talked to him about the Catholic Worker House, but without a job, he cannot stay there. We don’t have many options in Cincinnati, so he ended up staying in a pick-up truck throughout the winter with a man he met while sleeping in a doorway of an abandoned building. Even though it was close to his family, he wasn’t able to spend the holiday with his family because of the restrictions on her housing. mid calf, was amputated and during that time Bobby had to find a new place to stay. The last we spoke, many months later, Bobby was still looking for a place to stay with his family. This is just one of the many stories that people have to deal with in our country that puts convictions over compassion, handcuffs above housing, and replaces health with wealth. Until we decide that we cannot accept the legal system as it is – one that purposefully destroys lives at all costs rather than builds people up in the benefit of society – we will continue to pay more for incarceration than education. And to be honest, I’m not sure if it is having the desired effect – are people becoming rehabilitated or are they just forced to live in substandard housing, having lousy opportunities, adding to recidivism? What do we gain as a society when there is no hope? At the very least, we can hope that no one loses their leg this winter and families are able to spend the holidays together. It’s a hope, but not a reality, for far too many in Cincinnati. A Cold Night on the Ohio River A Cold Night on the Ohio River Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �6 LOCAL “The jobs aren’t coming back” D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 5 ROBERT PARK Contributing Writer T he talking heads who didn’t anticipate Trump supremacy have fallen back on their unshakable foundations and are proclaiming “the jobs aren’t coming back.” The people who made sure the jobs were going away – including most of the Democratic Party leadership – are now trying to justify their betrayal by arguing Marxist economic determinism: technology and fundamental economics have forced these transformations that are far beyond the control of hapless governments or dreamer, pie-in-thesky politics. This is really rich: we have the corporate liberals telling an elected President who claims to be wanting to fix a vexing problem that the working class is intimately familiar with, that he can’t do it. Dig your hole deeper, guys. If you’re saying he can’t do it, you sure won’t do it. Good-bye. Could it be done? Of course. This is about trade. About trade agreements. They all have provisions and enforceable requirements. That’s what the WTO – World Trade Organization – is all about: specifying and enforcing the rules that the global corporate lawyers have written into it. And they do enforce it. They go crazy over intellectual property rights (Microsoft, Apple, big Pharm,…). The problem is that they are the wrong rules. Trade is a huge economic powerhouse of incentives. It can make or break countries, political parties, poverty. Here’s what the rules could look like and how they could be enforced. 1. Environmental standards Water and air pollution regulations, manufacturing practices. Storm water management for land protection, water conservation. Explicit goals and time-frames with different levels specified for advanced vs. developing economies with a timetable for eventual harmonization. 2. Sustainability standards National policies and laws to keep the coal and oil (and fracked gas) in the ground; promotion of renewables., esp. geothermal, wind, passive and photovoltaic solar, efficiency; agroecology and permaculture to rebuild farm land, increase productivity and sequester CO2. 3. Clear guarantees and protection on civil and human rights. 4. Corruption standards Publicly funded, transparent elections; comprehensive bribe prevention and disclosure; minimum requirements for publicprivate partnerships. Tax reform: progressive income taxes, securities transaction taxes, and uniform corporate tax requirements. Protection of free speech, internet access; severe controls on state and private surveillance data-mining. 5. Labor standards Protected right to organize unions; labor law with minimum procedural requirements for union democracy and accountability, and stringent prohibitions on employer interference. Minimum living wages. Explicit goals and time-frames with different levels specified for different countries and with a timetable for harmonization. These rules would level the playing field, increase production 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 costs in slave-labor countries, greatly reduce out-sourcing and actually bring jobs back. Some companies are already coming back because of rising labor costs in China and other impediments in their business plans. Most importantly, the working classes of developing countries would be a whole lot better off because the obscene profits going to crony capitalists and their global collaborators would be severely redirected to the workers. Internal markets would flourish. The corporate lawyers writing trade agreements don’t want this to happen. Obviously, this process would start off from where things are now. The transitions would have to be feasible and politically viable. Each country would present a unique basket of interests, limitations and possibilities. The way to drive it forward would be for a block of progressive states to establish a preliminary set of rules and form a very favorable trading arrangement that would be an inducement for other countries to follow. Even corrupt, hopelessly entrenched elites would be under extreme pressure to conform in order to participate or else face mounting isolation and unrest, not to be suppressed with any (Continued on page 12) �LOCAL Walking the Walk & Singing the Talk Streetvibes reviews the new CD by Just Earth No. 345 | D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 T his reviewer has been seeing (hearing) a lot of good music lately. On Saturday, December 10th I was privileged thanks to the generosity of OTRers Bonnie Neumeier and Mike Flood to attend the Judy Collins concert at Ludlow Garage. Judy had been a favorite of mine in my twenties, and she wowed the audience. Judy spoke of her famous relationship with recently deceased Leonard Cohen, telling the audience that Leonard had existed “just in time,” i.e., the night before the election. She mentioned his latest album, “You Want It Darker.” “Well,” she quipped, “it's gonna get darker.” Then she dropped the subject. The following Sunday afternoon, I attended a Special concert at Urban Artifact in Northside. The concert was celebrating the release of a new CD, two years in the making, by a local group, Just Earth. In her opening remarks, the group's founder Paulette Meier talked briefly about the “dark” days that we are facing. But she explained that the music on the new CD could help to lift us up. The group's name derives from their desire for an Earth that is, to put it simply...just. “And the name reflects the fact the Earth is just about all we have,” Meier said. The concert that day proved amazingly professional while feeling refreshingly informal. A few mistakes and restarts were needed, but they happened with a lightness and friendliness that made human and real, even funny. The eleven mostly original songs had been written over the past several dozen years by Paulette and guitarist/singer Jamie Fota. They (four others) made up the play list of the CD, “One Planet, One People, One Future.” JIM LUKEN Contributing Writer Just Earth Album Cover had gone into this complex nuanced album. 11 musicians participated that afternoon, playing drums and Congas, electric and acoustic guitar, violin, cello, piano, trombone, trumpet, melodia and harmonica. Lots of musical variety, sometimes hard driven and brash, counterpointed by songs of quietude and subtlety, a capella harmonies mixed in among the big band sounds. All the more amazing was the overarching reality that each of the songs reflected the group's primary mission: to bringing their time and The first song, exquisitely performed without accompaniment by the primary four members of the group, told the story the “Diggers,” a commune movement of 1649 in England. Dedicated to the ideal of a classless society, the Diggers settled on privatized land and held it in “the common good.” The movement of course was put down by the powers that be. What would we expect when the Diggers sang lines like: “the sin of property we do disdain.” The next number, entitled “Power” was not about the thirst for 7 “Litany,” written and sung by Ms. Fota, was a desperate plea to godlike Mother a feminine protector/ sustainer. “Mother listen to our plea, help us return to sanity.” A hard driving electric guitar gave the song an eerie modernist urgency. Ms. Meier wrote the song, “I Want to Know,” which deals with living in the consumer driven world. “I want to know,” Meier sang, “where all the things that I use come from. So I can know to whom I owe my gratitude.” Simple words, profound idea. “We were born to love and love is what we are here for” is the beautiful refrain from the song, “Born to Love,” movingly accompanied by violin and cello. The notion of our being born to love seems way too easy for us to forget, even at Christmastime. The final two songs were rabble rousing as well as just rousing, “The Race to the Bottom” is a kind of negative cultural anthem, which was underpinned by the sound of a bluesy trombone. “Where labor costs are low, as corporate profits rise” went the refrain. Who would doubt that we are in a kind of rat race to the bottom indeed. And, as the old saying goes, the rats are winning. For now. Just Earth closed its concert with a song that brought a few folks to their dancing feet. “Put the Old Ways on the Run” involved all the players onstage. “And we've only just begun to undo the damage that was done.” So clear to everyone filling the venue was the fact that (maybe now more than ever) the damage is still being done, and to undo it will take effort, and maybe a large helping of risk from all of us. Full disclosure: I have been friends with several of the group members for many years, Paulette in particular. These folks have been doing this kind of hard core activist singing for forty years or more, seldom rewarded by any more than our gratitude. Out in the streets at protest events, time and again, they have led us in song, and rallied our spirits at vigils and action. For me there is comfort in knowing that they have been with us, year after year, artists and artisans, faithful to the yoked causes of justice and Peace. Thank you, Just Earth, for your lifelong true grit. I encourage you to go to Paulette's website: paulettemeier.com. CD Pre-release celebration at the College Hill Coffee Company Credit: Tim Kraus It had taken the group two years to put the material together, with the help of a young, professional sound engineer Sean Kelly. We concert goers could see and the work that talents to bear on issues and ideas that might contribute to a more peaceful and saner world...and to its admittedly fragile future. power, but needing the power of the sun and the wind and the flowing water. Sustainable energy. Lifeblood of the planet. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED You can get a taste of the wonderful music and hopefully buy a CD. Through all the tumult and the strife I hear [their] music ringing I finds an echo in [our] souls How can [we] keep from singing. --redaction of the old Quaker hymn �e 8 LOCAL Brittany Katz on her work of art D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 5 MALIA PITTS Contributing Writer B rittany Katz, 28, is a local painter who has a reputation of creating brilliantly painted canvases of young color and doodling everywhere,” said Terri Collett, Brittany’s mother. “I went out to Walmart one day and went crazy in their arts supplies sec- liked it that way,” she said “Everyone would always try to invite me out and get me to do other things, but I was content with painting and being in living room, painting his sunsets and scenery and the best part is when he would let me add my touch wherever I wanted. I would always add streaks of bright colors,” she said. Brittany’s parents always encouraged her artistic abilities, motivating her to continue her craft in college. After getting accepted into the University of Cincinnati DAAP program for Fine Arts, Brittany was Credit:Katz Painting women using emotional expression. Over the years, she has sold over 100 paintings and plans to continue her craft, one canvas at a time. Born and raised in Loveland, Ohio, Brittany was fascinated with art at a very early age. When she was four, her mother introduced her to painting, and she hasn’t put the paint brush down since. “She was always fascinated with tion. When I brought the supplies home and saw how excited she was and how fast she used everything, I knew right at once I had a little artist on my hands,” she said. Growing up, Brittany was a quiet, shy girl, who used art to express her feelings. When most kids were outside hanging out or looking for trouble, Brittany says she avoided it. “I didn’t have many friends and I Credit:Katz Painting my room full of art. Yes, I was one of those kids,” she said smiling. Her love for art was passed down by her father, Val Skurow, who used painting as a hobby when he wasn’t working full time as a hotel manager. “He was more of a landscape painter. He would spend hours in the Credit: Katz Painting THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED exposed to a variety of challenging studio experiences that helped furnish her skills and technique. “I loved college because it helped me become more open with my work Credit: Brittany Katz (Continued on page 9) �9 NATIONAL New York City criticised for failing to get a grip on its record homeless population No. 345 | D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 REENA KARASIN COURTESY OF ISPARE CHANGE NEWS / INSP.NGO A record-breaking 60,000 homeless individuals sought refuge in New York City's homeless shelters over autumn - a deluge that is drawing attention to the city's handling of its homeless citizens. nities (LINC) rental assistance programs subsidise rent for individuals or families in a number of situations. LINC, which provides support for families who are working full-time, requires that families pay 30 percent of their income in rent. A family of four could receive a $1,119 monthly A homeless woman sleeps in an alcove on 7th Avenue in Times Square in Manhattan, New York. Credit: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri subsidy. While New York City prohibits landlords from discriminating against applicants based on source of income, Simone says that people in the LINC program have been turned away nonetheless. The coalition is calling for greater enforcement of the anti-discriminatory law. LINC has also promised landlords a $1,000 signing bonus since October 2014 and offers them financial protections if the tenant fails to pay rent or causes damage to the unit. But even these steps do not ensure that all LINC beneficiaries can find housing, given the city's housing shortage. "Even if you have a landlord who is completely on board with the voucher program, if you have dozens of applicants there's still one apartment," Simone says. "We can't just voucher our way out of the homeless- ness crisis - we simultaneously need to be building our way out of it and increasing the housing supply with real affordability levels." DHS also offers services to prevent homelessness, many of which are part of the Homebase program. With 23 locations, Homebase is designed to keep New Yorkers out of the shelter system - a move that, Simone notes, saves individuals from experiencing trauma and saves taxpayers money. Homebase presents an array of services including eviction prevention, job search assistance, and financial counselling. The city has recently dedicated extra funding to legal services that help prevent against evictions, Simone explains, but adds that the coalition would like to see the initiative expanded to a legal right to council in housing court for people at or below 200 percent of the poverty line. Despite the high number of homeless individuals in the city's shelter system, the DHS says in a statement that Mayor Bill de Blasio's programs made that number about 7,000 fewer than projected. "We said five months ago that it would take time to reverse 20 years of policies and that the number of people in shelter might continue to grow," Commissioner of the Department of Social Services Steven Banks said in a statement. He added, "Our current programs have substantially slowed the rate of growth in homelessness. And we will keep working to strengthen our efforts to prevent homelessness." Simone says that the city has plans to expand Homebase. DHS did not provide comment. "We know how to help [homeless individuals], but we just don't have the resources to help them," Simone says. "We really need both the city and the state to do as much as they possibly can to tackle this crisis, because we know what works to solve homelessness, and we just need our elected leaders to embrace these proven solutions by focusing on housing." and painting worked as a catalyst to help bring my emotions out,” she said. “So, I began creating images with acrylic, of woman using emotional expression, specifically emotions that run through me at the time and onto the canvas,” she said. After college, Brittany continued her work of art, this time displaying her work for the world to see. From Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr and EBay, Brittany used the internet to help sell her work and build a respectable, credible image. “Women from all over the city were messaging me, requesting paintings, and buying online. I was excited of course, but then I realized that I used painting all these years as my personal escape, when there are millions of women who go through things in life and my paintings represent that, my paintings represent how their feeling,” she said. Currently Brittany, now married with two children, still paints her work of art. She now has her own art studio, a renovated attic in her home her husband made for her. She hopes to pass her artistic skills down to her children one day, like her father did to her and continue to make a name for herself in the art industry. “Painting has always been a passion of mine,” she said. “I love the way it gives me the freedom to express my feelings without having to say a word. My girls watch me paint just like how I used to watch my dad and man it’s a great feeling to see them so fascinated just like I was,” she added. Homeless John Stewart caresses his dog Cuddles as he sits on 14th Street. Stewart has been homeless for two and a half years and can't find a bed in a shelter because he refuses to give up his dog who he has had for 20 years. Credit: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri The city's affordable housing crisis is the primary cause of the increase, according to policy analyst for New York City's Coalition for the Homeless, Jacquelyn Simone. The median annual housing cost in New York City in 2014 was $15,780, according to U.S. Census data. High housing prices lead almost half of the city's residents to spend 30 percent or more of their income on housing. "There isn't really any affordable neighbourhood in New York City anymore," Simone says. "When you have a crisis like that, an affordable housing crisis, it's just a matter of time until somebody falls behind on their rent and ends up in the shelter system. It can happen to anyone." The city's Department of Homeless Services (DHS) offers a suite of programs designed to help individuals in shelters relocate to permanent housing. The six Living in Commu- MALIA PITTS (Continued from page 8) and finally be able to talk and discuss art with other students who were just like me. I didn’t feel out of place and my best work was made during that time,” she said. From her knowledge and skills, she gained from DAAP, Brittany discovered her personal touch when it came to painting. “I noticed that I always had a hard time expressing my emotions THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Contact: Brittany Katz (513) 2571663, Terri Collett (513) 253-8459 �10 LOCAL Mansplaining T he topic I'd like to address is almost impossible for someone like me to talk about. I'm liberal, but I'm also a white man. Liberal ideology has become strangely hostile to white men who say things that don't align with the leftist dogma, with dissent categorized as a result of sexism, racism, and white privilege. This outright attack on divergent viewpoints is utterly non-productive, and it distracts us from the problems of real sexism, real racism, and real white privilege - none of which are the case simply because a white man has an opinion. Here's why the topic is so tricky: if I come across like a white man who feels oppressed, then I become laughable. White men are still firmly entrenched in our country's power structure. White men, as a group, are not disenfranchised. I know that. But my involuntary membership in a specific group should not disqualify my brain from forming politically oriented thoughts. Let's consider the issue of abortion for a moment. (For the record, I'm pro-choice. Apparently, if my opinion matches what liberals believe, then it's not because of my white male privilege.) Gallup has been tracking opinion trends on abortion since 1995 (actually since the 1970's but the chart I'm referencing now JOSH SPRING (Continued from page 3) work kept moving forward, notably coordinating the efforts of ReSTOC (now a portion of Over-the-Rhine Community Housing). She kept ReSTOC on solid ground, including the completion of buddy’s place. Jenn has continued to commit her life to the cause of fighting homelessness and poverty. D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 5 JASON HAAP Contributing Writer goes back to 1995), and in 2015, the pro-choice numbers squarely took the lead for the first time since 2008. However, it's not like the issue is blown out of the water. It's a close call, and it has been a close call for a number of years. In 2015, 54% of women were prochoice compared to 46% of men. That year marks one of the widest gaps but there have been years when more men were pro-choice than women: in 2003 (49% of men compared to 48% of women), in 2005 (49% to 47%), in 2007 (50% to 48%), and in 2010 (47% to 42%). Male support for abortion hit an all-time low in 2012 (38%), but it has been increasing since. Here's the bottom line: there are a whole lot of women who are prolife. If a white man talks about opposing abortion to a liberal woman, he will likely be accused of sexism, or in the very least of "mansplaining" (more on that word in a minute). This is weird, though, since such a man would be in agreement with a statistically significant portion of the female population overall. (Please note that I'm not commenting on whether it's appropriate for a bunch of white male legislators to be in charge of writing laws concerning women's health issues. I'm just talking about an average white Joe having opinions on the issues of the day. The legislators and Joe may share a race and a gender, but that's hardly Joe's fault.) Usually, Republicans are the ones who master the propaganda of wordchoice. Just think about how, for years, the word "liberal" was largely considered a bad word. But with terms like "mansplaining," progressives have boarded the propaganda train. There might legitimately be a problem with men over-explaining things condescendingly to women, but that doesn't mean men should be disallowed from explaining their thoughts. It seems like white guys who disagree with liberal woman are now just written off as sexist mansplainers who need to be put in their place. When I think about all these dynamics, I try to step back and to consider the view from 30,000 feet, In short, we are thankful. As an advocacy organization, we do not receive governmental funds and therefore rely on the giving of our donors, the dues from our Members, the tables they purchase at the dinner, the schools who pay for Speakers’ Bureau events and those who buy Streetvibes. Being funded this way allows us to speak freely. A Coalition is a group of people and organizations coalesced for a focused goal. Ours is to eradicate homelessness. The dinner provides a beautiful opportunity to see so many people in one room that together with those who could not be there, make up our growing Coalition. The final action we take as a Coalition before the end of the year is to take part in National Homeless Memorial Day. On Wednesday, so to speak. If we, as liberals, are collectively going to support this trend - accusing white men with differing opinions of sexism, racism, and of being perpetrators of white privilege - then how can we be surprised at the growing number of extreme white male positions on the right-side of the political spectrum? We are attacking them on the basis of involuntary group membership, which would only highlight the traits of said group. When any group feels essentialized and under attack, it is natural to form a bond over the presence of the attacked traits. I'm not saying that white maleness is under some sort of existential threat, but the group psychology is similar to other groups that have been oppressed. So I think this emerging liberal position encourages white men to bond with one another on the basis of their white maleness. Then, this same liberal mindset further attacks these white men for those bond formations, further solidifying them and causing them to really identify in terms of their race and gender. As a liberal, that is the exact opposite of what I want to happen. But I can't help but wonder how many readers will think I'm just mansplaining right now from my position of privilege. December 21st we will gather at 5:30 pm in Washington Park to honor the people who died in 2016 because of homelessness. The systematic problem of homelessness ends lives early and we will use this time to further commit ourselves to the cause of ending homelessness. Please join us. Bethany House services receiving the Julie Martin Service award Jenn Summers and Amy Silver with the awards they received Photo: Michael Flood Photo: Michael Flood THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL No. 345 | D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? BUILDING A REFORM AGENDA FOR 2017 W here do we go from here? That's the theme of a hastily organized public forum sponsored by a local reform coalition. Stunned by the recent election, the organizers see a need for citizen activists and reformers to begin planning a reform agenda for 2017. This Forum takes place on Friday December 16th, 12:00 noon at the Mt. Auburn Community Methodist Church, 103 William Howard Taft Road. Reformers faced daunting challenges no matter who won on November 8th. The results, however, of Trump plus Republican control of both the House and the Senate create Sisyphean labors for those concerned about renewing the democratic process. It once seemed that the appointment of one new Justice to the Supreme Court could lead to the overturn of the five to four Citizens United Case of 2010. Such a quick solution to a decision that opened up the floodgates for unlimited Super PAC and BILL WOODS Contributing Writer Fat Cat campaign spending now seems like an impossible pipe dream. When all the donations are tallied, 2016 will undoubtedly set a new record for campaign spending. In the Ohio U.S. Senate race alone, Ted Strickland collected $10-million, while Rob Portman raised $24-million. Controlling the warping impact of "big money" on campaigns will certainly be part of the agenda of the upcoming Forum, but no simple answers or silver bullets will be available to latch onto. One possible bright spot could be the potential of reforming Ohio's extremely gerrymandered Congressional Districts. Such a reform was successful in 2015 when voters handily approved an Ohio Constitutional Amendment that reformed state legislative districts. Catherine Turcer, Policy Analyst for Common Cause, will speak about this new potential at Friday's Forum. She has been participating in recent meetings in Columbus where attendees are at work drafting a Constitutional Amendment proposal to take to Ohioans in 2017. Besides focusing on redistricting reform and what to do about "big money" in politics. Forum participants dare not leave out the subject of voting rights. One of the fallouts of the Presidential campaign was all the suspicion raised about rigged elections and millions of illegal voters. According to the polls, Trump's untrue rantings have actually convinced a large number of Americans that rigged elections and illegal voting are major factors in U.S. politics. These false charges could lead to new efforts in Ohio and other states to make it more difficult for people to vote. Another topic on many people's mind is reforming the state winner take all electoral college system. Hillary Clinton now leads Trump by three-million in the popular vote. If the reverse had happened, and 11 Clinton had won the electoral vote, Trump may well have urged his supporters to take to the streets to oppose a "rigged election." A Constitutional Amendment would be required to change the current process. Forum organizers feel that the historical clock is ticking in terms of getting citizen activists and reformers to begin thinking about and fashioning a reform agenda. Although faced with enormous institutional and societal obstacles, the goal of renewing democracy in this country looms as an even more critical need after the fall campaign. The country is polarized. An anti-establishment feeling grips the country, and citizens are losing confidence in representative democracy. It's time to start rolling those reform boulders up the hill again! The sponsoring coalition includes the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, the Woman's City Club, the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, Common Cause/Ohio, the League of Women Voters, the Peaslee Neighborhood Center, and Applied Information Resources. For further information about the Forum, call 381-4994. The Income Squeeze MICHAEL EARL PATTON M Contributing Writer ost of us have experienced a “squeeze” in income since the start of the Great Recession in 2008, or know someone who has. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) does surveys of income and expenditures and separates households by quintiles – lowest 20% income, next 20%, and so on to the highest 20%. The BLS also does the consumer price index (CPI), used to measure inflation. Data go back a few decades. However there was a change in how the BLS did the surveys in 2004. This change captures more income, so that is the date from which I start in the charts below. Looking at the below chart (Household Average Annual Income -- Not Adjusted for Inflation) things don’t look too bad. There is a small dip at the start of the recession but then income starts going up again. But this is not adjusted for inflation. Once that is done the chart changes. I am using CPI-W data, which is the index used to adjust Social Security payments for inflation (the “W” stands for urban wage earners and clerical workers). The index that is normally reported in the press is CPI-U, which measures inflation for urban consumers. They wind up being very similar, however. The next chart, Household Average Annual Income -- 2015 Dollars (Adjusted for Inflation) shows that the household average annual income peaked in 2006 and then generally declined until 2013, at which point it started rising strongly again. The National Bureau of Economic Research normally is the group which declares when recessions begin and end. To do this it looks at economic activity -real GDP (Gross Domestic Product), real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. They concluded that the Great THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Recession in the United States started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. This chart, however, suggests that its effects on income continued for several years past that. The chart below shows the household average annual income by quintiles. (Continued on page 12) �12 JIM LUKEN (Continued from page 7) All income quintiles were affected by the recession, but it looks as if the top two quintiles have recovered better than the bottom two. It is very important to note also that in general the households in the top two quintiles have incomes which considerably exceed their expenditures. That is not true for the bottom two quintiles, where their expenditures generally exceed their incomes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that when households expend more than they earn the difference could be due to such factors as living off of savings or taking out loans. Taking out ROBERT PARK (Continued from page 6) help from the block. Each aspiring country would have to undergo a public negotiation with the block on how they would make adjustments to conform to the rules. The rules would evolve with practice and public evaluation. Probably the most powerful club of enforcement would be based on reporting of violations from citizens on the ground. Workers would report labor and environmental violations. Public media would be crucial. It would be crowdsourcing-standardsprotection and violator identification. Reprisals against whistle-blowers LOCAL loans to go to college is in fact quite common, Another possibility is that some of these households are being subsidized by other family members – parents, for instance. For clarity I am just going to give the lowest two quintiles in the next chart. This will allow more detail to be shown. Note that until a couple years ago, households in both quintiles were losing ground. And since their expenditures were already greater than their incomes, the squeeze was getting tighter. The past couple years have seen an improvement, but still the households are, in general, worse off than what they were before the and violation sleuths would be fatal for governments seeking admission to, or continuing membership in, the block. The block would have protected legal rights of discovery and investigation in cooperation with citizens. Interpol (the planetary cops) would be turned upside-down. Another source of violation reporting would be the intelligence services of the block member states. Instead of tracking and monitoring pathetic terrorists, devastated immigrants and dissident citizens, they would be examining financial behaviors, environmental data and rights violations of predators in the member states and wannabee member states. D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 5 start of the Great Recession. Looking at these charts it is not surprising that the two major unconventional candidates (Trump and Sanders) did so well. Candidates who basically promised more of the same, or who appeared likely to more or less continue the same policies as have been in place for the past two decades (Clinton), had an uphill battle regardless of other attributes. I have looked for factors other than the overall economy that may explain these trends. I did not find anything significant. I thought maybe changes in household size could explain it, but household size is basically unchanged in 2015 compared to 2004. The definition of income seems comprehensive enough. It includes wages, salaries, self-employment income, investment income, Social Security, pensions, disability income, unemployment pay, and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits (food stamps). The percentage of lower income households with at least some college education has actually increased over the past 10 years. It seems, then, to be the economy. This has certainly changed with increased outsourcing, leaving many former factory workers to compete with immigrants for lower wage jobs. Others have gone to college, but if that has had an effect it has not been enough to turn things around. I want to make a suggestion here. When major changes are planned such as trade treaties, outsourcing, and tax policies, business and political leaders should first evaluate the effect of those changes on people who are already struggling to get by. If the proposed changes make their situation worse, then please change the plans. Don’t just judge changes by the average effect, and certainly not just by the effect on those who are already well-off. Look at the most vulnerable in society first. There is much more to unpack in the BLS data, some of which will be covered in other articles. The world’s enormous intelligence monster would be repurposed to defend standards and rules that work for the people, tracking shipments, interviewing plaintiffs, data-mining commercial reports, news stories, horror stories. Sounds like the European Union? Well, no, the EU is run by corporate lawyers. If it operated in pursuit of the standards proposed here, it wouldn’t be collapsing around the German commercial fortress. Greece, and Spain and Italy would be thriving. Can this work?... Sure. Will this work? No…, not with Trump or Hillary and their friends running things. For one thing, the U.S. is in violation of all of the above standards, esp. labor rights. But what if we had the revolution that Bernie started? With progressives taking control of Congress? We could reach out to Iceland and maybe all of Scandinavia, for a start, and then maybe Spain, France, Greece, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Nepal, Bhutan, New Zealand, Namibia, Tunisia, .. who knows? Canada might get in ahead of us. The block would have enormous visibility and appeal to people everywhere. Parasitic elites would fall left and right. Radical Islam would disappear. So would racism. The planet might be saved. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �13 STREET VOICE No. 345 | D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 The Darkness of Day To the Water Protectors at The Darkness of Day is so shallow Standing Rock, North Dakota There’s no means of stopping it Why is the darkness so black To Sophia Wilansky, I feel her pain. To lose an arm from a concussion grenade at Standing Rock. The Morton County Police are tools of the Rich Man’s Like a deep hole Rule. Uncertain of the depth it will unfold Justice for Standing Rock. The darkness of the day is there Justice for Sophia Wilanksy! How is it dark when it’s in the day Is the darkness in the day the same As the darkness in the night Just seen through a different light KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer SONNY WILLIAMS Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer CAN YOU Can You shut ‘em down? Does the world believe that this is the world’s solution? Can you shut ‘em down? Keeping factories open with no work, now that’s pollution Can you shut ‘em down? The free clinics, people homeless, no more Drop Inn Center Can you shut ‘em down? Washington Park, the sanitation workers, I can’t help but litter Can you shut ‘em down? Over-the-Rhine was white then it was black, I thought we were all together Can you shut ‘em down? I’m confused so tell congress I really thought they knew better Can you believe in your heart that the decisions of our country are either republican or democratic? Can you believe that out of all the people in the world two simple parties be worthy of so much static? Can you close your eyes to the reality of the fear that has such a tight grip on our nation today? Can you keep living shut down and shut up? I’m baffled but not lost for words I can honestly say For me, learning to live without doubt or fear in my life and keeping God so close to my heart I have no doubt that without God’s blessings this world is doomed to fall completely apart With much faith and without any regards for the republicans or democrats controlling my being Without any doubt what so ever today I know that almighty God is the only real thing So can you shut ‘em down? Now slow down and take the time to think, what do you really understand? You need to come back into the days of Adam and Eve and remember when only God ruled the land! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 114 Across 1. Animal 6. Jewel 9. Ursine mammal 13. Planet 14. Pasture 15. Work out 16. On the move 17. Hard tough wood 18. Tripod 19. Principal theme in a speech 21. Heavy fire of artillery 23. Pitch 24. Kind 25. Health resort near a spring 28. Finishing line 30. Interfere 35. Sapidity 37. Baseball glove 39. Broadcast again 40. Boundary 41. Part of a flower 43. Female relative 44. Sports venue 46. Aromatic herb 47. Prevaricator 48. Erase 50. Orderly 52. Free of moisture 53. Small branch 55. Chart 57. Teller 61. Living environment 65. Part of a church 66. Imitate 68. Express mirth 69. Gape 70. Beverage 71. Follow as a result 72. Ripped 73. Consume 74. Souvenir Down 1. Bill 2. Comfort 3. Showily imitative 4. Smallest American sandpiper 5. Pharynx 6. Great merriment 7. Snakelike fish 8. South American dance 9. Watercraft 10. Other than what is under consideration 11. Report or maintain 12. Depend 15. Long-haired hunting dog 20. Heavy footfall 22. Limb 24. Scene 25. Lieu 26. Military chaplain 27. The world's highest waterfall, ___ Falls 29. Having patches of different colors 31. Bargain 32. Pre-Christian priest among the Celts 33. Relating to the moon 34. Access 36. Segment of DNA 38. Story 42. South American cud-chewing animal 45. Clothing of a distinctive style 49. Female animal 51. Pill 54. Very angry 56. Musical instrument 57. Actors in a play 58. Singing voice 59. Celestial object 60. Swift long-eared mammal 61. Form of energy 62. Long tooth of a walrus 63. Chills and fever 64. At that time 67. Small vegetable D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 | N o . 34 5 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 244 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 343 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 113 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 243- MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 345 | D e c 16 - D e c 2 9, 2 0 16 Shelter: Women and Children Cincinnati Health Network OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road, Cinti, OH 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 131 E. 12th 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 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 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 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 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Housing: 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 241-2965 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 Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 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 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 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 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 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 for 26 issues $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Advocacy Health $100 Other Resources Hamilton/Middletown 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 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 Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 2401-, 2411 Reading Rd, Cinti, Ohio 45202 5 E. 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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 December 16-December 29, 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director Pg 3: Call to (In) Action? Pg 4: Why Are There Sunflower Medallions Hidden Around Over-the-Rhine? Pg 5: Winter is Coming Pg 6: “The Jobs Aren’t Coming Back: Pg 7: Walking the Walk & Singing the Talk Streetvibes Reviews the New CD by Just Earth Pg 8: Brittany Katz on Her Work of Art Pg 9: New York City Criticized for Failing to Get a Grip on Its Record Homeless Population Pg 10: Mansplaining Pg 11: Where Do We Go from Here? Pg 12: Jim Luken 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 December 16-December 29, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Key Beck Brooke Adams Cassidy Venema Maggie Woolf Tess Sohngen Dr. Mark Mussman Robert Park Jim Luken Malia Pitts Jason Haap Bill Woods Michael Earl Patton Kim Green Sonny Williams Willa Denise Jones Michael Flood Wikipedia Tim Kraus Katz Painting Bill Woods Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Bill Woods Brittany Katz Brooke Adams Cassidy Venema Dr. Mark Mussman Jason Haap Jim Luken Josh Spring Katz Painting Key Beck Kim Green Maggie Woolf Malia Pitts Michael Earl Patton Michael Flood New York City Over-the-Rhine reform Robert Park Sonny Williams Tess Sohngen Tim Kraus Wikipedia Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/71e129c02f844c75d5abb920652a906c.pdf 310eda52a19117f726902a0851e26b40 PDF Text Text June 3rd - June 16th 2016 | Vol. 20 Issue 12 (No. 331) advocating justice | Building community Judge Nathaniel Jones Answered the Call | 7 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Learning about life as a Palestinian | 7 Collaborating with the Enemy| 4 Final Community Issues Forums of the 2015-2016 Season | 2 Acting and Action: To See or Not to See | 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 From the Director: The City’s Budget Should Be Transparent June 3 - June 16, 2016 | No. 331 JOSH SPRING T ransparency in government is paramount if that government is really going to be of the People, by the People and for the People. I have been studying the annual budget proposed by Cincinnati’s City Manager. The budget draft is made available online and I assume a hard copy could at least be picked up at city hall by anyone. Perhaps the manager’s office or the clerk of council would also mail it if requested. That said, if you take a look at the proposed budget (capital or general fund) I don’t think a strong argument can be made that it is fully transparent. Accessibility has to be a part of transparency. The budget certainly would be confusing to most people, not to mention it is 533 pages long. Furthermore, often you cannot have a full understanding of a particular revenue or expense item without deeper historical or contextual knowledge and sometimes even then more explanation not available in the document is needed. Of course it makes sense that any budget is going to be most understood by those who wrote it and administer it. And it is okay if a budget requires those people to explain portions of it to others. But here is the trouble in having the city’s budget be as inaccessible as it is: we as Cincin- advocating justice and building Executive Director natians don’t, nor should we just trust the authors of the budget. The inaccessibility of the budget allows room for certain items of spending and revenue to be hidden from public eye. Sure, the dollar amount may be noted directly or through extraction, but that doesn’t mean the explanation or label in the budget fully explains what it is. It is true that residents do not get involved in our local government anywhere remotely as close as they should be. But some of that has to be due to the fact that government is often seen as confusing, inaccessible, untrustworthy and generally not a part of daily life. However, I’ll bet that if Cincinnatians could study a version of the budget that was transparent, many Cincinnatians would have significant concerns and frustrations. And people would have solutions to offer as well. So how can the budget be more accessible? There are public hearings which do serve as a positive place for Residents to voice opinions. And at these gatherings, the city manager walks through an often very dry presentation of the budget draft. One step would be to take some questions from Residents to be posed to the city manager and then have the city manager give them a response. The manager could have a meeting with a couple community. Streetvibes reports on representatives from every community council. City council could solicit specific responses from every community council regarding the budget. The number of pages in the document could be reduced through eliminating blank pages, redundancy, etc. Each department could have a representative present at the manager’s meeting with community councils. Paper copies of the budget could be made available at all recreation centers, libraries, parks and public schools along with the listing of public hearings. Community council leaders could attend a general gathering to better learn the layout of the budget and then share this knowledge with those in their neighborhood. The budget could be laid out in a way that would be more quickly understood by the average person. In short, the city’s budget is not very accessible. There is good reason to believe this is intentional so as to keep Residents from seeing “too much,” asking “too many” questions, and challenging “too much”. The budget should be put together in order to encourage and empower Resident leadership. I wonder how people would feel if they lived in a city where they truly felt they had a lead role in the city’s budget? ------------------------ What Would It Take To Seriously Reduce Poverty Series Ends with the Final Community Issues Forums of the 2015-2016 Season BILL WOODS T he Community Issues Forum ended its 2015-2016 season with the final two forums of the “What Would It Take To Seriously Reduce Poverty” series. The Peaslee Neighborhood Center hosted the May 5th Forum where attendees heard how Overthe- Rhine residents organized an effort to save a basketball court and green space from elimination by a new development of expensive, upscale housing. The final Forum on May 19th featured small group discussions of initiatives that could really make a difference in reducing Cincinnati’s high poverty rate. The first five forums in this series dealt with systemic ways of reducing poverty, while the Peaslee Neighborhood Center session focused on how people at the grassroots level can organize to take 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 Writers: Contributing Writer developments that threaten their quality of life. The lives of residents living in low income neighborhoods and neighborhoods in transition are often disrupted by commercial and housing projects that ignore their needs, and organizing citizens to either shape or oppose these developments is often an effective process for providing the powerless with the necessary clout to protect their rights. Jennifer Summers and Jennifer Arens of the Peaslee Neighborhood Center led a panel that described the background of the current grassroots initiative to save the public land across the street from Rothenberg Elementary School. The property, 76,000-square feet of City owned land, houses basketball courts, a community garden, and green space. “The Save the Courts” Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Michael movement was launched over a year ago when residents heard about the proposed project that would eliminate this community space. A developer, NorthPointe Group, sought to use this land to build four single family houses costing $500,000 apiece. The initial deal was for the City to sell the property, now under the auspices of the Recreation Department, to the NorthPointe Group for one dollar (and with a long period of tax abatement thrown in). This high end project would take away the recreation area of residents who live below or just above the poverty line. News of the project triggered a series of community meetings, cookouts, rallies, demonstrations, and one presentation at a City Council committee meeting. Young peo- (Continued on page 4) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Earl Patton, Caroline Cory, Dr. Mark Mussman, Camri Nelson, Ricardo Taylor, Ann Mitchell, Willa Denise Jones, Kim Green Photography/Artwork: Caroline Cory, U.S. Government, Dr. Mark Mussman, Camri Nelson, 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. �3 LOCAL No. 331 | Ju n e 3 - J u n e 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 Hiroshima in Context MICHAEL EARL PATTON P Contributing Writer resident Obama visited Hiroshima recently, which is where in August 1945 the United States dropped the first atomic bomb to be used in war. He did not apologize for our using the atomic bomb either here or at Nagasaki a few days later. But his visit was seen as an implied acknowledgment that what had happened here was somehow different than the ordinary course of World War II. Most people with whom I have talked about the subject say that using the atomic bombs was the right thing to do to force a quick end to the war. The moral equation used is straightforward – fewer American and even Japanese lives were lost because of the overwhelming display of power. I will address that aspect later. I want to put Hiroshima in the context of some other military events of World War II, conventional ideas of what makes for a justified war, and treaties on the conduct of war that were in force at that time. Because of length, I will cover the context in this article, and justified war and treaties in a subsequent one. My purpose is not to excoriate the United States but to see what we can learn. And there is an obvious need for us to do so. Our record of military interventions over the past twenty or so years is not one of unending success. “Truth is the first casualty of war” is an observation that is almost self-evident, so much so that it is not certain who first said it. I want to start not at Hiroshima in 1945, but the bombings of Rotterdam, London, and Berlin in 1940. After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, there was a brief pause followed by the invasion of Norway. Then Germany invaded Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg on their way to invading France. The Dutch resisted more than foreseen, valiantly defending the port city of Rotterdam. They saw their cause was hopeless and opened negotiations to surrender the city. Nonetheless, on May 14, 1940 German bombers attacked and destroyed the historic city center, killing over 800 civilians. The resulting shock, and the inability to defend against bombers, caused the Dutch government to surrender the country. It is important to note here that the Dutch policy had been one of strict neutrality and that as such, they had refused to coordinate their relatively small military with that of the allies. In June France surrendered. The German Luftwaffe continually attacked military targets in Britain. The large-scale air offensive against Britain began on August 15 with the intent of destroying the Royal Air Force. German air attacks at first were against military and industrial targets, such as docks, airfields, and factories. On August 23 a dozen bombers made a fateful error and instead of hitting industrial targets on the outskirts of London, struck the center of London instead. The British thought this was deliberate and sent their bombers to Berlin in retaliation. For over a week they dropped their bombs on the city at night. This was large scale, indiscriminate bombing. The Luftwaffe continued to target military and industrial installations and was making progress against the RAF. However, pressure was mounting on Hitler to retaliate in kind for the nightly British bombings of Berlin. On September 7, 1940 the Germans began their first massive bombing of London. In doing so, they left off the pressure on the British aircraft factories and airfields. This is all described in William Shirer’s classic book, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. His observations as a war correspondent in Berlin during the bombings are in his book Berlin Diary. As we all know, the German change of strategy was unsuccessful, to put it mildly. In fact, it was a disaster. British aircraft production was put in order, their airfields repaired, and American sympathies for our intervention grew. Remember that Pearl Harbor wouldn’t happen until December 1941. The stage had now been set for the air bombing campaigns of the war. As Allied air power increased, more German cities came under attack. As described in William Manchester’s The Arms of Krupp, bombing the houses of the factory workers did not reduce the production of armaments in those factories. Though there were strategic attacks on such things as railroad bridges and factories making critical components such as ball bearings, often the factories themselves were safer than the surrounding communities. The purpose of the bombing was to sap German moral, which it completely failed to do. German war production continually increased until the final few months of the war when transportation and supply networks broke down. Much of the intact factory equipment, however, was dismantled after the war and used for reparations. Getting back to Japan, it had bombed the cities of Nanjing and Canton in China in 1937 and caused massive civilian casualties, most notoriously in Nanjing. The nationalist government in Nanjing did not surrender but retreated. During the war the United States firebombed dozens of Japanese cities, including Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians were killed. The rationale used seems to have been a little different than with the Germans. In the case of Japan many small factories were nestled within residential areas. Those houses were extremely flammable, being constructed of wood, bamboo, and paper. Setting the whole area on fire would surely affect Japanese war production, or so it was thought. I have not been able to verify the effect the incendiary bombings had. The firebombing of Tokyo on March 9, 1945 was the single deadliest air raid of the war, deadlier than Dresden, Hiroshima, or Nagasaki. Japanese war production was definitely declining well before its surrender, but that may have been due to disruption of the shipping of supplies from the mainland. Japan itself, unlike Germany, is a very resourcepoor country. Fuel especially was in short supply. Germany, on the other hand, had huge coal reserves. By the summer of 1945 Japan was isolated, desperate, and ready to surrender. But they wanted to keep their emperor Hirohito, and some Japanese leaders wanted no occupation and no war crime trials. The United States had stated that they would accept only an unconditional surrender. After the bomb Hiroshima mushroom cloud Photo: U.S. Government was dropped on Hiroshima, the Soviet Union attacked Japanese positions in Manchuria and Korea. The war was clearly lost, and a communist uprising inside Japan was a real fear. Such uprisings had happened elsewhere and the Communists, of course, had assassinated their Czar and his entire family during the First World War. The Japanese dropped all conditions except the protection of their emperor, which the United States accepted. See Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick’s book and documentary series, The Untold History of the United States for more information. Generals MacArthur, Eisenhower, and Arnold; and Admirals Leahy, King, and Nimitz; all thought that dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not necessary. The destruction of so many of their cities had not caused them to surrender, why would the loss of two more that had little military value? I myself wonder how things might be different if instead of Hiroshima, the first atomic bomb had been dropped instead on the naval base of Kure. Kure is just 10 miles south-west of Hiroshima. There most of the last of Japan’s large military fleet had been anchored, mainly due to lack of fuel. The remaining large ships were sunk during massive raids on July 24 – 28, or just a week before the bombing of Hiroshima. The Allies lost 133 aircraft during the raids. If instead of the conventional bombing raids the atomic bomb had first been dropped there instead of at Hiroshima, we would be having a different discussion today. The following countries engaged in massive aerial bombardment of civilians during the Second World War, in chronological order: Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, and the United States. In no case was it an unambiguous success. In the cases of Germany against Britain, and the Allies against Germany, it may have even led to a strengthening of resolve to continue fighting. War production in Britain and Germany continued to climb during the bombings. Interestingly, I did not come across any mention of the Soviet Union doing such bombings. The Japanese bomb- THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ing of Nanjing led to wide-spread condemnation and did not cause the Nationalist government to surrender. Allied bombings of Japanese cities during WWII may have affected war production there more than in Germany, but it is hard to discern because the greater effect was probably the disruption of Japanese supply lines from the mainland once we had destroyed most of their navy and the rest was ineffective due to lack of fuel. In context, the dropping of the atomic bombs appear to have had little effect on the Japanese ability and willingness to continue the war. I think this is important because I see a dangerous movement from time to time threatening to use the atomic bomb for peace, based on its supposed usefulness to bring Japan to surrender. Its possible use against Iran (“all options are on the table”) is perhaps the most common of such threats. Overwhelming force and shock doesn’t seem to have that effect, unless the opponent is relatively weak anyways and inclined to neutrality as the Dutch were at Rotterdam. And if that is the case, then there is no reason to use such weapons. One thing that I think we did right at the surrender of Japan is that we allowed Hirohito to continue as emperor, although he had to renounce any claims to being divine. Being still alive and his life not under threat, he was able to order his troops to lay down their arms and surrender. Holdouts were only few and isolated. Similarly, although Adolf Hitler committed suicide before Germany surrendered, he had transferred power to Admiral Doenitz. It was Doenitz who surrendered Germany to the Allies three weeks later. At Nuremburg he was sentenced to 10 years in prison following a proper trial. This is in stark contrast to what happened in Iraq and Libya following the captures and executions of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi. Besides the urgency of selfdefense, what other principles – if any -- should we invoke when fighting a war? I will attempt to address this in my next article. ------------------------ �4 LOCAL Collaborating with the Enemy Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 CAROLINE CORY H Contributing Writer ave you ever worked with someone to whom you cannot completely relate? Does the thought of collaborating with a difficult person upset you? Can you remember a time when you handled a situation poorly due to your own reactions or the actions of a co-worker? These are just a few of the points raised at a Monday evening lecture held at Christ Church Cathedral. Members of the Cincinnati community gathered inside the cathedral’s sanctuary on May 23 to better understand the problems an individual can overcome when collaborating with someone they may not prefer. As part of the church’s Taft lecture series, ‘Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don’t Agree with, Like, or Trust’ was a discussion led by author and international facilitator Adam Kahane. He centered the conversation around the three books he has penned, along with other observances and discoveries he has made throughout his career. Kahane used five main points to identify factors that may hinder the collaboration process between two individuals, with the first of these being the mere idea that, “You need to collaborate.” He cited that not all circumstances require collaboration but simply the use of communication instead, among other substituting methods. Moreover, Kahane elaborated by discussing the differences between the options provided to individuals which can be seen in any situation. “We always have these three options for moving forward: adapting, forcing and collaborating and it depends in part on the balance of power,” he said. “When we don’t have any power with us in a situation, all we can do is adapt.” He continued to explain the options in relation to the involvement of power by citing its hand in how individuals handle a situation whether adapting, forcing or collaborating is used. “When we have the power and have things the way we want them to be, in most cases, we force. We push through it,” he said. “We push things in the way we want to be and collaboration is actually what happens when we can’t prevail and this is important because it suggests that collaboration is actually a second-best option. It’s what you do when you can’t have it your way.” Another point made regarded the difference between thinking in black and white where thoughts are controlled in analyzing concrete patterns and observances as opposed to thinking in shades of gray, which can be described as the reasoning behind a situation, such as a more specific way of seeing a situation. “So, if the black in my thinking is, ‘you need to collaborate,’ the gray in my thinking is, ‘you actually need this repertoire of adapting and forcing and collaborating,” Kahane said. The second point is that “you need to rather dialogue than fight,” which describes the process used when discussing and talking out an obstacle and its problem over choosing to fight over it, which ties into the third point of both parties involved being able to identify both the problem and the solution of a circumstance. Direction also plays a part in understanding collaboration and the methods behind progressing in a productive way, leading to Kahane’s fourth point of how it is necessary to know where you are wanting to go, such as an end goal or ultimate resolution. “I think the difficult question is what to do when the other person has all the power but doesn’t want to collaborate,” Kahane said. The final point made in what can hinder collaboration was feeling a need to change the world, meaning that not all collaborations need to be done on a large scale — they can be used in day-to-day situations also. Even though Kahane is currently based in South Africa, his work has taken him all over the world and these conversations can also be applicable right here in the Queen City. From assessing poverty, hunger or access of affordable housing to obtaining employment, furthering educational needs or improving life skills, collaboration is important in analyzing these items for all individuals in the Cincinnati area. BILL WOODS rum panelists invited the audience to join them in what Jennifer Arens describes as “one small fight against the crushing feeling that poor folks have to lose in order for economic wealth to be invested in their communities.” The wrap up Forum on May 19th began with several of the previous speakers highlighting their views about reducing poverty. Elizabeth Brown, former Executive Director of HOME, stressed the loss of affordable housing units and the necessity to both increase such housing and rent assistance programs. Agreeing with Brown that adequate affordable housing is essential for reducing poverty, Josh Spring of the Homeless Coalition also emphasized the need to promote a minimum wage that comes close to being a “living wage” for all workers. He noted that so many people who go to work every day are still living in poverty. Citing “The Save the Courts” initiative, Jennifer Arens pointed to the need for citizens to support low income people when they organize to preserve or improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Finally, Ross Meyer of the United Way urged Forum attendees to come up with some recommendations to present to the Child Poverty Collaborative that is currently looking for the best approaches for making a significant dent in Cincinnati’s high child poverty rate. These brief presentations were then followed by small group sessions to brain storm some specific recommendations. Affordable housing emerged as a priority for all four small groups. Both increasing the supply of units and providing more rental assistance such as housing vouchers were promoted. At the local level, inclusionary zoning that includes a mandatory percentage of affordable housing in large developments was recommended. A second priority that was touted by three of the four groups was pushing for a livable wage for low-income workers. A start, said one group, would be lobbying at the local level for a higher minimum wage. Promoting more jobs connected to adequate training was another recommendation. Addressing existing racism as a cause of poverty was brought up by two of the groups, and one group focused on the incarceration of young Black males as a major factor causing economic hardship for many AfricanAmerican families. Two groups advocated for quality preschool programs that would be free and available to all children of low-income families, while support for the ”Preschool Promise” initiative was voiced by one group. Beyond specific recommendations, two groups focused on changing public attitudes. Not only do people need to be educated to see the real causes of poverty, but they need to be prepared to support public programs and needed tax increases to pay for safety net services. In fact, one group clearly stated: “we need to create the community will to change the inequities in our society.” (Continued from page 2) ple, their parents, OTR-residents and activists organized and took part in these events. Attendees at the Forum watched a video produced for “Save the Courts” that featured the art work and writing of neighborhood children who are involved in this effort. Although Forum attendees were heartened by the tenacity and pluck of the Save the Courts initiative, they were also told that victory or even some type compromise is far from assured. This grassroots movement needs support from other concerned groups and citizens in Cincinnati. Fo- Adam Kahane speaking at Christ Church Photo: Caroline Cory ------------------------ -----------------------Group discussion at community issues forum Photo: Caroline Cory THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Acting and Action: To See or Not to See 5 No. 331 | Ju n e 3 - J u n e 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer I ’ve been running the numbers on our education program and I’m impressed with the work that the Homeless Coalition does each year. We have had hundreds of engagements including speaking engagements, Streetvibes Shadow activities, trainings, social justice walking tours, Final Friday’s at buddy’s place, and other education events. Sometimes I feel that the purpose of the events are so simple: to humanize homelessness and show people how Affordable Housing has a positive impact on our community. But, in reality, due to extreme bias against people in poverty, people of color, and other marginalized groups, our education program is met with opposition in some of the least likely places. I really enjoy working with people in our community. I feel empowered when I discuss difficult topics such as gentrification because when you break it down for people, it becomes something that is easily understood. I’ll admit that it’s taken me a long time to understand how the process of vilification of poverty and displacement are carried out on such a large scale. I have been experiencing it as a member of the community for years – I remember when I taught GED classes, I had a student who lived in the Pendleton neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine. I saw that the Model Group set its sights on creating “Broadway Square” by purchasing several buildings and I knew the student would be displaced. It doesn’t matter if Model Group bought the building, or if 3CDC plans a takeover of a block, but it’s the collective will of developers who decide to make changes in the neighborhood. When 3CDC takes over Ziegler Park Photo: Mark Mussman 3CDC moved north of Liberty last year, developers were scrambling to get on the gravy train and bought up all of the buildings. This same push happened in Pendleton a few years ago. I asked the student if they had made plans for when they are kicked out, and the student responded that it would never happen because “my landlord owns the building, grew up in the building, and would never do that to us.” Within a month, the student stopped showing up for class, so I called and called, and finally got in touch. “My landlord sold the building!” the student exclaimed. What it is like for a single mother to pick up everything and move in less than 30 days, I cannot imagine. What it meant from our side, was that the student (who was very close to passing the GED) missed too many classes to continue the term, and had to restart a month later – after finding a new place to live, in a new neighborhood. The landlord did care about the Community gathering spot is removed along with the community. Photo: Mark Mussman “Breakdown Stereotypes” tenants and helped them pay for their rent for a couple months, but that is very rare. This occurred a few years ago, but it is happening around us as we speak. When we look at the reimagined Ziegler Park, we can see that the housing surrounding the park will be bought up and transformed from affordable to market rate housing. The precedent was set with Washington Park, and now Zeigler, which was a heavily used park by people in the neighborhood, and will now be transformed into a privatized area, with 24/7 private security. Some people will say “it’s safer now” after it is redone, but the question I ask is “safer for who?” Black and Brown bodies are constantly patrolled by police and private security. We know the system has, and continues, to destroy their lives by criminalizing the same behaviors that white people get away with behind closed doors. In Over-the-Rhine, the sidewalks are our front lawns, the parks are our backyards, the alleys are our shortcuts, and when each of these spaces becomes privatized, on top of our housing becoming market rate, then we have no place here. The legacy of racism lives on in Cincinnati. 75% of African-American kids live below the poverty line. Income inequality based upon race is so real that the median income for whites is more than twice of what it is for people of color. But even though we live in poverty it doesn’t mean we have no value, no culture. Just because the people in Ziegler Park couldn’t afford $8 craft beers doesn’t mean they don’t have a place in our community. This is a concept that developers and some educators don’t understand. This is part of why the Coalition’s education program is so important. We need to relate to the concrete ways in which people are being displaced and forced into homelessness to help people understand the full scope. We need your help by telling your stories, supporting the Coalition through Community Shares or Kroger Community Rewards, making a donation for the education program online or through mail, attending our events, and liking us on Facebook. Book a speaker at your next event, take the social justice walking tour with some friends, or get a group together to do a Streetvibes Shadow activity. Whatever you do, don’t sit back and say “that’s someone else’s job” or “it’s not that bad!” One person displaced should be enough to get you to act. ------------------------ Basketball Court "temporarily" turned into private Permit Parking lot. Will 3CDC rebuild a basketball court? Photo: Mark Mussman “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 �6 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED June 3 - June 16, 2016 | No. 331 �No. 331 | Ju n e 3 - J u n e 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 LOCAL Judge Nathaniel Jones Answered the Call CAMRI NELSON A fter serving 32 years as one of Ohio’s District Court Judges, Judge Nathaniel Jones recently published his book, Answering the Call, an autobiography that addresses the challenges to ending racial discrimination in the United States. “What is the call, and what is the answer to that call?” Judge Jones asked a crowd during his speech at the Joseph-Beth Bookstore on May 26th. He states that “the call” was a result of a meeting in New York on February 12th 1909 that convened to discuss the state of race relations in the country. At this meeting The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was formed. “It became the principle engine that pulled together to address the problems that were identified in the call,” he said. As the NAACP General Counsel, Judge Jones became a well-known civil rights activist and helped push reforms that helped better the lives of blacks in the United States and in South Africa. Because of his great work, many people urged him to write a book about his life and the efforts that he made to try to end racial discrimination. One of those people was the Dean of Law at the University of Cincinnati, Joseph Tomain. When Dean Tomain had initially requested that Judge Jones turn in papers related to his civil rights work to the law school, he claimed that he didn’t have anything valuable to offer. However, one day after having a heated debate about government during a Good Samaritan board meeting, Judge Jones realized that he did have some valuable documents. After returning home from the meeting, he went to his attic and found boxes, upon boxes full of documents. He then called Dean Tomain to tell him about the documents that he had discovered. To his surprise the dean had organized a black-tie dinner at a hotel to review the papers that he had turned over to the school. What surprised him most that night was the comment that the speaker, Nelson Mandela, said to him. “He said, ‘You helped make this possible. At that moment I came to realize that the moralizing aspects Contributing Writer Audience at Joseph-Beth Bookstore Photo: Camri Nelson of my life might be of some use,” he said. The weeks following that event, he began looking for other authors to help him start on his book. Dean Tomain suggested that he meet with Roger Wilkins, nephew of Roy Wilkins, the head of the NAACP a few years back. When the judge proposed his idea of writing a book to Wilkins, he encouraged him to do it. He told him that the book must be written in his own words and not from somebody else. When he returned home he was introduced to a local editor who began helping him work through the process of writing his story. They spent many hours recording him talk about his earlier parts of his life. The editor would ask him questions like “who are you”, “where are you from”, “who are your parents and where are they from?” Other questions were about his childhood and his neighborhood. CAMRI NELSON O “By going back I was in a context that allowed me to relive and regurgitate things,” he said. After they were done with recording they transcribed the tapes, created a manuscript and began editing. Judge Jones wanted to make sure that narrative was clear and rational. He wanted to make sure that he “spilled his guts” and didn’t leave any details out. In the book he discusses a time when he stole a cupcake, when he was denied the right to organize an event for his fraternity and when he was discriminated against in college. He also talked about the discriminatory laws that were put in place during the 1960s such as segregated pools, movies, and roller skating rinks. He even discussed his relationship with lawyers that he met growing up and how they helped inspire him. In July Judge Jones will receive the Spingarn Medal at the 2016 NAACP convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is a prestigious award that is given to an African American who has had outstanding achievements. Some of the few people who have previously received this award are George Washington Carver, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, and Martin Luther King Jr. ------------------------ Judge Nathaniel Jones speaking about his autobiography Photo: Camri Nelson Learning about life as a Palestinian n May 14 the Clifton Mosque welcomed guest speakers the Nakba Tour, two women who told their story about life before and after the massacre. Eighty-six year old Mariam Fathallah and 22-year-old Amena Ashkar are two Palestinian refugees who currently live in the Lebanese refugee camps. Fathallah has lived there since she was 18 and Ashkar has been there her whole life. Life before the Nakba massacre in the district of Accra, Palestine was great. According to Fathallah, both the Palestinians and the Jewish 7 Contributing Writer European settlers lived happily together. They worked together selling fruit, visited one another, and even supplied each other with medicine. “We didn’t have a problem with the secular settlers, we had a relationship with them. We didn’t even have a way to differentiate between each other,” said Fathallah. That bond quickly changed after the Palestinians began to hear stories about the massacres in the surrounding villages. They became fearful that they would end up in the same predicament so they began to isolate themselves. However, it wasn’t long before it happened on their land. One day a group of Palestinians were traveling through the settlement in their fruit trucks when they were stopped by a group of settlers. The settlers ultimately attacked and killed them and burnt down their trucks. Two other truck drivers who happened to pass by the trucks returned to the village and told the story. “People were extremely upset because they couldn’t believe that the settlers would do that to them. They had such a great bond, it was so unexpected,” said Fathallah. Many Palestinians fled from THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED their villages after this incident. Some of villagers were fishers so they escaped on fishing boats into the sea. Others lived in mosques, schools, and streets which Fathallah said was very painful. In order to get the Palestinians off the streets, the United Nations started moving them into the refugee camps. However, the living conditions were terrible. The land was covered in sand, families had to share tents, there wasn’t any electricity, there was a limited water supply, and bathrooms were shared. Every four or three days the camps were bombed by Israelites. Fathallah recalls that when the aircrafts first started bombing, people would call each other over to hide in the cement buildings. Her house was so close to the street that they saw (Continued on page 11) �8 NATIONAL Health and homelessness: “You can’t be well if you’re sleeping on a sidewalk” June 3 - June 16, 2016 | No. 331 AMANDA WALDROUPE Street Roots The fact that safe, stable and affordable housing is an essential factor for a person's good health is increasingly acknowledged among housing and health care providers, policymakers and advocates. It is a conviction John Lozier has held for decades. Lozier is the founder and executive director of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, a national nonprofit and membership organization that provides comprehensive health care to homeless people at primary care clinics the council either established or partners with. The council was founded in 1986 and since then, its network has grown to include more than 10,000 doctors, nurses, social workers and advocates. The council provides support, training and mentoring to more than 200 public health centers and hundreds of organizations throughout the country that receive grant funding from the federal government's Health Care for the Homeless program. Encouraging people experiencing homelessness to become actively involved in their health care is one of the council's most important accomplishments. The council was one of the first organizations to have a consumer advisory council; membership is entirely made up of homeless people who have received care at a clinic supported by the council. In its trainings and work with clinicians, council staff emphasize case management and close relationships between providers that ensure effective referrals and continuous care. It also helps homeless people regain their sense of humanity, Lozier said. "It's a great thing that desperately poor people and their providers are able to work so closely and so lovingly together," he said. Lozier will retire at the end of this year. He spoke with Street Roots about how providing health care to homeless people has evolved and what still needs to happen to help the country's most vulnerable citizens, including creating universal care. Amanda Waldroupe: When you started the organization, how radical of an idea was it to create a program specifically designed to provide health care to homeless people? John Lozier: It was an important initiative. The approach evolved from interest in the Robert Wood Johnson foundation [a private foundation dedicated to improving health and healthcare for Americans]. They established some demonstration programs that sought to establish something very simple - which was probably a radical idea at the time - that homeless people can be effectively engaged in primary care services. There were 19 original projects, and we served tens of thousands of people. John Lozier, founder of American non-profit National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Credit: Street Roots We've understood from the beginning that housing is the core problem. Housing is health care. You can't be well if you're sleeping on a sidewalk or in a crowded shelter. One of the main things that has happened is that we have refined those understandings. When we think about violence, we think about trauma and traumainformed care. And we think about cultural humility, an increasingly important approach to health care for the homeless. A.W.: It seems largely accepted that homelessness is a public health problem - not a public safety one, for example. But it took a long time, even, for public officials and the public to understand how much harm - physical, mental and otherwise - can be caused from being unable to get a full night of sleep. J.L.: Right. Sleep science is another place where our knowledge base has increased really dramatically in recent years - even more recently than the awareness about trauma. I think I would have to take issue with homelessness being a health issue. It's predominantly an economic issue. It has to do with the lack of affordable and appropriate and available housing for people, which in turn drives health problems. In 1987, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences published a report called "Homelessness, Health and Human Needs." It found that there are three relationships between homelessness and health. One is that poor health causes homelessness, for two reasons. One reason is economic: Most personal bankruptcies are health care bankruptcies. The other has to do with symptoms of illnesses and people who get squeezed out of housing. Secondly, homelessness, in turn, causes more health issues, with exposure to diseases in shelters and vermin on the streets and violence on the streets, and exposure to the elements. The third is that homelessness complicates all the elements and all the things you need to do to treat people. Add those up, and it's a major public health problem. A.W.: You talked about how our understanding of the health issues faced by homeless people has been refined. What do you think caused that refinement of understanding to take place? J.L.: Science is part of it. The science has evolved. That's not unimportant. Brain chemistry, neurology, the understanding about the effects of trauma in particular has gotten much deeper in the last decade. For us, a more important part of it has been asking people who have experienced homelessness to help define the issues. Our focus on violence, for example, achieved a new clarity for us when the National Con- THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED sumer Advisory Board put together a survey it does for people experiencing homelessness and across the country on violence. Almost everyone on the streets had witnessed violence in the course of their homelessness. A.W.: By involving homeless people so much - asking for their perspective, their input, their opinions - is to genuinely treat them as human beings, something I think a lot of people forget because of their appearance, because they live outside. J.L.: That's true. Yes. We have tried to involve our patients at every stage of our work, and that starts with outreach and really being sensitive to people's situations in the exam room. Much earlier in our career we talked about patient-centered care and goal setting. It goes on and on to patient satisfaction surveys to consumer advisory boards, which operate on a consensus model, so that their voices carry every bit as much weight as everybody else's. A.W.: I was reading the council's most recent quarterly newsletter, In Focus, about the importance and effectiveness of case management. The reason good case management is so effective is that it creates a one-on-one relationship and treats homeless people with compassion and respect. J.L.: Absolutely. It's not just compassion. It's respect. Those two together are what makes the difference. A.W.: How so? J.L.: Just feeling sorry for somebody - one way to express compassion can be condescending, for lack of a better word. But feeling respect for somebody is an expression of justice. It's an expression of understanding. It's an expression of the quality of all human beings in the face of our mortality. It's giving a fellow human being his or her due. We're not about charity. We're about justice. Ultimately, that bleeds over to our understanding of what health care reform still needs to be. It needs to be universal. At best, with the Affordable Care Act fully implemented, there's still 27 million who are uninsured in this country. A lot of those will be homeless people who for one reason or another aren't eligible or not enrolled. That goal we set for universal health care coverage and accessibility to quality care still remains elusive. A.W.: You've advocated for many years that housing is an essential part of health care, yet the funding for housing and health care are entirely distinct. How do you think health care programs, like hospitals or Medicaid, should use some of their funding to ensure their patients live in affordable housing? J.L.: Not enough is happening yet, but we are beginning to see some glimmers of the understanding that housing is health care and that it is a wise health care investment to make sure that patients are adequately housed. Some managed care organizations are spending their money on housing, or a less profound but equally important intervention like respite care. New York (Continued on page 11) �WORLD No masking Trump's popularity at Chinese Partytime Factory No. 331 | Ju n e 3 - J u n e 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 9 XIHAO JIANG NATALIE THOMAS INSP / Reuters There's no masking the facts. One Chinese factory is expecting Donald Trump to beat his likely U.S. presidential rival Hillary Clinton in the popularity stakes. At the Jinhua Partytime Latex Art and Crafts Factory, a Halloween and party supply business that produces thousands of rubber and plastic masks of everyone from Osama bin Laden to Spider-Man, masks of Donald Trump and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton faces are being churned out. Sales of the two presidential candidates are at about half a million each but the factory management believes Trump will eventually run out the winner. "Even though the sales are more or less the same, I think in 2016 this mask will completely sell out," said factory manager Jacky Chen, indicating a Trump mask. The firm was already beginning to stockpile the Republican candidate's mask, he said. Just like with the sales of the $4-$5 masks, Trump is now running nearly even with Clinton among likely U.S. voters ahead of the November election, a Reuters/Ipsos poll from May 11 showed. That is a big turnaround for the real estate billionaire once considered a fringe figure in the race, but now the Republican Party's presidential nominee. Trump has been less than positive in his comments about China, asserting that the world's number two economy had waged "economic war" against the United States, and used crafty business practices to steal American jobs. China has largely refrained from responding to Trump's barbs, but Finance Minister Lou Jiwei described him as "an irrational type" in an interview in April. Such issues are far removed from the Trump mask production line at the factory in Zhejiang province, south of Shanghai. Asked if he knew whose face he was making, 43-year-old worker Liu Dahua told reporters: "It's the president of the U.S., right?" ------------------------ The manager of Jinhua Partytime Latex Art and Crafts Factory wearing a mask of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump poses as he presents products to reporters at his factory's showroom in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, May 25, 2016. Credit: REUTERS/Aly Song A worker paints a mask of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Jinhua Partytime Latex Art and Crafts Factory in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, May 25, 2016. Credit: REUTERS/Aly Song A worker checks a mask of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Jinhua Partytime Latex Art and Crafts Factory in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, May 25, 2016. Credit: REUTERS/Aly Song THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �10 LOCAL June 3 - June 16, 2016 | No. 331 Now Hiring Caracole Caracole.org - Social Work Supervisor - Case Manager - Resident Assistant Cincinnati Union Bethel cinunionbethel.org - Payroll and Benefits Specialist - Special Needs Assistance - Family Service Worker - Teachers - Assistant Teachers - Cook Center for Chemical Addictions Treatment catsober.org - Dietary Supervisor - Nurse Manager - Two Staff Nurses - Controller - Patient Aide - Assistant V.P. Nursing Lighthouse Youth Services lighthouse.org - Multiple openings - Warehousemen - Sales - Assistance Managers Tender Mercies tendermerciesinc.org Project Connect cps-k12.org - Chief Operating Officer - Resident Aid - Case Manager Workplace Strategy - Campaign Ambassador - 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, NonLegal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati lascinti.org - Fellowship Sponsorship - Equal Justice Works - Human Resource Manager - Legal Assistant St. Vincent De Paul svdpcincinnati.org - Cashiers - Stock Clerks Our Daily Bread ourdailybread.us - Executive Director 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 �11 WORLD No. 331 | Ju n e 3 - J u n e 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 Obama administration issues warning to U.S. schools over transgender students’ rights ZACH MOBRICE T he U.S. Departments of Justice and Education unveiled "significant guidance" for public schools to follow in order to protect the civil rights of transgender students on 13 May. This guidance initiative utilizes the past reforms of Title IX-an amendment which bars discrimination in all federally funded schools-to defend transgender liberties and justify any precautions that should be taken in schools to best ensure these liberties. Amidst the recent controversy AMANDA WALDROUPE (Continued from page 8) state is beginning to spend some of its Medicaid dollars. The problem is that we have split social and health needs apart from each other in the major federal streams. HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) spend money on very different things. A lot of people have tried to put those together at the local level. We need to understand that housing is health care, and that if we want a healthy population, make sure that it is adequately housed. A.W.: There are at least two competing values for delivering good and effective health care. One is doing it out of the kind of compassion you're talking about. But health reform has generated a lot of conversations about creating health care programs that are "evidence based" or have "measurable outcomes," a way of measuring effec- CAMRI NELSON (Continued from page 7) kids running and mothers crying. “Once, we witnessed a man try to help a woman who was laying on the ground. In the process of helping her get up, their hands were ripped off by an explosion,” explained Fathallah. Fathallah also lost her father during that time due to a heart attack. According to his doctor he became sick due to all of the horrific things that he had witnessed during that time. Although that was a rough time for her, she is grateful to have survived the first few years in the camps. The camp in Lebanon where Ashkar lives was only built to house 10,000 people. However as of 2016 there are 25,000 people living there. They are expected to have 25,000 more by the end of the year. She claims that quality of life for the refugees is continually getting worse. “After 68 years, they are still treated as refugees. They cannot be engineers, doctors, or even taxi drivers. Their only options are to work as construction workers,” she said. The refugees have very limited rights. In addition to barely being able to work, they cannot own land, obtain social security, go to public hospitals, or get a good quality education. Kids who attend school from first to sixth Spare Change News the two departments found to be competent and effective civil rights initiatives. Among these initiatives are: how to best confirm a student's gender transition, how to communicate transgender status to students' parents, how to protect transgender privacy, and how to allow transgender students to fit into sex-segregated activities and facilities (such as athletics and restrooms) that align with their identity. Among the state public school policies exemplified in the guidance release is the Massachusetts Guidance, released in 2013. The Mass. Guidance, as expressed in the joint guidance, expresses the necessity for school communication with transgender students over how to best handle communication with par- created by restrictive bathroom laws in North Carolina, this set of guidelines serves to take a stand and help clarify what should be done for students whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex. "Educators want to do the right thing for students, and many have reached out to us for guidance on how to follow the law," said Secretary of Education, John King, Jr. "We must ensure that our young people know that whoever they are or wherever they come from, they have the opportunity to get a great education in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and violence." The guidance emphasizes that a student's gender identity should be treated as their sex and also states that students need only express to the school that they are transgender and wish to be respected as such; privacy and a comforting environment take precedent over documentation and formality. While not instituting any actual regulation or policy, the guidance showcases state examples of what tiveness, etc. Do you think anything is lost when we talk about health care like that? J.L.: It does matter. It has to do with the quality of those services. A lot of the focus of the ACA (Afordable Health Care) is on patient-centered medical homes. That's what we have been doing for 30 years now. We have been developing medical homes for people who are pretty much excluded anywhere else, (homes) that are compassionate and respectful. We look to what is achievable within the patient's own frame of reference. When we make a referral, we fully recognize the case management (needed) to help make that referral really work - that there are warm hand-offs, careful care transitions, discharge planning so that one person moves from one sort of provider to another. A.W.: What do you think needs to change in this country - socially, politically - for the United States to create universal health care? J.L.: It's the political power of the insurance companies and the for-profit health care providers. That's clear and simple, I think, to anybody who looks at it. They command something like 17 or 18 percent of the nation's economy. Somewhere between 20 and 30 percent of their profit goes into shareholder profit and other wasteful administrative costs. Health insurance executives are among the richest people in the country. It's the one percent defending itself. A.W.: The vacancy rate in Portland, like many other West Coast cities, is lower than two percent. The rental market is incredibly tight, and landlords are raising rent. Housing, even though it is something that everyone needs to survive, is driven by capitalism. J.L.: Absolutely. It's capitalism run amok. Our economy treats housing and health care as commodities, as things to be bought or sold for profit, not as the fundamental human right that we understand they are. They are necessary for our survival. They're so basic. I try to talk about Abraham Maslow's needs hierarchy. Shelter, food and clothing are right there at the bottom, before you can advance economically or psychologically. It's a fundamental need that the capitalist system does not accommodate willingly. The McKinney-Vento act [the McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth] got passed in 1987 because Mitch Snyder was starving himself to death (in Washington, D.C.). Many people were expressing a lot of outrage of this sudden influx of homelessness when Reagan cut the HUD budget by 75 percent. What we lack now is that sort of powerful grassroots movement. We need to see more on that political front around housing. grade are usually in classes with 55 or more students. Many of them can’t even spell their name by the time that they are finished with school. Even those who don’t pass within their grade level are still allowed to move on. Ashkar was fortunate enough to get her education through private schooling. Her father, who is a mechanical engineer, illegally works for a company in Lebanon. Although he has a privileged position, he is still discriminated against in the work force. He has to work more hours than everyone else and get paid a lower salary. “That’s how Palestinian’s work, they work illegally and if they get paid less, that’s fine. At least they have work,” she said. Both Fatahallah and Ashkar would like to return to Palestine and rebuild their village but they know that it can’t be done alone. The Israelites have banned the refugees from returning to their land, but Ashkar stands by the Palestinian Right of Return. This political position states that they have the right to return home and claim their property back. Ashkar believes that if everyone comes together they can regain their land. Ashkar believes that the first step to regaining the land is to gather other supporters and to start talking to people about the cause. She hopes that Amer- icans will be able to influence the politicians to make a change. “I now believe in the Americans. This is something I would have not said two months ago. I now believe in them because I have seen many people who really support us and believe in our cause,” she said. (Continued on page 12) ------------------------ ------------------------ Slide show at Clifton Mosque Photo: Camri Nelson THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �12 Street Life: The liar and the thief LOCAL June 3 - June 16, 2016 | No. 331 RICARDO TAYLOR Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor ‘A thief and liar are one in the same’. L ike six of one thing and half a dozen of another, it comes out the same; or equal if you will, only; is that so? The dynamics of the two is such that they are one and the same. Honored in the presence of gentlemen and respected amongst thieves. Ah, what a place to be. Standing as a force! A force of men; On the side of justice and right, while deceiving in the name of self-gain! Oh, really? For me the greatest theft which could ever be committed is a lie! Lies do not come in colors, or size, they come in deceit. For personal gain at others expense! With intent you come to me with an elaborate fabrication about nothing; or whatever; it’s a theft, simply, because, you have my confidence, yet ZACH MOBRICE (Continued from page 11) ents, in order to protect student safety and privacy. The guidance delves further into the issue of privacy, stating that transgender students shouldn't have their gender information collected unless absolutely necessary. you bring to me complete falsehood {a lie}, with no real concern for me, it’s only for your gain! A liar and a thief are the same. As life has come to me I have come upon a reality. One which has followed my thinking and actions, that reality is that as a man I would never have to lie! Oh, I don’t have to tell you anything! A lie as far I am concerned can only be of any value if it is to protect oneself from harm, or to protect another for that purpose, or to protect some property this would be the only excusable reason for lying. A liar and a thief are the same; so unbecoming of one’s nature! One’s character is the investment of his/her integrity. The honesty of one’s actions is reflected in their character, in the phases, of dealing with others. The sheer audacity of the lie is imprinted in the actions and motives of the perpetrator, who with the vigor of intent concludes to deceive! Too arrest your confidence for self-gain! What greater theft then to have you directed by falsehood? Leading the sheep to the slaughter! No regret or remorse from the perpetrator! Relishing in the gains from their deceit, the liar/thief, adorns themselves with pride and honor. How audacious! To believe that you are blessed from God for gains obtained without the shame of a lie! Such are the motives and drives for those who practice deceit. A thief and a liar are one in the same! A bit out of my usual compassion for the life of most street people I titled and wrote this essay not as an indictment against street people; in fact, often as not it’s the more successful individuals who might engage in those behaviors, yet, whoever, it impresses me as a violation towards others. This acknowledgement comes on the heels of a bill passed by the Massachusetts Senate, which effectively prohibits the discrimination of transgender citizens in public locales. The federal joint guidance also details how to efficiently curb and discipline the bullying of transgender students and how to handle complaints from the greater public. What the guidance says it cannot offer advice for is the handling of transgender students in single-sex classes and schools - as these are associated with private institutions - as well as fraternities and sororities. The Massachusetts Trans Political Coalition, a Boston-based advocacy and education group for transgender issues, praised the move. However, they feel more still needs to be done. "This is just a stepping stone," said Mason Dunn, executive director of the coalition. "It's part of the larger fight to change minds." ------------------------ Streetvibes distributor Ricardo Taylor Photo: Aimee Willhoite ------------------------ 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 �13 STREET VOICE No. 331 | Ju n e 3 - J u n e 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 A Letter to the Editor: Response to Panhandler Like Me What an ironic juxtaposition! Jim Luken’s article about posing as a panhandler, across from Josh Spring’s headline, “Infuriating Fakeness.” Spring says, "I am infuriated with fake," but Luken’s scam, and the article he wrote about it, are much more infuriating. The people who passed Luken without “helping” him don’t need an excuse for enjoying their evening without interruption. They may be taking a break from caring for an aged parent or a house full of small children. They may have a stressful job, but it offers them the opportunity to help others through the United Way, or through making contributions to political candidates who fight for social justice, or to Doctors Without Borders, who help the sick in war-torn areas, or to local agencies like Welcome House and the FreeStore Foodbank. Maybe they work for women’s healthcare at Planned Parenthood, or donate veterinary services to families who might lose their pet because they can’t afford its care. Are those people bad people because they don’t want to open their wallet in the middle of the sidewalk to give to someone posing as needy? And think who you reach with this story – people who’ve bought Street Vibes from a vendor. Do they deserve your guilt trip? Maybe the person who really needs a lesson in compassion is Jim Luken. - Ann Mitchell ------------------------ Ferguson and the Others Unarmed But Dead Death still came Life taken by whom And for what Shots were fired Innocent men were killed Time after time police brutality Bad Judgement, Racism Cops not indicted Cops not brought to trail Police guilty of policing themselves Riots for Justice Police chiefs and the justice system Not being responsible for police actions Unfair killings Police should maintain to restore human dignity of all those they are sworn to protect and serve Law enforcement is supposed to Be a part of the community Not killers in the communities Gardner - Dead Martin – Dead Brown – Dead Wilson – Dead The grand jury and our justice system Must prevail KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE CAMPAIGN MOTHER GOOSE CRUZ DROPS OUT Teddy Cruz got Indiana's bad news, And the results only made him cry. Onto TV he flew and curtly withdrew, But said: "I'm still the right guy!" WARNING ALL VOTERS Voters be wary. Voters be quick. Trumpian rantings Can make you sick. BILL WOODS Contributing Writer A Missing Ruby SINCE BECOMING A STREETVIBES DISTRIBUTOR FOR THE HOMELESS COALTION I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING A LADY I KNOW SHOULD HAVE BEEN A POLITICIAN THIS LADY INSPIRED PEOPLE EVERYTIME THEY'D SEE HER, SHE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE WHETHER THEY'D HAD A GOOD OR BAD DAY AND HAD WALKED A COUNTRY MILE NOT ONLY WAS THIS LADY AN UPLIFT AND SPIRITUAL, SHE BECAME A POSITIVE JOY SHE BECAME MY HOLIDAY BAKER OF CAKES AND PIES COULD SHE COOK,"OH BOY!!!" I KNOW WHAT A DIAMOND IN THE RUFF IS BUT I NEVER MET A REAL RUBY AS A GEM THEY'LL FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR HER WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE SO WE HANGING BY A LIMB MEETING MRS. RUBY WITH HER LAUGHTER ABOUT HOW SHE FORGOT MY NAME MADE ME KNOW AND BELEIVE THAT LIVING LIFE WITH A SMILE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME WE WILL MISS MRS. RUBY SHARING RECEIPTS FOR LIVING AND HOME COOKED MEALS I WILL MISS STANDING LISTENING TO HER HELP PEOPLE WITH FOOD, SHELTER WHATEVER KIND OF ORDEAL GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW THAT WE AT THE COALTION WILL NEVER FORGET YOU YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED EVERYTIME WE COME FOR HELP NO MATTER WHAT WE DO GOOD LUCK ON RETIREMENT WHICH IS WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO BUT SLEEP AND EAT EVERYDAY JUST REMEMBER YOU HAVE A PLACE AT THE CINCINNATI HOMELESS COALTION AND HURRY BACK I SAY!!!! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES June 3 - June 16, 2016 | No. 331 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 100 Across 1. Soft surface texture 4. Small viper 7. Stop 11. Cuban currency 12. Singing voice 13. Assumed name 15. Egg-laying 17. Paris transport system 18. Guided 19. Promptly 21. Tool used to cut gears 22. Metal-bearing mineral 23. Delicate 24. Desperate 27. Elfin 28. Niche 30. Region 33. Seep 36. Call forth 38. Adjacent 39. Sign of assent 40. Portent 41. Luxury watercraft 43. Weaving machine 45. Salacious 46. Permissible difference 48. Astern 50. Bow 51. Champion 53. Append 56. Apposite 58. Rough shelter 60. Charge for professional services 61. Water nymph 64. Marked by care and persistent effort 66. Rhetorical device 67. Stupefy 68. Item of footwear 69. Was cognizant or aware 70. Golf peg 71. Consumed Down 1. Not at any time 2. Stage whisper 3. Fizzy soft drink 4. Distant in manner 5. Feat to attract attention 6. Assigned position 7. Amateur radio operator 8. Beer 9. Supple 10. Tropical starchy tuberous root 11. Field sport 12. Stream or brook 14. Weep 16. Part of a church 20. Poem 25. Frozen water 26. Rebellion 27. Sire 28. Remake 29. Turn or place at an angle 30. One, some, every or all 31. Actual 32. Deliberate act of omission 34. Merely 35. Menagerie 37. Conclude 42. Number in a brace 44. Swallow 49. Nutrition 51. Hurry 52. Result 53. Currently in progress 54. Tie in tennis 55. Writing table 56. Colony insect 57. Open land for recreational use 59. Compass direction 62. Simian 63. Condensation 65. Country, initially SODOKU PUZZLE NO 230 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 330 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 99 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 229 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 331 | Ju n e 3 - J u n e 1 6 , 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 3 - June 16, 2016 | No. 331 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 3-June 16, 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director What Would It Take to Seriously Reduce Poverty Series Ends with the Final Community Issues Forums of the 2-15-2016 Season Pg 3: Hiroshima in Context Pg 4: Collaborating with the Enemy Pg 5: Acting and Action Pg 6: GCHC Pg 7: Judge Nathaniel Jones Answered the Call Pg 8: Health and Homelessness Pg 9: No Masking Trump’s Popularity at Chinese Partytime Factory Pg 10: GCHC Pg 11: Obama Administration Issues Warning to U.S. Schools Over Transgender Students’ Rights 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 3-June 16, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Michael Earl Patton Caroline Cory Dr. Mark Mussman Camri Nelson Ricardo Taylor Ann Mitchell Willa Denise Jones Kim Green U.S. Government Aimee WillhoitePDF Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimee Willhoite Ann Mitchell Barack Obama Bill Woods Camri Nelson Caroline Cory Donald Trump Dr. Mark Mussman Hiroshima Josh Spring Kim Green LGBTQ+ Michael Earl Patton Nathaniel Jones Palestine Ricardo Taylor Schools U.S. Government 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. 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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/80cf7bf6366a127d30ba02395be714dd.pdf 5bf317b4d6f0b2e5c95b5d03d1053a4a PDF Text Text J u ly 1st - J u ly 14th 2016 | Vol. 20 Issue 14 (No. 333) advocating justice | Building community Photo Essay: Cincinnati's Gay Pride Parade | 8-9 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Did Hiroshima Prevent WWIII? | 7 Breaking the Issue Attention Cycle: Bringing in the Coalition | 5 Reclaim Your Queer! | 3 A Little Free Library in OTR | 4 Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.org Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL From the Director: It Takes Two People to Decide Who Plans the Development of City Property July 1 - July 14, 2016 | No. 333 JOSH SPRING Executive Director H ow many people does it take to determine who plans the development of city-owned property? If you guessed five, that is a good guess because City Council has nine elected members and five is the minimum majority vote of those nine officials. But you’d be wrong. The answer is actually two; the head of the Community and Economic Development department and the City Manager - both unelected positions. If this seems like a problem, consider this, the City employs something called a preferred developer agreement. These contracts give the exclusive right to plan and institute the development of any piece of cityowned property to a private organization. While in place the city stops maintaining the property while the private organization creates a development plan. There is no public notice given prior to the signing of one of these contracts. There is no request for proposals issued. There is no bidding to see what organization would best benefit the city or the neighborhood. There is no required neighborhood conversation or decision. Throughout the year in which such an agreement is in place the city cannot offer development opportunities on the land to any other entity without first dissolving the agreement. If the company in contract with the city fails to put together a viable plan by the end of that year, the same two un-elected people can simply resign the agreement for another year regardless of why the company could not put together a viable plan - again with no required input from the public or City Council. City Council only gets a say if the private company puts together a plan that is endorsed by the head of Community and Economic Development and the City Manager. City Council is then asked to vote to transfer the property from the city into the ownership of the private company. Again prior to this potential vote on selling the city-owned property, there has been no required public discussion, there has been no required bidding, there has been no required discussion regarding racial or economic inclusion in the development itself or the construction of the development. I assume for most people reading this, this all seems quite problematic to say the least. Well it gets worse. In a handful of cases these agreements have been voted on by Council, in a publically unknown number The Role of The News Media in a Democracy BILL WOODS Contributing Writer S cholars of U.S. politics and government have often emphasized the importance of a free press in a representative democracy. They stress that skilled journalists play a key role as the communications link between elected officials, candidates for office and the general public. A recent article by syndicated columnist E. J. Dionne on Donald Trump and the media prompted me to consider the current relationship between journalists and the political process. How has this relationship changed over time, and how have the changes impacted the health of both politics and the news media? Considerable evidence indicates that professional journalism and politics today have both reached unhealthy stages. Print journalism has experienced a steady decline, and most cities consider themselves lucky to have one daily newspaper. The emergence of weekly and biweekly newspapers such as CityBeat and Streetvibes strive to fill the news gap caused by the loss of so many dailies. From the 1950s onward, television became a major vehicle for delivering the news. For years, the ABC, CBS, and NBC evening news hours competed with Time Magazine, News Week and U.S. News and World Report as sources people relied on for national and international news. For a period of time, people of all political persuasions read and heard basically the same set of facts about the country and the world. Even if they could not resolve their different political views, they could at least accept the same set of factual information. Next came the rise of Cable TV. This opened up a new array of specialized news sources to compete with the three networks. Suddenly, viewers could opt for news programs that matched their political opinions such as Fox News and then MSNBC. Many people are no longer sharing the same set of facts. Finally, the internet has brought about a whole new and confusing dimension in terms of how people receive information. With the click of a few keys, someone can connect to a vast number of data bases, news, and political opinion links. Although thousands of these internet sources provide fact-based and enlightening information, an equal number of them offer opinions often based on skewed or false information. Now a person with a particular political opinion need never come in contact with facts or reasonable editorials of instances, they have not been. This leads to the question of why would Council vote in a few instances, but not in others. The answer is: there is no public answer. Researching the topic in the city’s charter, municipal code, rules of council and the online archive of city documents does not reveal any information of when or if the power to create these agreements was ever discussed or enacted. Such a search reveals no laws or policies pertaining to these agreements nor any actual indication of a particular process that must be followed. In fact, every bit of the “process” explained above is based simply on the few agreements that have been at least somewhat forced into the public eye. So what do you think should be done considering the fact that currently in our city two unelected officials can grant the exclusive rights to plan the development of city-owned property without any public notice or discussion, without any vote of City Council and without any named requirements for inclusion or return on investment for the city; and there is no readily available evidence that there was ever a policy created to allow for this or guide the process? -----------------------that might moderate, change or challenge his or her views. Another negative trend has been the commercialization of the news media. In recent decades, news venues, especially TV news productions, have been influenced by the goal of higher viewer ratings. More and more the news has become synonymous with entertainment. This fact means that a colorful politician’s rants or sexual scandals will usually get more coverage than a complicated social or economic issue. If the news is entertainment, the producer doesn’t want to bore the audience with a lot of tedious facts and complexity. At the same time these changes have evolved in terms of presenting the news, politicians and political groups have also transformed the ways they communicate with people. As late as the 1970s, elected officials often relied on speech writers and aides who specialized in dealing with the press to assist them in presenting their positions and views to the news media. The goal was to get free press coverage for the candidate or official, but the press releases and briefings also needed to possess some serious issue content in order to justify the attention of newspaper and TV journalists. In this process, politicians knew that good reporters would not just print the contents of a press release, but they would often check facts and add other perspectives to their final stories. These informal, symbiotic relationships between journalists and public officials created a steady diet of (Continued on page 7) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 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 Writers: Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Johnathan Diskin, Thomas A. Dutton, James C. Fraser, Key Beck, Camri Nelson, Justin jeffre, Jim Debrosse, Dr. Mark Mussman, Michael Earl Patton, Steve Sunderland, Peter Kobak, Ricardo Taylor, Willa Denise Jones, Kim Green Photography/Artwork: Cynthia Zulla, Angela Ginty, Dr. Mark Mussman, Michael Earl Patton, Lukasz Katlewa, Bill Woods, Aimee Willhoite 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 Is it too late for Over-theRhine to be a Mixed-Income Neighborhood? 3 No. 333 | Ju ly 1 - J u ly 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 perts agree work. These can include: • • • • • JONATHAN DISKIN THOMAS A. DUTTON JAMES C. FRASER Contributing Writers T he 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 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 ex- Reclaim Your Queer! KEY BECK Contributing Writer S o, I am finally home after an exciting and rejuvenating weekend with friends, lovedones, and new (Bonna) family. It was a great experience for me because I needed a recharge. I truly feel like Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, a yearly summer concert in Tennessee, is home for four sweltering, hot days of my life. It is a home, a safe haven, and a getaway for many of us queers (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender if you wanna play the “respectability politics”). At Bonnaroo, we are free to hold hands, kiss, caress and just live without fear, anxiety or victimization. That is the type of place Bonnaroo has come to be. For many queers (both young and old), gay bars and clubs are the same type of safe haven and place of community. This was not the case for the many people who went out to Pulse Nightclub in Orlando this June. I would be remiss not to mention that this particular night was Latin night, predominantly attended by Black, Hispanic and Latinx Americans. So this was not only a homophobic attack, but a racially-motivated one to boot. As a queer, person of color who is slightly gender non-conforming… it is rough living in society where such ignorance and hate is rampant. Hate for choosing your gender expression, hate for your black body and hate for your very existence. Your body is instantly political. If I wear baggy clothes and hoodie, people label me a thug, clutch their purses, grab their girlfriends and cross the street. If I wear short, pink shorts and a cut-off, people call me gay or a girl, whistle at me or even physically block my path. I am constantly judged by the things I wear, the length of my hair, the way I talk and move through the world. There is not a day that passes where I am not harassed, aggressed or cat-called. Sometimes, they don’t incite violence, other times they do. I have learned that words are a lot easier to dodge than bottles. And, sometimes a stranger is an ally, and other times they are an instigator. This routine has become so emotionally, physically, and psychologically exhausting that I have to get away annually to The Farm in Tennessee. There, I don’t have to constantly be aware of my surroundings or worry that someone may try to spit on me while running past them. We need to get to a place in society where queer and trans people (of color) don’t have to leave their city to find solidarity, inclusion and acceptance. Your city should be your home, not your prison. While I am happy to return to Cincinnati, I am sad to come home to the news of tragedy, hate, and oppression. I am sad that we have to have conversations with our queer and LGBT youth about gun violence, homophobia and racial terrorism. I am sad that I have to explain the mass shooting in Orlando as a hate crime to the parents of LGBT youth who are new to the community. Although the news media fails to do so, we must label this shooting as an act of self-hate, discrimination, prejudice and homophobia. This heinous 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 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. Jonathan Diskin is a professor of economics at Earlham College. Thomas A. Dutton is director of the Miami University Center for Community Engagement in Over-theRhine. James C. Fraser is an associate professor of human and organizational development at Vanderbilt University. [This op-ed first appeared in the Enquirer under the title Protect Affordable Housing in OTR.] ------------------------ act was facilitated by America’s willhomeless from using their facilities. Spikes on perimeter walls and bars ingness to other queer people, esin park benches are physical signs of pecially queer and gender non-conexclusion and we shouldn’t be movforming people of color, such as the ing in that direction. We need to hold Public Library of Cincinnati denying our political leaders accountable for insurance claims for gender confirsupporting oppressive laws and polimation surgery. According to the cies that target LGBT people and Human Rights Campaign and other other marginalized communities. sources, nearly 1 in 12 people who Finally, we need to support our comidentify as transgender will experipatriot groups such as Black Lives ence lethal violence towards them Matter, Radical Feminists, and Palbased on their gender presentation. estinian Liberation groups. This is ridiculous and can be preIf you don’t feel you are ready to vented by the incorporation of laws, fully support equity, start with babyrights, and protections of LGBT, steps. Hug your neighbor. Volunteer queer and trans-identified people. at a GLSEN event. Go out and meet It takes work and emotional lathe LGBT community. We need to bor to live life when the body is poprotect each other from violence and litical. Racism, sexism, transphobia, hurt the best we can. We need to valhomophobia, islamophobia, patriarue each other for our differences and chy and other systems of oppression learn to welcome the unknown and all exist to tear us apart. We shouldn’t not fear it. Only when we pull back forget how leaders such as Marsha P. the curtain of ignorance do we learn Johnson, Miss Major Griffon-Gracy, the truth. So let’s lead with empathy and Sylvia Rivera lead the communiand love instead of hate and misunty to fight against the systematic and derstanding. institutionalized violence against -----------------------queer people at Stonewall. This is our time to come together and support those who need it. So, what are some strategies we can implement to support our LGBT community? First, we can support the LGBT youth who are experiencing homelessness. Helping them as youth can potentially deter other negative consequences they may experience as adults. Insist that community organizations, including the social services, community agencies and police undergo competency training to learn how to deal with marginalized groups such as people of color and LGBT individuals. Question our park boards why they insist on installing obstructive objects to deter people experiencing Cincinnati's Pride Parade Photo: Cynthia Zulla THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 LOCAL Meet Up with Wendell Young CAMRI NELSON Contributing Writer F rom fighting off criminals to implementing new initiatives in Cincinnati, Wendell Young has dedicated 40 years of his life to improving his home town. Growing up in Cincinnati, Young never imagined himself working in law enforcement. It wasn’t until he graduated from high school that he decided to enlist in the Airforce as a Security Force Specialist. His duties consisted of protecting the Airmen, directing traffic, and responding to emergencies, which was something he really enjoyed doing. He enjoyed the experience so much that after he was discharged in 67’, he returned home to Cincinnati and accepted a position with CPD. Although Young was fortunate enough to be an officer in Cincinnati, a place where he was well known, he still encountered many obstacles. “The biggest challenge was just being an African American officer at the time when there were riots around the country and in Cincinnati”. Black officers were widely criticized and viewed as ‘Uncle Toms’ and traitors, said Young. In order to ultimately gain the trust of the African American community, Young and other African American officers formed the Sentinel Police Association, an organization that addresses police corruption, police brutality, and racial discrimination. Although the association did help build the relationship between the officers and the community, some of officers within the department disapproved. “They didn’t agree that women needed to be hired and they did not agree that promotional opportunities and assignments needed to be spread more evenly throughout the population of the police department. He never once let the opinions of those who opposed of his decisions stop him from advocating for equal rights. After retiring from CPD, he accepted a position as an Equal Opportunity Officer and worked with employees and managers to ensure that individuals were given the same opportunity for employment and equal pay. Working as an EOO, Young claims it was a very rewarding experience. Another one of Young’s rewarding experiences was teaching at Aiken High School. In August of 2007 he taught courses called, Government and Public Administration and Law and Public Safety to a group of at-risk youth. One of his biggest challenges was teaching the children because the retention rate was low. However, he realized that for those who did make it throughout the entire school year, were more mature and improved their attitudes by the end. “I learned that young people who are given an opportunity for the most part, regardless of where they come from, respond well to people who believe in them, work with them, and Is Music Hall safe? Protestors say noncertified welders erecting new ceiling JIM DEBROSSE Contributing Writer [This article was first published at https://c4ad.wordpress.com/] A nother major Cincinnati construction job — the $129-million renovation of Music Hall that began this month — is facing accusations that contractors are trimming costs by using non-certified welders and risking the safety of the project. About eight protestors organized by the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, a nonprofit pro-labor group, have been displaying informational banners and signs this week along Elm Street in front of the Over-theRhine renovation site. The protesters say about a dozen welders on the project – hired by Merit Erectors and its sister company Avenue Fabricating Inc., both local steel construction firms – have the same fake welding certificates that Merit submitted last fall for the $86-million Nippert Stadium renovation at the University of Cincinnati. Mitch Oberding, an ironworker with 20 years of welding experience and one of the CIWC protesters, said CIWC obtained and examined copies of Merit’s welding certificates for the UC project. “They aren’t worth the paper they’re written on,” Oberding said. “There were dead guys on there and guys who didn’t work (at Merit Erectors) anymore.” Oberding said the welding inspector who allegedly signed the 2015 certificates has been retired since 2007. Jeff Jones, the welding inspector whose name appears on 14 of Merit’s welding certificates, told Fox19 last fall that his name had been falsified on all 14 documents. A welding certificate is proof that A Little Free Library in OTR JUSTIN JEFFRE A Editor Little Free Library has been installed in the park at the corner of 13th and Republic. On Thursday, June 23 there was a grand opening. “Over the 2-hour event, we had about 75 people of all ages stop by. We gave away 200 popsicles and a lot of books. We also had a table where kids could decorate their own bookmarks. A caricature artist (Caricatures by Duff – www. duffo.com) was busy the entire time drawing pictures of kids who stopped by the library,” said Angela Ginty. Ginty is a Communications and Development Officer with the Cin- “Breakdown Stereotypes” a welder has been properly trained and can produce a weld that has passed a professional inspection for safety and durability. Oberding said plans for the Music Hall renovation call for replacing massive wooden trusses built into the ceiling in the 1800s with modern steel trusses that will be cut and welded in place for support. The general contractor on the Music Hall project, Messer Construction, “doesn’t have any idea what they’re getting into,” Oberding said. “We’re talking about the structural integrity of the building.” Last September, Merit Erectors and Avenue Fabricating faced similar accusations on the Nippert Stadium renovation at the University of Cincinnati after Fox19 reported that the welding certificates on the project had been falsified. cinnati Development Fund which sponsored the Library. The park is owned by Over-the-Rhine Community Housing and they’ve granted permission to keep it there. “Since the library opened, it’s become a popular spot for kids and adults. People have stopped by every day and taken a book or two. We’ve also had several books donated, and we’re very grateful for those,” said Ginty. According to Ginty many neighbors are acting as “stewards” of the library – keeping it clean and stocked Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 give them a chance,” said Young. Even though Young has had a great experience while working for CPD and Aiken, his position now as a Community Council Member is something he says he has always wanted to do. He is very passionate about his job because he is in a position to give input about what’s going on in Cincinnati, a town that he grew up in. “I just feel like I’ve given a lot to the city, the city has been very good to me, and now I have this opportunity every single day when I come to work to do something that will impact the people I care about,” he said. As a City Council Member he has helped create the yellow taxi cab reform, supported developments in the cities such as the Banks, help with the development of Washington Park, helped fund money for Streetcars, and has helped to improve infant mortality rates. He is currently working on the budget, making sure that the African American Chamber is properly funded, and that city employees are receiving a decent wage. ------------------------ Messer used Merit Erectors on the $112-million University of Kentucky science center in October of last year with the same faked welding credentials, Fox19 reported. Messer is “using the exact same company again” at Music Hall, Oberding said. “That was purposely done to show how easy it is to cheat” when turning in welding certificates. Adam Kinman, a former welder for Merit Erectors who said he quit last summer because of a pay and benefits dispute, said he recognized at least eight Merit welders working on the Music Hall site last week. Messer Construction and the overall developer of the Music Hall project, 3CDC, did not return phone calls or emails asking for comment. Merit Erector owner Chris Koenig has repeatedly refused opportunities to comment on the company’s practices. (You can email Jim DeBrosse at jdebrosse.c4ad@gmail.com) ------------------------ with books. “We invite everyone to be a steward of the library because it’s a community resource for and by the residents of Over-the-Rhine. Tender Mercies residents help take care of the books, and Future Leaders OTR have expressed an interest in getting involved as,” she said. Like all Little Free Libraries, the OTR library runs on book donations. If anyone has books to donate, they can leave them in the library struc- (Continued on page 5) “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 �LOCAL Breaking the Issue Attention Cycle: Bringing in the Coalition 5 No. 333 | Ju ly 1 - J u ly 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer B y the time you finish this article, you will be thinking about something else. In a week from now, you probably won’t be thinking about Pulse Night Club, a baby-eating alligator, or gun reform efforts. You will be thinking about some other tragedy, or trying to fill your life with frivolous entertainment news – is Taylor Swift really single again? This is called the “issue attention cycle” and it plays out through national and local media. How do we stay focused on bringing justice to our community? One thing is for certain, being a part of the Homeless Coalition helps keep you abreast of the issues that are facing our community today. From the attack on Medicaid Ohio (grossly named Healthy Ohio), to the push for unregulated and unproven charter schools inside Cincinnati Public Schools, to MARC ID progress, to #KeepOurCourts, the Homeless Coalition works to keep our member organizations informed on the issues that matter most to our entire community. There are several ways to keep up on the issues – join our listserv, follow us on Facebook (both the Home- less Coalition and Streetvibes), come to our monthly membership meeting, join Affordable Housing Advocates (who also meet monthly), or get involved with our many community-focused groups such as Peaslee Neighborhood Center, St. Francis Seraph, or Tender Mercies. Follow City Council meetings online by downloading the weekly agenda or watching in person or on CityCable. Reading Streetvibes is obviously another way to keep up on current issues and events. You can read the entire Enquirer in 10 minutes, CityBeat in 15, but Streetvibes may take you an hour to read. This is because some of the best writers cover the most important issues – whether they are in style or not. You may hear things in this paper that make you uncomfortable, but this is the only way you will learn new things. Let me predict what will happen this week in the news. Another white male police officer will be exonerated or acquitted for killing an unarmed person of color. Another person who is transgender will be killed and the killer will be let off using “gay panic” as a defense. Another kid will be mauled by a wild animal kept in cap- Homeless Coalition table at Juneteenth Photo: Mark Mussman tivity. Mayor John Cranley will use the rebellion in 2001 as justification to reward his developer fan base. And you will continue to struggle to pay your ever-increasing bills and make sacrifices so you can buy dinner and your medications. With all this going on, how could you possibly focus on issues that affect our community? How can you start to grasp the legacy of racism in our city? Cincinnati’s substandard schools, housing, medical facilities, and work conditions have been exclusively reserved for African-Americans, Appalachians, and migrants. More than 10 years of life expectancy separates black and white residents in Cincinnati. Living in Cincinnati is literally a death-sentence for so many – and this doesn’t even begin to include the disproportionate violence that is enacted upon people of color in the city. For people of color the most pressing issues affect every moment of their lives. In addition, the microaggressions that pervade our city range from seemingly pleasant (“Oh, you speak so eloquently”) to more egregious (“You’re pretty hot for a black girl”) to outright vapid (“That guy is so ghetto”). I find it interesting how surprised people of color are when I treat them like human beings. Many times people are taken aback that I am making eye contact, listening to someone’s story, and responding with compassion. This is so rare in our community – across all races. While it’s important to make sure you’re not stepping on anything, you’d think people’s eyes are glued to the ground, hoping to find a $100 bill laying in the gutter. Nobody makes eye contact, nobody says “hello” on the street. This is the type of issue I would like to see confronted because we can’t have a compassionate city if we don’t see each other. So let’s do our best to pay attention to how we can be compassionate and enact system change. We often forget the simple things that we learned when we were kids – how to listen, how to share, how to recognize right from wrong. If we are caught up in just amassing more power and wealth, we are cutting ourselves off from those who need us most. If you want to walk around Over-the-Rhine with me to get a different perspective, or hear the story of someone who has experienced homelessness, or learn what it’s like distributing Streetvibes, or have us table your event, please contact me or sign up on our website for an Education Event. We must keep our community’s struggles in the issue attention cycle. Mayerson Summer program students Photo: Mark Mussman JUSTIN JEFFRE (Continued from page 4) ture (if there’s room) or drop them off at Cincinnati Development Fund’s office (right around the corner at 1224 Race Street) any day during office hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.). The primary focus is books for children and young adults, but a full range of books will be available for readers of every age and interest. According to Ginty this library is a tribute to Catherine Stehlin, a longtime resident and champion of OTR who lost her battle with Cystic Fibrosis earlier this year. A family garden has also been installed in the corner of the park (Catherine’s corner). ------------------------ ------------------------ Girl using the new little free library Photo: Angela Ginty THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �6 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED July 1 - July 14, 2016 | No. 333 �LOCAL No. 333 | Ju ly 1 - J u ly 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 Did Hiroshima Prevent WWIII? MICHAEL EARL PATTON Contributing Writer My two articles on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima prompted an actual letter to the editor. Not an e-mail, but a letter through the U.S. Postal Service. It’s very short, but I thought I would reprint it below and respond to its main point. The letter, in full, is below: “Even Oliver Stone was not aware at a conference on JFK that the important result of the nuke bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the photos prevented WWIII.” Dan Griffith Covington, KY I had written my last couple articles on the subject of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki because of President Obama’s recent visit to Hiroshima, the first by a sitting U.S. president. He did not apologize for the bombings, but I wanted to explore the topic more than its usual brief treatments in the media. I pointed out that Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom (Britain), and the U.S. had all engaged in massive bombing campaigns against the civilian populations of cities. Such non-discriminate bombings are a violation of the 1907 Hague Convention, which had been signed by all of those countries. It is noteworthy that at the German war crimes trials at Nuremburg, the Nazis were not charged with violating that aspect of the convention, and neither were the Japanese at their trials. The conventional explanation is that aerial bombardment was not explicitly prohibited, but the treaty is pretty clear as it is. Article 22 states that the right of belligerents to cause injury is not unlimited, and Article 27 states that 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. Note that Article 27 covers “bombardments,” not “all bombardments except aerial bombardments.” Carpet bombing with incendiaries, let alone nuclear bombings, meant that no steps were taken, and could not have been taken, to protect these buildings. Other articles from the Hague Convention may also apply. I’m sure there were no such charges against the Germans and the Japanese about their aerial bombardments because that would have exposed the Allies to similar charges. The irony is that such massive bombardments probably did not significantly diminish war-fighting BILL WOODS (Continued from page 2) news stories that kept readers and viewers (citizens) well informed. Since the 1970s, raising money for campaigns has become the central focus of both politicians and political groups, and advertising professionals have replaced press aides as the key people that public officials turn to for 7 capabilities. Any actual effect was more than made up by the increased motivation by those who had their homes destroyed to work even harder. Certainly – and there is no doubt about this – that is the effect that the German “Blitz” had on the people of Britain. As for Allied attacks on German cities, German war production increased every month right until almost the end of the war when the transportation system started to fail from the bombings of strategic bridges and railyards, along with the bombing of key installations such as ball bearing factories. Japanese war production was constricted by the Allied sinking of their supply ships from the mainland. Towards the end, the Japanese didn’t even have enough fuel for their warships. It is noteworthy also that the Soviet Union, in their massive counter-offensive from Moscow to the Elbe River in Germany, did not practice carpet bombing of cities as far as I could determine. The bombing of Dresden in eastern Germany in 1945, to which the Soviets were advancing, was done by British and American bombers, not Soviet. The Soviets had not requested that the city be bombed. Back to the letter. The main point seems to be that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in some way prevented World War III. The letter also states Oliver Stone did not know this, but does not say that he agreed with that statement. Indeed, in his book with Peter Kuznick, The Untold History of the United States, the two argue strongly that our dropping of the bombs motivated the Soviet Union to quickly develop their own atomic weapons. And from the relatively crude atomic weapons of the 1940’s, both the United States and the Soviet Union quickly developed the much more powerful hydrogen bomb. Today the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel all have atomic weapons. A few other countries could probably develop them if they so choose, or perhaps already have access to them through an ally. If by World War III the author meant a war with widespread use of nuclear John Hersey's 1946 article in "The New Yorker" magazine, which was reprinted in this book that same year, told the real life experiences of 6 survivors of the atomic blast at Hiroshima. This was the first time most Americans had a chance to find out about many of the bomb's devastating effects, which were much more intense than the weapons used against cities before. Photo: Michael Earl Patton communications expertise. This evolution of an ad-based communications system for politicians has come at the same time the news media became less print oriented, more entertainment based, and also more diverse and confusing in terms of venues. The old links between journalists, politicians, and citizens that scholars find important for democracy are either broken or badly in need of repair. No simple answers seem to exist in terms of reforming politics or the news media. As citizens who desire a healthy democracy protected by a healthy free press, we must support good and effective journalism at the community, state and national levels. We need to insure that daily newspapers do not disappear, and that weekly and biweekly publications like CityBeat and Streetvibes thrive. NPR and Public Television need support as well as icons like The New York Times and The Wash- THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED weapons, then it is self-evident that there has not been such a war, so far. It is another matter to show that the singular use of the atomic bombs by the United States has prevented a widespread nuclear war. It is likely that the actual use of the atomic bomb spurred other countries to develop their own. If nine countries having atomic weapons somehow contributes to peace, well, that is a claim that is not self-evident. The question then becomes, does adding more countries to the above list improve world security? There have been serious proposals for Japan to obtain such weapons, for instance, due to both China and North Korea having them. Would that help? My opinion is no, but not one world leader has asked me. And don’t even begin to talk about Iran. There have also been an unknown number of close calls where the world came close to nuclear war. The best known was during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the Soviet Union started placing nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962 during the Kennedy administration. Computer “glitches” and human errors led to false alarms in 1979 and 1983 that a nuclear attack was underway. Fortunately, the errors were recognized in time or else I would not be writing this. The first incident was due to American mistakes, the second was due to a malfunctioning Soviet system. It is hard to credit that the use of nuclear weapons during World War II had in any way been a benefit here, helping to resolve these crises. If by World War III the writer meant any large-scale conflict, that is a more contestable claim. Since World War II there have been the Chinese Civil War, Korean War, Vietnam War, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War (the first one, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait), U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, U.S. invasion of Iraq (the second Gulf War), Libyan Civil War, Ukraine, Syrian Civil War, and many other conflicts. The number of refugees from war today is comparable to those of World War II. The total number of people killed seems to be less – so far. There is one final point I want to make. The historical pattern had been that following a major war, the horrors of that war were burned into the memories of the parties involved at least for a generation. For example, following the U.S. Civil War (or the “War Between the States” for our Southern readers), the U.S. did not engage in another foreign war until the Spanish-American War a generation later. Europe, following World War II, has seen peace. But not the United States. Something is different this time. I do not know what, but one thing it is clearly not: the result of our dropping the atomic bombs on Japan was not peace for the United States for a generation. -----------------------ington Post. Meanwhile, the worlds of the internet and Social Media must be utilized creatively by a new generation of journalists in order to create the free press of the future. [Editor’s note: I highly recommend noncommercial media outlets like democracynow.org. Thank you for supporting Streetvibes.] ------------------------ �8 PHOTO ESSAY Photo Essay: Cincinnati's Gay Pride Parade CYNTHIA ZULLA Photographer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED July 1 - July 14, 2016 | No. 333 �No. 333 | Ju ly 1 - J u ly 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 PHOTO ESSAY THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 9 �10 LOCAL July 1 - July 14, 2016 | No. 333 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 No. 333 | Ju ly 1 - J u ly 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 Breaking The Trance STEVE SUNDERLAND C Contributing Writer ancer care requires startling changes in understanding the place of the patient as a partner in care. Currently, there is a trance from the physician to the patient and his/her family, a steady expectation that the patient has little to do other than follow instructions. Patients seeking to exercise their voices to seek answers to questions, often very hard questions, are too often met with a doubling down of the trance. Patients are paralyzed as much by the physician's behavior as they are by the fears about the cancer. What can happen if the trance is broken is amazing for both the patient and the doctor, and maybe for the ways in which the patient's lives their lives with a disease and its uncertainties. We can find new ways to educate for compassion that will replace the trance; we can practice empowerment with the patients and 11 encourage a vulnerable but authentic discussion of alternatives. In Cincinnati for the past two years the Peace Village Cancer Project has worked with agencies that serve the poor and minorities to create a Cancer Justice Network. Our belief is that a new kind of relationship is essential in cancer care. Using a navigator, a person educated to be resourceful and compassionate, the patient can have an ally to face the obstacles in both their personal life and the difficulties in working with the health care system. Most importantly, it may be the critical factor in saving lives. Our navigator program is focused on bringing patients to early screening for cancer and then, if necessary, rapid treatments. Helping people to understand the basics of cancer, the warning signs, and the necessary steps to screening, requires a caring communication, a trusted relationship, and action that releases the patient from the trance of low expectations for survival. Based on a pioneering program created by Harold Freeman, MD, a former president of the American Cancer Society, a surgeon, and an African American, in New York City, we expect navigators to be placed or hosted by community agencies where cancer education has been limited and where cancer mortality is greatest. The navigator, along with a physician, will respond to questions about cancer while the navigator will be available to help a person overcome any obstacles to getting screened. In the Fall we plan on having cancer education at Churches Active in Northside, Christ Church Cathedral, Madisonville Education and Assistance Center, Southern Baptist Church, the FreeStore Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Seraph, Center for Independent Living, Santa Maria Center, Peaslee Center, and Caracole. Breaking the trance opens new possibilities for the patient: they are now partners in being educated and in taking action to have their cancer, if they have cancer, reviewed and acted upon. The navigator stays with the person as long as they would like them to be a part of the treatment process. The navigator emphasizes following a "road map" to success through screening and treatment. The navigator is an educator, a guide through barriers, an ally, and even a friend. The navigator-person team is the new cancer health education model for prevention and treatment. Over time we expect that once the trance is broken throughout the city, the person with cancer, irrespective of their zip code, regardless of their color or economic ability, will be a survivor that can educate the community to a new kind of partnership. [You can reach Steve via email Steve.c.sunderland@icloud.com] ------------------------ Poland’s Constitutional Problem is About to Become a Human Rights Problem PETER KOBAK P Contributing Writer oland is going through what domestic and international observers alike are calling a constitutional crisis. For the first time since democracy returned to the country in 1989, a single party holds the majority of seats in parliament, and with their concentrated power, is carrying out a series of wideranging and controversial reforms. The criticisms levied on the government by international organizations suggest human rights protections are being destroyed by the country’s new administration. The situation has its origins around the parliamentary elections at the end of 2015 in which The Law and Justice Party (PiS) swept the majority of Poland’s 560 parliamentary seats. Before the 2015 election, the ruling liberal-centrist administration saw their popularity declining and foresaw an imminent defeat. Hastily, the party filled three vacant appointments in the country’s Constitutional Tribunal- the Polish equivalent of the US Supreme Court- made up of fifteen judges. Then, two more judges were added to the Tribunal in an attempt to fill seats whose terms had not yet expired. Following its victory, PiS immediately rejected all of the outgoing party’s appointments and swore in its own judges. Amidst the confusing mix of old and new judges, PiS has taken on an aggressive campaign to implement changes to the country’s highest court. In December, the newly PiS-controlled parliament passed legislation dubbed the “Repair Bill” that altered the Tribunal’s procedures and enlarged the powers of the executive branch vis-àvis the Tribunal. The bill increased the number of judges that needed to be present for a Tribunal decision (from nine to thirteen); required decisions to be reached by a two-thirds majority (previously only a simple majority was required); required the Tribunal to hear cases in the order that they were submitted (rather than by the priority or importance of the case in question); shortened the terms of the president and vice-president of the Tribunal; and allowed the executive branch to bring forth disciplinary proceedings against a judge, among other changes. Soon after the bill breezed through the parliament, the Constitutional Tribunal made a ruling declaring the entire document unconstitutional. In response, the PiS administration, led by its new Prime Minister Beata Szydło, proclaimed it would not publish the Tribunal’s ruling- a necessary step for the decision to become binding under Polish law. European organizations are especially concerned with the crisis that’s occurring in their backyard- with a country that has been a success story of European integration. The Council of Europe and the European Union have both either issued statements or begun an investigation into PiS’ recent actions. This past March, an independent body of the Council of Europe known as the Venice Commission conducted a series of visits to Poland and offered a damning opinion of the Polish situation. It concluded that the Repair Bill would endanger “not only the rule of law, but also the functioning of the democratic system,” which in turn would undermine the country’s ability to safeguard human rights. The European Union has also issued a condemnation of the country’s reforms. This assessment could lead to what some call the “nuclear option”: the suspension of Poland’s voting privileges in the organization. A non-binding resolution passed by the European Parliament, the EU’s legislative body, emphasized its concern for rule of law, democracy, and human rights in Poland, and encouraged proceedings that could lead to sanctions on Poland. The gravity of Poland’s consti- A demonstration takes place in Poland over new changes in the Constitutional Tribunal. Photo Credit : LukaszKatlewa tutional crisis is concentrated in the relationship between rule of law and human rights. Rule of law is predicated upon judicial review, meaning the protection of rights in the court system. The current Polish Constitution is arguably the most important human rights document for the country. It- along with numerous international treaties- enshrines the many human rights that all branches of the Polish government are bound to “respect, protect, and fulfill,” a responsibility states share as a cornerstone of international human rights law. If the Constitutional Tribunal is unable to come to a decision on a matter relating to the human rights listed in the Constitution because it is paralyzed by PiS’ legislative amendments, those rights are left unprotected. Soon after passing the Repair Bill, PiS also passed the “Act on Public Media” that crippled the ability of public Polish media to remain independent by allowing the government’s executive branch to directly appoint public media directors. Leading Polish human rights NGOs, decried the Act, saying it will “stifle critical voices at a time when it is essential that public broadcasters can speak out.” The net result of the Act on Public Media is not unlike the Repair Bill, insofar as it concentrates more power in Poland’s executive branch, giving PiS a tighter grip on the narrative in which it carries out its reforms. The series of actions taken by PiS since coming to power have destroyed one bulwark of human rights after another. And the march of PiS has gone on. The administration merged the once-separate offices of the Minister THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED of Justice and the Prosecutor General, whose previously separate positions allowed the country’s top prosecuting attorney more autonomy. The government also expanded the surveillance capabilities of the police in a move that grants them power to request data on an individual from digital service providers in Poland, without approval from a court. When the Roman Catholic Church- a Polish political heavyweight- began a campaign for a complete ban on abortions, Prime Minister Szydło and President Duda- both members of PiS- offered their support to the cause. The proposed ban would be the most restrictive law on abortion in the EU and has brought hundreds of thousands of opponents onto the streets of Poland in protest. Would the law pass, Poland may find itself before the European Court of Human Rights defending their decisions regarding reproductive rights for the umpteenth time. Most recently, the PiS administration scrapped a governmental council that was tasked with research and policies aimed at preventing racist and xenophobic discrimination in the country, largely inexplicable given the recent growth of racism and xenophobia in Poland. Soon after the parliamentary elections, a Polish parliamentarian gave a short speech in front of his new colleagues. In it, he unapologetically declared that the “good of the nation is above the law.” The parliamentary chamber, whose seats were largely filled with newly minted PiS politicians, responded with a standing ovation. ------------------------ �12 STREET VOICE July 1 - July 14, 2016 | No. 333 Street Life: The Edge RICARDO TAYLOR Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor ‘Living and dying are the same: it just depends on the opportunity.’ A h! How often does one feel as if they are not living, or that death may be a better choice? The essence of life: or program, if you will, presents that dilemma, or at least some idea of such. Life can be, and does have points, where it doesn’t seem worthwhile at times, and the capacity to reason questions whether or not it’s worthwhile to continue? So, the thin line between life and death becomes marred to the extent that one doesn’t know if they are alive or dead! Now, you don’t have to give any rebuttal to the metaphor; it’s not about having thoughts of suicide, but the frustrations of one’s existence. This gives conceptualizing for many people of the street, as often as not their lives border on a sense of insanity. It’s not so much that they don’t savor life, or that they don’t give a Streetvibes distributor Ricardo Taylor Photo: Aimee Willhoite ‘hoot’, but they often find them- (Continued on page 13) 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 - Dietary Supervisor - Patient Aide - Assistant V.O. Nursing - Nurse Manager - Staff Nurses - Controller Lighthouse Youth Services lighthouse.org - Multiple openings - Assistance Managers Tender Mercies tendermerciesinc.org - Chief Operating Officer Project Connect cps-k12.org United Way of Greater Hamilton County Cincinnati - Teachers Community uwgc.org Development - Vice President, Marketing hamiltoncountyohio. Shelter House Senior Associate, Nongov shelterhousecinti.org -Workplace Strategy - Multiple Openings Legal Aid Society of Center for Chemical Greater Cincinnati Addictions Treatment lascinti.org catsober.org - Fellowship Sponsorship - Cook - Equal Justice Works - CDCA Out Patient - Legal Assistant Medication Assisted Treatment Counselor - Human resources manager - Resident Aid - Case Manager St. Vincent De Paul svdpcincinnati.org - Cashiers - Stock Clerks - Warehousemen - Sales - Director, Individual Donor Engagement - Grant writer - Success By 6 Associate Imani Family Center imanifamilycenter.org - Photographer - Filmmaker Applied Information Resources AIR, Inc. enables people, organizations and governments to make well-informed decisions regarding policies, human services, and organizational change in response to changing needs and resources. 830 Main St #900, Cincinnati, OH 45202 513-381-4994 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 333 | Ju ly 1 - J u ly 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 RICARDO TAYLOR (Continued from page 12) selves in the dilemma of a supposed survival! Thus unhealthy lifestyles become a necessity for fitting in, or for, STREET VOICE creating that place of comfort, which brings about ease/escape. The reality is ‘I must survive at any cost.’ When living in despair, hopes are rare. Life is lived by the moment; no future, no past, every thought, every Crying Rain Looking out the window The rain is falling hard, and fast 13 act is predicated on the now. Too, often the reality becomes flawed, and the individual gets lost in supposed needs. We get lost in the idea of doing what we “gotta do” when the truth is we ‘need to do what we need to do’! A simple line, with even simpler choices; we find ourselves standing on the edge. Needing to maintain a perceived status we neglect the true necessities of a long and healthy life. Life’s major maintenance schemes become secondary. ‘I don’t have time to sit in the doctors’ office; I don’t have time to worry about safety concerns, I need to take the chance! ‘It’s now or never’, ‘I gotta have what I gotta have!’ Always on the edge, treading forward without direction or concern for any, as long as you can teeter without slipping into an abyss you believe you are heading in the right direction, that path which will lead you forward in your struggles. For many it’s the plight of life, that for which they exist, their very essence is right on the edge! ------------------------ There are intervals of thunder Slashing ever so often INTOXICATION And then it suddenly stops Until the next thunder slash appears Intoxication is being drunk if only for a little while It lets you know that God is, near Intoxication can become a bad habit with a crooked smile So take heed Being high and drunk all alone really makes no sense Listen to his might Because thunder and rain, Will, be coming KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer Being homeless, a panhandler and a drunk can be a bad defense The fear of not knowing what your next move can possibly be Can be intoxicating without a drink, please believe me The fear of failure constantly day in and day out Can be an eye opener to a drunk to make a change, no doubt Once you realize that there is another way to live everyday To work, maintain your money and eventually find a place to stay Things start to fall in order for you surely but slowly As you start to make a change in your life ever so boldly Intoxicating thoughts will no longer be able to hold you back Understanding that with the help of God you can get your life on track So don’t stay intoxicated by the fears of the world today Go to church, read the bible and get on your knees and pray! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer FAT CATS RULE Most pundits are more than willing to bet, 2016 will be the most costly campaign yet. Citizens United has opened up a floodgate, And Fat Cats dole out dollars at a record rate. Sheldon Adelson and those brothers Koch Dispense their millions - and that's no joke! Hillary claims that she will need one-billion, And Congressional races may cost a zillion. And what about billionaire Donald Trump? How much moola does he plan to dump? BILL WOODS Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES July 1 - July 14, 2016 | No. 333 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 102 Across 1. At that time 5. Slide without control 9. Singing voice 13. An actor's portrayal 14. Internal 16. Prevaricator 17. Translucent mineral 18. Female relative 19. Edible flatfish 20. Taut or rigid 22. Brass instrument 24. Peculiar 26. Group of three singers 27. Amiable 30. Male feline 35. Mongrel 36. Delicacy 39. Flashlight 40. Charter 42. Religious doctrine 44. Whittle 45. Embellish 47. Commence 49. Liveliness 50. Panic 52. Sent via the postal service 54. Bird shelter 57. An argument in favor of 58. Selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas 62. Bird of prey 66. Certain 67. Excluded from use or mention 69. Stomped heavily 70. Region 71. Edible bulb 72. Female red deer 73. Garment 74. A meeting arranged in advance 75. Jittery Down 1. A slow pace of running 2. Be optimistic 3. Zeal 4. Wrestling hold, can be half or full 5. Transgression 6. Create with needles and wool 7. Torpid 8. Interior layout and furnishings 9. In addition 10. Large predatory feline 11. Story 12. Metal-bearing mineral 15. Send money in payment 21. Redact 23. Item of footwear 25. Move with sudden speed 27. Usher 28. Mistake 29. Fermentation sediment of an alcoholic beverage 31. Swab 32. Have a great desire for 33. Strong and sharp 34. Those people 35. Informal conversation 37. Colony insect 38. Squad 41. Wander from a direct course 43. Snare 46. Not any 48. Become fatigued 51. Right-hand page 53. Abhor 55. Support or foundation 56. Shinbone 58. Monetary unit 59. Ship's company 60. Containing little excess 61. Water hen 63. Power system 64. Yearn 65. Miniature whirlpool 66. Droop 68. Single person or thing SODOKU PUZZLE NO 232 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 332 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 101 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 231 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 333 | Ju ly 1 - J u ly 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Bethany House 381-SAFE 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 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 Shelterhouse St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside 981-5800 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 762-5660 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 St. Vincent de Paul 241-5525 2121 Vine 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 First Step Home 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House Volunteers of America Anna Louise Inn 2401-, 2411 Reading Rd, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 2401 Reading Road, Cinti, Ohio 45202 VA VA Homeless Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry Mercy Franciscan at St. John 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 AA Hotline CCAT 351-0422 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 221-HELP 721-8666 977-6800 859-572-6226 421-0065 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS Center for Respite Care Goodwill industries Healing Connections Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Mary Magdalen House People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place Talbert House United Way Women Helping Women Off The Streets St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 621-1868 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 $100 for 26 issues $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 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 721-4700 421-7803 621-5514 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Northern Kentucky Health 621-5300 981-5800 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Advocacy 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 241-2600 241-2563 Peaslee Neighborhood Center Hamilton/Middletown 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 768-6907 Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center 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 Community Action Agency Contact Center 961-4555 381-1954 421-5211 351-3500 977-4489 Other Resources 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 Talbert House Tender Mercies 961-2256 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 562-8841 784-1853 Starting Over 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Prospect House 921-1613 661-4620 Crossroad Health Center NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 271-5501 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 721-0643 961-0600 Cincinnati Health Network 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 621-6364 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 872-9259 961-1983 535-2719 591-2246 FreeStore/FoodBank Shelter: Both Housing: OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 Parkway Center 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry Our Daily Bread 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 15 for 26 issues and a $50 donation 771-4800 751-0600 579-8547 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 751-7747 211 977-5541 421-5211 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 859-491-3335 859-572-6202 �16 S July 1 - July 14, 2016 | No. 333 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. 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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 July 1-July 14, 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director The Role of the News Media in a Democracy Pg 3: Is It too Late for Over-the-Rhine to be a Mixed-Income Neighborhood? Reclaim Your Queer! Pg 4: Meet Up with Wendell Young Is Music Hall Safe? Pg 5: Breaking the Issue Attention Cycle Pg 6: How to Respond to Panhandling Pg 7: Did Hiroshima Prevent WWIII? Pg 8: Photo Essay Pg 9: Photo Essay Pg 10: GCHC Pg 11: Breaking the Trance Poland’s Constitutional Problem is About to Become a Human Rights Problem 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 July 1-July 14, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Johnathan Diskin Thomas A. Dutton James C. Fraser Key Beck Camri Nelson Justin jeffre Jim Debrosse Dr. Mark Mussman Michael Earl Patton Steve Sunderland Peter Kobak Ricardo Taylor Willa Denise Jones Kim Green Cynthia Zulla Angela Ginty Lukasz Katlewa Aimee Willhoite Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimee Willhoite Angela Ginty Bill Woods Camri Nelson Cincinnati Cynthia Zulla Democracy Dr. Mark Mussman Gay Pride GCHC Hiroshima Human Rights James C. Fraser Jim Debrosse Johnathan Diskin Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Key Beck Kim Green LGBTQ+ Lukasz Katlewa Michael Earl Patton Music Hall Over-the-Rhine Peter Kobak Photography Poland Ricardo Taylor Steve Sunderland Street Life Thomas A. Dutton Wendell Young Willa Denise Jones WWIII https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/09b1dee89eaa12a94e68165c5ea6b191.pdf 8f21deb1b2491f92ad6bf7ceab341092 PDF Text Text December 2nd - December 15th 2016 | Vol. 20 Issue 25 (No. 344) advocating justice | Building community Reflections on 2016: Educational Program | 5 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Grid Vulnerabilities| 4 Darryl Owens Continues to Push Through With His Writing | 10 Old History Is Going Out -- Or Is It? | 7 Still giving Denver's Homeless a Voice | 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 From the Director: Ending Homelessness is Integral to the Inherent Mattering of Black Lives S ometimes people ask us why we are a part of the Countdown to Conviction [of Ray Tensing] Coalition or why we are partnered with Black Lives Matter Cincinnati. Black People account for about 45% of the city of Cincinnati, however in the last 20 years 83% of people shot (dead or alive) by Cincinnati police were Black. In the last six years 79% of complaints against police officers (examples include: discharging or pointing a gun, discourtesy, discrimination, improper entry) investigated by the Citizen Complaint Authority were made by Black People. Similarly, Black People make up approximately 25% of Hamilton County, yet Black People make up more than 65% of the shelter system.  If we accurately knew the numbers of individuals and families with children bouncing from couch to unsafe couch, this percentage would be significantly higher.  Black People bear the vast majority of the burden of the systematic problem of homelessness.  Every weekday the waiting room at Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services is filled with people trying to re-establish their food stamps or obtain temporary welfare assistance so that the remainder of their income might cover housing. Most of the people in this daily sit-in are Black. In nearly every building where we work with people to organize themselves to save their homes, almost everyone is Black.  Most everyone that has been displaced from their homes because P Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on JOSH SPRING Executive Director of gentrification and “redevelopment” is Black.  The Hamilton County Eviction courtroom is filled daily with Black People. One of the ways systematically that Black Lives are treated as if they don’t matter is homelessness.  At the Countdown to Conviction rallies, vigils and teach-ins we are talking about the overcrowding at shelters, the high numbers of people sleeping outside and the need for affordable housing- both to keep what we have and create new units. We are talking about the planned displacement of people and the many people experiencing homelessness who go uncounted by federal systems. The systematic reasons that lead to a disproportionate number of Black People losing their lives to police are the same systematic reasons that thrust a disproportionate number of Black People into homelessness. This has been a wonderfully organized, committed group of people with which we are joined.  At rallies, marches, vigils, film showings and teach-ins this collective is discussing and educating about the systematic disproportionate marginalization of Black people including police violence, disproportionate prison sentences, poverty, gentrification, displacement, housing and homelessness.  This has been a collective of reciprocity.  Participants have also come to meetings to economic issues, civil rights, the join in our efforts to promote the environment, the peace movement, development of affordable housing spirituality and the struggle both in the private sector and through against homelessness and poverty. city government departments.  Distributed by individuals experiencing People experiencing homelessness homelessness or on the edge of have chosen to be involved repeatedly homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 in the activities of this group. Donation. Streetvibes is published This group also includes: • Black Lives Matter Cincinnati • Peaslee Neighborhood Center • Interfaith Workers Center • AMOS • Black Church United • American Indian Movement • UC Students for Sam DuBose • Over-the-Rhine Community Church BILL WOODS Contributing Writer in Ohio. For Presidential elections in modern times, he noted, "Ohio has been a bellwether state that the winners carry." One key factor in Trump's victory was his appeal to white male voters. Nationally, Trump carried male voters by 12-percent, while in Ohio the number was 23-percent. He handily won in depleted industrial areas such as Youngstown, and piled up a large majority in Southeast, Ohio. It appears that the Presidentelect received the support of a high 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 While we have not had the time to be involved in every activity, over the EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org last month this group has hosted the Editor: Justin Jeffre following types of events: • spoken word gathering • educational teach-ins • film showings • vigil and rebuilding of a memorial for Sam DuBose • protest marshal training • rallies • book reading groups • marches • petition collection If you or your group would like to be involved in the Countdown to Conviction Coalition, or if you have any questions or input please send me a message. WHAT HAPPENED ON NOVEMBER 8TH? WVXU POLITICAL COMMENTATOR HOWARD WILKINSON OFFERS HIS INSIGHTS ABOUT THE ELECTION undits will be writing about the factors determining the fall election for months to come. At the November 17th Community Issues Forum, Political Commentator Howard Wilkinson of WVXU offered some initial insights about what happened nationally, locally and in Ohio. With many attendees still in shock or in mourning, the Forum was as much a therapy session as it was a provider of political analysis. "Why did Trump win?" asked Wilkinson. He then cited several reasons that were especially in play D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 percentage of Labor Union members, as his message about restoring industrial jobs resonated with this group of voters. Wilkinson said that he could sense a lack of enthusiasm for Clinton at the annual Labor Day picnic at Coney Island. Wilkinson contends that Hillary Clinton did not come through as a champion of the working people who had watched their standard of living decline. She did not spend enough time campaigning in industrial and rural areas in decline, and she did not craft an effective message that spoke to the concerns of this constituency. (Continued on page 3) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Key Beck Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Jim Luken, Michael Earl Patton, Steve Sunderland, Dr. Mark Mussman, Jason Haap, Martha Stephens, Malia Pitts, Marvin Lowery, Kim Green, Jim Northrup, Willa Denise Jones Photography/Artwork: Dr. Mark Mussman, Martha Stephens, Malia Pitts, 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. �3 LOCAL Remembering to Resist No. 344 | D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 End of the year dedication JIM LUKEN Contributing Writer T his is an essay (and a call to action) regarding Armistice Day, now called “Veterans Day” in the US, but traditionally known as “Remembrance Day” in the rest of the world. DEMOCRACY It's coming to America first The cradle of the best and of the worst It's here they got the range And the machinery for change And it's here they got the spiritual thirst It's here the family's broken And it's here the lonely say That the heart has got to open In a fundamental way Democracy is coming...to the USA from the song by Leonard Cohen, who died November 7 If you are reading this, Remembrance Day is long past. But I am writing these words on November 11th. In a few minutes, the clock hands will point themselves to 11 AM...on the 11th Day of the 11th month, the moment that (so we are told) the truce was signed, formally ending the hostilities of WWI (1918). That First World War was supposed to have brought about an “end to all wars.” Europeans who survived the bloodbath felt, in their deepest souls, that the whole thing had been too insane and too horrific. Human beings would never permit something so obscene to happen again. Obviously they were wrong. Nearly 100 years have now passed since that first 11.11.11 moment. Along with millions of war-hating people all over the world, I will observe two BILL WOODS (Continued from page 2) On the other hand, Trump had a simple slogan for these angry voters. Wilkinson pointed out another group that went more heavily for Trump in Ohio than nationally. Among white women with a college education, their percentage for him nationally was 51 to 45. In Ohio, however, this number was 55 to 41percent. One factor that should be figured into an analysis of this election, according to Wilkinson, is the drop in the number of voters. After coming minutes for silent reflection at that exact time. This is the 4th year that I have written something for Streetvibes to commemorate this day and that somber, century-old moment. As one who has been up close and personal with war, doing freelance journalism in various war zones on nine different occasions, I will tell you readers once again that I hate war more than anything. Nothing (I promise you) equals the horrors endured by ordinary people who find themselves trapped in a place where war is happening all around them. Natural disasters—tornadoes, earthquakes, floods—bring death and destruction and great misery of course, but such devastations come to a natural conclusion, and they do so in a fairly short time span. But war plows on and on and on, leaving more and more devastation, and ever-growing lists of dead and injured men, women, and children. Living in a war zone sews an ongoing fear into peoples' hearts. At any moment, a bomb might devastate your house. At any moment, a sniper might snuff out the life from your child. Unfortunately, most Americans have never had to deal with war on a personal level. I use the word “unfortunately” on purpose. If we had endured war close to home—as many in the world have been forced to do—I believe the American people would prevent our going off to bogus wars as we did in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, to name just three. A different kind of Remembrance For me, this Remembrance Day feels especially poignant, mostly because of the bizarre election that happened just two days ago. November 9, 2016. We Americans may have trouble forgetting that date. It could become another kind of Remembrance Day, one signaling not an ending, but a scary new chapter in our nation's history, Under a President Trump, who has already promised to be vicious in dealing with our enemies, the possibility of a war, even a major one, seems not only possible, but probable. The sobering reality is that our country has elected a man who has proven himself to be prejudiced against so many, a hater and a demagogue, a bully with a short attention span and a nasty temper. He has already suggested his willingness to use nuclear weapons, to press the infamous red button. When he was a relatively harmless self-promoter on TV, his favorite expression was a smug, “You're fired.” Now, those of us (like you, Reader) who believe in a modicum of kindness and compassion, will be dealing with a dictatorial personality, our worst political nightmare, on a daily basis. Only about 25 % of America's eligible voters participated in the election. At this point we have learned that Hillary Clinton actually won the election by more than 2 million votes. But there it is, the orange tycoon with those little hands, will soon to lead us into our political, social, economic future. Anything is possible. It may not be as bad as we fear. Or it could be worse. out in massive numbers for Obama, the African-American vote declined by 5-percent this fall. Negative advertising also discouraged people from voting, and potential voters were faced with choosing between two of the most unpopular candidates of modern times. "People voted out of anger," declared Wilkinson, "and he predicts there will be a lot of voter remorse in the coming months. Switching gears, Wilkinson discussed how Hamilton County is becoming Democratic. The elections of Denise Driehaus, Aftab Pureval, and Marilyn Zayas-Davis provide evidence for his contention. Cincinnati, he concluded, is now such a Democratic stronghold, that the Republican Party will be hard pressed to come up with candidates for City Council and for Mayor. Two subjects that emerged from questions and comments from Forum attendees focused on the inaccuracy of the polls and the huge role of social media in the election. Polling, admitted Wilkinson, now misses huge blocks of voters. The fact that so many households no longer have traditional telephones is a trend that pollsters have not yet come to grips with. The disturbing trend that so “Breakdown Stereotypes” Before the inauguration happens, we will move through two other memorable holidays that could bring many of us a renewed sense of hope and resolve. In midDecember, Muslim's celebrate Malwid, commemorating the birth of their esteemed prophet Mohamed, just as Christians celebrate the Birth of Jesus. Jews mark Hanukkah, the eight-day feast of lights. In a sense, all three of these important holidays are intended to make observant Muslims, Christians, and Jews, more reflective and open to peace, light and harmony. Maybe each of you, Readers, could use the holiday to look back on your own past and upon the history of our nation. What have we—each of us—done (or failed to do) in terms of making our home, our city, our country and our world a better, less hateful, place. Think hard. Remember. Not long after these holidays, most of the world observes some form of New Year’s celebration, most on January 1. On that day we can/ should set our sights on the future. Resolve to do specific things. In light of the horrible reality that came with the election of Donald Trump, each of us might focus our energies on limiting the damaging things he will most certainly try to foist upon us. The lives of the poorest, including the homeless, will probably get worse. You, Reader, might find ways to mitigate their pain. President Trump will be trying to push through programs and initiatives that you may despise. Things that are detrimental to the environment, to women's rights, or to basic human rights. He will certainly (Continued on page 10) many people get their information through social media was discussed. Instead of voters making up their minds utilizing essentially the same set of facts, many people are reading or hearing false information and fabricated stories on the Internet. Since democracy depends on compromise and coming together on essential policies and programs, a situation where large numbers of Americans are making decisions based on completely different realities bodes ill for the future. ------------------------ “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 Grid Vulnerabilities MICHAEL EARL PATTON Contributing Writer O ver the past few years several events have shown that our electrical grid is vulnerable and portions of it have gone down, sometimes for extended periods. In my recent article “Prepping” I noted that I had lost electricity at my home in Cincinnati for 3 days and then for 4 days due to weather. By keeping track of different events in the news I put together the following list of possible causes for widespread outages in the Cincinnati area. 1. Weather, 2. Human error, 3. Massive solar flare with corona mass ejection, 4. Physical attack, 5. Electromagnetic pulse, 6. Fuel shortages, and 7. Hacking This is not a comprehensive list. It concentrates on events that could damage or destroy the grid but leaves most other infrastructure intact. It does not include such things as earthquakes and tidal waves, such as those which destroyed the Fukushima nuclear reactors in Japan. Nuclear plants bring their own problems to the above list, but there are none near Cincinnati. Not all of the above possibilities have been widely reported, and I have not seen an article with descriptions of multiple causes such as I am doing here. My intent in doing so is to raise awareness of the vulnerability of the electrical grid. Everyone should be prepared for losing power for at least a few days. I’ll have a little more to say about this at the end. 1. Weather: In 1989 I lost power for 3 days due to an October snowstorm which came while the trees still had leaves on their branches. The branches snapped and took down power lines as they fell. In 2008 the remnants of Hurricane Ike blew through and the high winds took down or shorted out power lines. These outages happened to me, here inside the city limits of Cincinnati, not out in the country someplace. In January 2009 an ice storm took out power to over 2 million people in Kentucky and other states. Many people had to leave their homes until power was restored because they had no means of heating them. Per the Wikipedia, 65 people were killed, most of them due to carbon monoxide poisoning because they used power generators indoors or the improper use of kerosene heaters. 2. Human Error: On a hot August day in 2003, several human errors, a software bug (which is a type of human error), and a high voltage line contacting an over-grown tree caused a widespread blackout from Cleveland to New York City and Toronto. Cincinnati was not affected. A total of 508 generating plants at 265 different power stations shut down. Power remained off for several hours to a day, depending upon the locality. 3. Solar Flare with Coronal Mass Ejection: Sometimes during a solar flare part of the sun’s corona is flung outwards and escapes the sun’s gravity. Most of the time this ionized gas misses the planets, but every now and then a large coronal mass ejection gets close enough to strike Earth’s magnetic field. When it does, the field moves. A moving magnetic field induces current in conductors and even the ground itself. The movement of the field is slow enough that significant current can only build up over conductors that are miles or even hundreds of miles long. As it happens, electrical transmission lines are often that long. Damage so far has been extremely rare, but so far nothing has been as large as the one that struck Earth’s magnetic field in 1859. There was no electrical grid then but there was a fledgling telegraph network. There were reports that sparks flew from the equipment and some operators found that they could transmit and receive messages just by using the current induced in the telegraph wires. A very much smaller storm in 1989 tripped grid circuit breakers in Quebec and caused a power blackout that lasted several hours. A major transformer in New Jersey suffered severe damage and had to be replaced. Such transformers are not “off-the-shelf” items and can take a year to obtain, but in this case a replacement one was available from a cancelled nuclear plant project. If an event similar in size to the one in 1859 were to happen today, widespread damage to the grid is expected that could take weeks or months to repair. In October President Obama issued an executive order which “defines agency roles and responsibilities and directs agencies to take specific actions to prepare the Nation for the hazardous effects of space weather.” 4. Physical attack: A direct physical attack is also possible and Planting Seeds of Fire: The Foundation of New Cancer Care For Minorities "I was learning a lesson in cancer care. It is important to have someone you trust to help manage the case." Tom Brokaw (2015). A lucky life interrupted. Random House. 1. Introduction: New steps toward improving cancer care for minorities are underway in Cincinnati. A network of organizations are providing the foundation blocks for compassionate care. They are planting seeds that are exploding in new hopes. People scared of seeing a doctor or going to a hospital to learn about cancer are now changing their minds and taking action. New settings, new relationships, and new opportunities for a personal health care discussions have begun. A bright light has been STEVE SUNDERLAND Contributing Writer turned on. This article will explore the key actions and their implications for changing cancer care. 2. The Big Change Is Compassionate Care Through Navigation: In the past four weeks, over 500 low income people have received a form of cancer education that has emphasized the ways in which cancer can work and the necessity for early screenings to stop death. The educational process has been at dinner discussions in churches and community centers. Navigators, trained staff of the Cancer Justice Network, working with our medical director, Nemat Moussavian, MD, have provided a personal, thoughtful, and action oriented message at dinners. People, many for the first time in their adult lives, have had the opportunity of talking face to face with people who are caring about their health and survival. Their response has been to sign up for exams at Crossroad Health Center and to be accompanied to their screenings, if they want, by navigators. Previous barriers of denial about cancer's power, or, decisions to postpone seeking healthcare due to expense or poor treatment have been altered, and, clarity about survival through taking action has been initiated. People now realize that they need not be alone to face daunting obstacles to getting cancer care. 3. Why Navigation Works: Navigation has been effective because people have believed navigators can connect to the health systems in new and more effective ways. The first key of the navigator is to provide THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 has happened at least once. On April 16, 2013 gunmen attacked and knocked out the Metcalf electrical substation near San Jose, California. This happened in the early morning hours, and in the spring when electric demand was low, so there was no failure of the larger grid. It cost about $15 million and took 27 days to repair the substation. Although Pacific Gas & Electric has offered a large reward, so far there have been no suspects identified. The attack was the second of three attacks in a 3-day period. The first, on April 15th, was the Boston Marathon Bombing and has been extensively covered in the media. This, the second attack, has received very little coverage except in The Wall Street Journal. The third was the sabotage of the fertilizer plant in West Texas. The plant exploded, killing 15 people. Note that the attacks were across the United States with at least several people involved, and that whoever directed them has/ have not been caught. It is likely that the group responsible for the attack on the substation is still intact and capable of carrying out another one. 5. Electromagnetic pulse: In 1962 the United States conducted the Starfish Prime atomic bomb test 250 miles above the Earth. The bomb’s electromagnetic pulse knocked out about 300 streetlights in Honolulu, which was 900 miles away. This was an accident, but further testing showed that it would be possible to make the pulse itself a weapon that could damage or destroy the electrical grid and many electronic devices. I think this is far-fetched and the least likely scenario listed, but sometimes one hears warnings that North Korea may be developing such a weapon. 6. Fuel shortage: During a cold snap in February 2011, there was not enough natural gas to both (Continued on page 11) education about cancer at the person's level of interest and motivation. Sitting down over dinner at a church or community center and discussing the steps to finding out about cancer is an experience most people have never had. Cancer education has rarely been focused or presented in a way that personal questions and fears can be immediately addressed. Looking in the eyes of the navigator, hearing their concerns for the person's health, and realizing that the navigator will continue with the person, lights a new belief in health care. The conversation is only about caring for the individual's survival. The message the navigator is sending and that is accepted is: "You are too important to let cancer kill you. Take action. I am here for you, if you want help." Rarely in the history of health care has the poor heard such a message. Sadly, a powerful silence about cancer has been noticed by minorities and the poor, a "death silence" that is frequently the only message sent by the health (Continued on page 12) �5 LOCAL Reflections on 2016: Educational Program No. 344 | D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 6 schools participate this year in our Cincinnati Urban Experience program, from Vermont, New Hampshire, Chicago, Colorado, Miami University, and Xavier University. We received high marks on the national Break Away DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer T his is the time of the year when people typically reflect on the last 12 months and see what was positive and what was negative. 2016 may go down in the books as one of the worst or best years, but having some time to pause and think about the things we are thankful for is an American tradition that families celebrate during Thanksgiving. This year, thousands of people were served Thanksgiving dinner at the Duke Energy Convention Center, marking a significant number of people who may have dined alone, or those who may not even have a dinner table. Some of the highlights of 2016 have been through our education program at the Homeless Coalition. We have spoken to thousands of high school and college students, hundreds of people at churches, and we have reached many more through our social media and attendance at events. I will look fondly back at this year’s Speaker’s Bureau engagements, as I have heard Sam, Melissa, Willa, Cleo, Lauren, Nyah, and Gina tell their stories to captivated audiences of all ages. Since everyone who has experienced homelessness has a different perspective, I am always amazed at the new things I learn each An Alternative Break Group Learns about Anti-German Hysteria at Findlay Market Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman This time of year, organizations across the city get together to show their kindness and dedication. I am thankful for the work of the Homeless Coalition this year, and I look forward to our Annual Dinner on December 7th to celebrate and give out meaningful rewards to people in our community that have been engaged in purposeful work across the region. time I hear one of the speakers tell their story. Through the Speaker’s Bureau and other events, I learn new things, not only about their personal lives, but also about the educational system, the judicial system, and ways in which the system in general puts up barriers for people’s success. In fact, I learned this year that there are over 800 laws in Ohio restricting A High School Group after the People's Movement Social Justice Walking Tour Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman people who have felony records from gaining work. This information came out of the event that the Homeless Coalition sponsored with Community Shares and other organizations called “The Poverty Un-Summit: There is Enough” where David Singleton from the Ohio Justice and Policy Center discussed the ways in which people with records are treated once they return to the general population. Also at the Un-Summit, I learned that the State of Ohio still has not fixed the illegal way we fund our public schools, and that there are no charter schools with an “A” or “B” rating in Ohio, yet we spend more per student at charter schools than neighborhood schools. The Un-Summit was just one event that opened my eyes to new things. We have one of the best Alternative Break programs in the entire country at the Homeless Coalition. This is in no small part due to the fact that the Coalition has so many community supporters that help educate participants on topics such as redlining, wage theft, displacement, gentrification, historical perspectives, community struggles, and poverty. We had We should engage in conversations with people we disagree with O xford Dictionaries has named "post-truth" as the word of the year. Living in a "post-truth" world means that facts get trumped by personal beliefs and emotional responses. Unfortunately, there is nothing new about this phenomenon - even if the trending use of the phrase is new. If you are an ardent #BlackLivesMatter supporter, and I start talking about the importance of respecting police officers, there is a high likelihood you will reach JASON HAAP Contributing Writer a premature conclusion about my point, characterizing your fabricated red-herring as an example of racism. (Perhaps my use of the word "you" in the previous sentence strikes you as aggressive, or even a bit personal. If so, that's an example of your beliefs and emotions getting in the way of the facts!) It is totally possible, of course, to believe in respecting police officers without being racist. Similarly, if you are an #AllLivesMatter supporter, and I start talking about police brutality, you might very well be incapable of hearing my point behind your frenzied emotional responses. All of this is further aggravated by the fact that most of us think our personal beliefs are "correct," whereas we think other people are "wrong." No one, to my knowledge, is capable of sincerely believing something known to be factually incorrect. I can't even imagine the possibility. As a case in point, I feel rather confident that all of my personal beliefs are factually correct, though I can't ever seem to find THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED clearinghouse, as well as, high praise at a national conference on service learning. We have already booked a group in early January from Dayton, and the University of Vermont in March. These programs are intensive, immersive, and give participants a real-life view of life in Over-theRhine, complete with struggle and cooperation, scarcity and generosity. Students come away with a toolkit to bring back to their communities and work on social justice issues at home. Our Over-the-Rhine People’s Movement Social Justice Walking Tours were again a big hit this year, with tours given each month. I expanded the tour into new territories (Northern Liberties, as well as Ziegler Park, which is currently undergoing a Washington Park-like transformation.) A full tour would take about 3 hours, but we are able to give a great tour in about an hour. We have given the tours to people of all ages, from many different groups and backgrounds. As history is currently being rewritten in the neighborhood, it’s important to keep our eye on the (Continued on page 7) people who agree with me about everything! I don't know how to fix this problem. Sometimes, I think it important that we earnestly engage with people who are different. Increasingly, though, our culture has become more ideologically self-segregated. And, despite what I just wrote, I don't really want to engage with people who are clearly disgusting and wrong - such as, say, racist neo-Nazis. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe even the racist neoNazi ended up that way, at least in part, because he or she never had earnest interactions with people maintaining different beliefs. ------------------------ �6 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 �LOCAL Old History Is Going Out -- or Is It? On the Tragi-Comedies of U. S. Inaugurations 7 No. 344 | D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 F riends, we’ll soon be inaugurating a new president, and the piece below describes one person’s thoughts about the first inauguration of Obama. Even this one was not all that pretty, so just imagine how we will feel on January 20, 2017! I’M AT PLAZA SUITES for a winter stay, my friends, and I’m watching on T. V. a popular tragicomedy of the day -- the U. S. inauguration of 2009. It’s worth turning on the big eye to see, on the inaugural platform, Mr. Cheney rolled about in a wheelchair. MARTHA STEPHENS Contributing Writer out of his office the other day and hurt his back. This is a man whose personal papers have brought pain to many citizens of the world, pain a good deal worse than a strained back -- the ultimate pain, in fact, for many, of disappearance from the earth. I assume the grandmas of Baghdad who happen to be still alive would be gratified today if they could see Mr. Cheney departing in a wheelchair. HISTORY will change now, the T. V. tells us in awed tones. Obama will change us. But I expect the fat and satisfied celebrities of governments, old and new, whom we see flocking now onto the distinguished platforms of the swearing-in, do not wish old history that has rendered them so fat and satisfied, with rolls of money in the bank and fancy homes in no grave danger of foreclosure. Why would they want to see it change, this old history of ours? I watch what I watch standing up before the T. V., to focus my eyes the better, and I look beyond it from time to time through my floor-to-ceiling window into the courtyard of my motel. I see Tim, the gardener and man of all work, toiling up the outer stairs across the way to the third floor. Perhaps a toilet has flooded up there or a blind come down or a fire alarm gone off. Tim is not watching the new history coming in on the television peaceful transition, as if every other country of the world but us is ruled by coups and assassinations. I recall a statement by my socialist friend Tony Benn of England: if elections meant anything, we wouldn’t be allowed to have them. Two of the performers today are worth watching, I find -- Aretha Franklin, with a raving, nearly mad concoction of “My Country Tis of Thee,” and an old guy from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a Reverend Lowry, who speaks an old man’s scratchy, unreconstructed truth, asks almighty our Streetvibes Shadow activity. Students learn about Cincinnati’s Anti-Solicitation Laws from a current Streetvibes Distributor, usually Lee, and they hear a little bit about his background. Once they have practiced their pitch, they hit the streets and try to distribute the paper, for a $2 donation. This activity really opens students up to a new level of understanding – not only about the difficulty in distributing the paper, but also how important it is to treat people with respect and compassion. I highly suggest this for any group of teens or young adults. The Homeless Coalition should be very proud of the organizing work we’ve accomplished this year – from keeping hundreds of families in their home, seeing better living conditions, to fighting unjust laws, and demanding accountability in our city leadership – the Coalition has had a year full of advocacy and education like no other, and I am certainly very proud to be a part of it! Credit:Martha Stephens A crude thought, I suppose, but somehow the image of this is fetching. We’re told that Dick Cheney is in a wheeled chair because he was moving boxes of his personal papers DR. MARK MUSSMAN (Continued from page 5) People’s History and how we have been able to create and secure affordable housing to strengthen our community. We have also helped students expand their ability to empathize with people who panhandle through history to change. The old history is plenty good enough for them. It’s the but simply trying to earn his $7.25 an hour -- no benefits. There’s no mention in the services today of the grandmas of Baghdad. They would not make a pretty subject, after all, for our selfsatisfied rites of passage. Diane Feinstein is our host, and she says we should be as proud as punch of our (Continued on page 10) ------------------------ Alternative Break Students help double bag for donations A Speaking event with Sam Jackson Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �e 8 NATIONAL City of New York sued by Philadelphia’s Homeless Advocacy Project over denial of homeless rights D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 ALEXIS WRIGHT-WHITLE T he Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP), a nonprofit legal services organization in Philadelphia, has sued New York City (NYC) for their refusal to issue birth certificates to NYC-born residents of Philadelphia. HAP deemed NYC's action unconstitutional. Photo IDs needed to thrive Helping homeless clients obtain their birth certificates so they can then obtain a photo ID is just one of the 50 different kinds of civil legal cases HAP handles. "A photo ID is state issued and necessary for so many varying things, such as getting into a building, applying for services, or getting housing," says Marsha Cohen, HAP's Executive Director. In order to obtain an ID, a birth certificate must be present. Yet, without an ID, a copy of a birth certificate cannot be obtained. This is the catch-22 that many people affected by homelessness find themselves in. Because people often do not possess documents that are used to prove their name and address, they are left without either form of identification, which hinders them from qualifying for jobs or other avenues of assistance. Through the Attorney Protocol, HAP makes arrangements for Philadelphians affected by homelessness to receive copies of their birth certificate at no cost. The system allows a person experiencing homelessness to give volunteer attorneys the authorisation to apply and receive copies of a birth certificate on the client's behalf. The process requires attorneys to gather all necessary biographical information for their client, complete the application forms and pay the fees. They also must supply their own photos IDS and law licenses. Attorney Protocol is acceptable in every birth-issuing authority with New York City the only exception. It even differs from New York State, which like all other U.S. recognised and accepts Attorney Protocol. Policy at play and in the way New York City policy is what nullifies Attorney Protocol in the Big Apple; it requires the application to include a current, governmentissued photo ID or two proofs of ID for the client. This has proven to be an obstacle for Philadelphians affected by homeless who were born in New York City; they have no proof of address and rely on Attorney Protocol because they do not have a government issued ID. Cohen and HAP have seen this serve as an obstacle firsthand for many of their clients. COURTESY OF ONE STEP AWAY/INSP.NGO "We have a number of clients who can't get into treatment for drug and alcohol issues in Philadelphia without a photo ID that shows they have a [city] address," Cohen says. "We have a number of clients who have been waiting on the PHA vouchers for months because they're missing birth certificates for members of their family who were born in New York City, including one veteran family." The NYC Commissioner and NYC Department of Health and Hygiene are delegated to regulate the issuances of birth certificates and their copies to individuals born in the city's five boroughs because of an Administrative Code in the city's Health Code. The Code states that copies of birth certificates can only be issued if the seeker has any of the following: a driver's license, public benefit card, passport, certificate of naturalisation, military ID card, employee photo ID, MTA reduced fare Metro Card, student ID, or inmate photo ID. If the attorney cannot include any of those forms of ID with the application, under the Health Code, two proofs of address in the form of utility bills and a letter from a government agency can be submitted in lieu of ID. In response to several failed attempts to claim birth certificates for NYC-born clients in conjunction with threats of suits, HAP decided its only recourse was to commence a lawsuit. Certificates refused HAP brought two of NYC-born clients, Anthony Green and John Kagain, who were refused birth certificates to serve as plaintiffs in the case. HAP has approximately 55 open cases for those whom it was not able to get birth certificates for from NYC. "[Green and Kagain] have very clear cases," Cohen says as to how HAP chose them to serve as Plaintiffs in the suit. "They're really compelling, and we are still in touch with them. So many of the folks who can't get services kind of float in and out of our contact. These two guys, when we were actually putting our complaint together, were very much in constant contact with us and eager for us to move the litigation forward." Green, 57, was born in the Bronx and moved to Philadelphia when was 5-years-old. Homelessness became a factor in his life when his house burned down. In the fire, his belongings, including his photo ID were destroyed. The Homeless Advocacy Project hosted a Birth Certificate Clinic earlier in the year, with pro bono volunteers from seven corporations and six law firms and prepared birth certificates for 197 clients. Courtesy of One Step Away THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Green was left without a government- issued ID or a mailing address. Through HAP, Attorney DeFlece worked with Green, submitting the application to receive a copy of a birth certificate on Green's behalf. NYC says they were able to locate a birth certificate for Green but refused to release it because his application did not include the three identity verification documents. Kagain, 56, was also denied his birth certificate. Brooklyn born, Kagain obtained his master's degree from George Washington University and a law degree from Temple University, becoming a Philadelphia resident in 1991. A serious illness led him to his homelessness. From living on the street, Kagain's Pennsylvania driver's license was stolen or lost, and his passport and birth certificate were also stolen. Attorney Morrow submitted an application to NYC for Kagain through HAP. Morrow heard nothing for six months and resubmitted the documents, where the Department refused to issue the birth certificate. It says that their records indicated that Kagain was deceased. "The people we are trying to help have a desperate need for essential services such as housing, medical treatment, and employment," Cohen says. "But access to those services require state issued IDs, and people need their birth certificates in order to obtain their IDs." A plea for justice In its complaint, HAP stated that it spends substantially more time assisting NYC-born clients due to the NYC Policy. According to HAP, the policy violates the due process component of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and is therefore unconstitutional. HAP's mission is to provide free, civil legal services to homeless individuals and families residing in Philadelphia shelters and to advocate for change in the broader systems affecting homeless people. Its overarching goals are to increase the stability and functioning of their clients. Since its founding in 1990, HAP has served more than 42,810 homeless individuals and families. The legal organisation conducts more than 125 annual legal clinics at 25 shelters, soup kitchens, transitional housing facilities, and overnight cafes in Philadelphia. "Our city is ahead of the curb," says Cohen. "I think people really take the photo ID for granted. It's really frightening when you think about it: when you can't get an ID and you can't apply for services, don't (Continued on page 12) �NATIONAL Still giving Denver’s homeless a Voice after 20 years No. 344 | D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 ELEANOR SUSAN LIM T 9 INSP. Among the advantages is the access to shared street paper content through the unique INSP News Service. "Support from INSP and content from the INSP News Service COURTESY OF INSP.NGO he very first issue of the Denver Voice was put together with a single typewriter and a donated social security check. 20 years later, the Voice has employed more than 4,000 people experiencing homelessness and poverty, helping them move off the street and into other jobs. Now a veteran of the street paper network, the Voice has withstood staff changes and financial troubles. This month they celebrate their 20th birthday by looking back on their successes in a special edition of the paper. "There have been several versions of the Voice. Each had its own passionate group of people working hard behind the scenes to make sure the paper went to press," says current editor Sarah Harvey. "Each eventually ran out of money, but managed to pass the torch on to another group instead of letting it die completely. "During the past two decades our editorial operations have been run from a booth in the back of a dive bar, a corner of a municipal building, a room in a church, and even a few official office spaces." In 1996, when the paper began, Shirley Whiteside's work at the Denver Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen led her to cross paths with two regulars from the St. Francis Centre, refuge for men and women who are homeless in the metro Denver area. Jo-Jo DeHerrera and Floyd 'Tumbleweed' Hamilton shared Shirley's frustration with the low profile for issues affecting the homeless among the general public. With a shared love of Seattle street paper Real Change, the enterprising Raelene Johnson says the Voice never cared about her past. “This is so much more dignified than holding up a sign.” Credit: Denver Voice Denver Voice vendor Rodney Woolfolk. To date, the Voice has employed 4329 people. Credit: Denver Voice trio got together to print the first edition. The paper's first incarnation lasted until 2006, when it was forced to cease publication due to a lack of funding. Until then the Voice had been distributed for free to vendors, and then sold on the street by members of Denver's homeless community, including their very first vendor Bruce Wright. When financial troubles overtook the team, it was one of Bruce's regular customers, local businessman Rick Barnes, who resurrected the paper a year later in 2007. The changes Rick made have endured: he implemented an official vendor programme, based on the INSP (International Network of Street Papers) model, and hired professional journalists to help with organisational and editorial tasks. They reported on local news and helped give a voice to the homeless has been crucial in getting us through the leaner years," she explains. For some vendors, the paper has been life-changing. Raelene Johnson is one such person. "I walked into the Denver Voice office, and they didn't care about my past, they didn't care about anything but my desire to work," she says. Since getting her vendor's badge Raelene has stopped using drugs, and now owns her own home. She takes obvious pride in her work: "This is so much more dignified than holding up a sign." When John Alexander first became a vendor eight years ago, he had no plans to stay with the paper. "[My main intention was] getting my free papers, getting some money, and buying some dope," he says, "but I ended up with this sense of pride, running my own business. I've taken advantage of every opportunity, like writing for the paper." John Alexander has been a vendor for eight years. "I've taken advantage of every opportunity." Credit: Denver Voice An infographic charting the history of the Denver Voice. Credit: Morgan Kinney community in Denver and beyond. Sarah Harvey believes this approach gives the paper credibility, as does connecting with the wider street paper movement through THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED His involvement has changed the way others see him, too. "I'm a known community figure now, because of (Continued on page 11) �10 LOCAL Darryl Owens continues to push through with his writing in remembrance of his girlfriend MALIA PITTS “S he supported me 100% and was behind everything I did,” Owens said. Darryl Owens, a local author, lost his girlfriend to Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer back in September of this year. In her remembrance, Owens plans to continue with his writing and hopes to gain the publicity he feels he deserves. Owens has written two works of fiction that have received positive reviews on Amazon,” Sworn not to Betray,” and “A Silent Killer Within.” His first novel, “Sworn not to Betray,” is about two major crimes that take place in Cincinnati within 6 months of each other on the same exact date. The police commissioner assigns three top detectives to lead the investigation, only to find out that one of the detectives are working with the criminals who are suspects behind one of the crimes. When Owens was incarcerated back in 1989 to 1994, he began working on “Sworn not to betray,” spending much of his time, reading and writing. “I was in Warren Correctional Institution at the time and somedays I had to spend 22hrs in a cell. I had nothing else to do but read, but that’s when I became fascinated with the work of fiction. It amazed me how authors could turn something totally fictional and make it appear real,” he said. Owens believed that he had the potential to produce a great work of fiction. He began to write, ideas flowing from his thoughts onto paper, after just two words the story unfolded. When he was released from prison in 1994, Owens put his writing on hold, as the streets of Cincinnati took a hold of him. “I put the book down for a while. MARTHA STEPHENS (Continued from page 7) god to forgive us our sins against each other and the world. That is his theme: forgiveness. He doesn’t sound all that hopeful about it though. He’s noticing, no doubt, as I am, that we don’t seem to be asking for forgiveness today. And even if we do ask, could forgiveness ever come to a people as violent as we are? Notes: In September 2016 the JIM LUKEN (Continued from page 3) be trying to destroy as much of our Public School system as he can. Even Medicare and Social Security could be on the line. He will seek to install partisan, retrograde judges at every level. But you, Reader, and I (writer) Contributing Writer I started ripping and running the streets, doing petty crimes, and getting high, the book wasn’t on my his second novel, based in Minnesota was published. Even though he had a new work of fiction on his hands, his Darryl Owens Credit: Malia Pitts D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 for his work. “Cincinnati is very biased. If you don’t come from a certain background, they don’t want to recognize you. It really hurts to know that someone who is a Cincinnati Native and has written a novel based in the city, still can’t get any recognition. That’s the biggest hurdle I’m dealing with now. It almost makes me want to move out the city and see how far things can go somewhere else,” he said. Owens plans to continue to self-promote his work in hopes to eventually gain the publicity he feels he deserves. “I received good reviews online for both books. If I keep getting good reviews, at some point the door must open to for big name publicist to finally take notice,“ he said. Even though Owens wanted to give up, his girlfriend was always the support system he needed to keep him going. “She was amazing and still is an amazing person. She was a big part of the inspiration behind me wanting to become very successful in my writing,” he said emotionally. After her diagnosis with cancer, Owens put his promotion and writing on hold for two years to help take care of her and the home they shared. “She made sure to motivate me, even when she was sick and not feeling her best, she always made sure to encourage me. Sometimes I catch my self-waiting on her call but then I realize, I’m never getting another call again,” he added. Owens plans to continue with his work, now more motivated than ever, he plans to work on a sequel to “Sworn not to Betray” and an auto biography about his life. “I want her to be able to look down and smile. I want to leave a legacy behind for my children and grandchildren. I want to be known as Darryl the author, not Darryl the drug addict or the homeless man,” he said “I’m going to continue to pursue my dream and I won’t give up until I’ve reached it,” he added. mind at the time,” he said. On October 5th, 2010, Owens finally completed his first novel. Taking his work to the public library, he began to search for publishers and found an online publishing site, where he could submit his manuscript. “I was so elated when I logged into my email and saw that my book was accepted, till this very day I still feel the same. The first thing I did was call my daughter,” he said. Later, main concern was his first novel, not getting the publicity it deserves. “I’m more focused on “Sworn not to Betray,” because it has the potential to be made into a film, I just need the publicity to make that happen,” he added. Over the past seven years, Owens was off and on homeless, living on the same streets he grew up on. He never lost hope and continued to push through with gaining publicity rising clock of the Iraq Body Count showed the documented deaths of civilians in Iraq since 2003 to be 187,161. The actual deaths may be twice that number. The Dick Cheney mentioned above was the CEO of the firm Halliburton until he left it to run for vice president in 2000. Once in office, he continued to receive deferred salary from this military contractor, estimated by the NYT in 2004 to have earned over five billion dollars for providing, very poorly and without competitive bidding, food, housing, fuel, and other logistical support for U. S. troops. Martha Stephens investigated the radiation experiments at U. C. in the late 90‘s and led a lawsuit to compensate the families of the victims. Twenty-one people coming to a cancer clinic at General Hospital had died within a month of being irradiated over their whole bodies. Stephens’ book The Treatment: the story of those who died in the Cincinnati radiation tests (Duke University Press) appeared in 2002. A new book Me and the Grandmas of Baghdad (2015) is a memoir about her life growing up in South Georgia, raising a family in Cincinnati, and teaching at U. C. can decide to stand up to much of this. We can pick our fights. We can choose the best tactics in fighting the corruption and the corporatization that is coming our way. There will be many opportunities to take to the streets. The powerful despise when the people assume a power of their own. We must try to grasp the significance of Remembrance Day. Resolve to keep the next war from happening, even if it means putting yourself on the line, risking more that you ever thought yourself capable of risking. Remember the world famous song/chant that came out of the Chilean struggles of the '70s. El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido! “The people united will never be defeated!” Leonard Cohen sang that “democracy is coming” here, but it looks more like fascism. Let's agree to do all we can to prevent that outcome. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ She blogs at marthastephens. wordpress.com. ------------------------ ------------------------ �11 LOCAL No. 344 | D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 Over-the-Rhine Sunflower Challenge There are hidden treasures all around your community. CAN YOU FIND THEM ALL? Post a picture of yourself with the hidden sunflowers using the hashtag: #otrsunflowerchallenge ELEANOR SUSAN LIM (Continued from page 9) the Denver Voice. I'm even known as the honorary mayor of the Stapleton neighbourhood - I haven't been booted out of office yet!" As the team plan celebrations for the big two-zero, what does the future hold for the Denver Voice? John Alexander is optimistic. "I think the 20th anniversary shows that the Voice is doing something right." Back when the Denver Voice relaunched in 2007, Kali Lynn, the paper's first editor, said: "The truth is that each incarnation of the Voice has MICHAEL EARL PATTON (Continued from page 4) heat homes and to generate all the electricity that was needed in Texas. Rotating blackouts were the result. The problem is created because we are shutting down coal-fired plants and using gas-fired ones instead. Natural gas is certainly a cleaner-burning fuel, but combined with the decrease in drilling for gas the chances for a supply shortage increase. See my articles this year on Duke Energy’s new proposed gas pipeline for more information. 7. Hacking: In December 2015 unknown hackers took remote control of the power system’s own computers to turn off the circuit breakers to almost a quarter million residents in Ukraine. This is the first verified hacking of an electrical grid been fuelled by the energy, charisma, personality, and excitement that a handful of people brought to the paper." Considering all the challenges the Voice has faced, Sarah Harvey agrees. "The Voice will continue to adapt to meet the needs of the people we serve," she says. "I think our greatest achievement is that we're still here." COURTESY OF INSP.NGO -----------------------A selection of Denver Voice covers from the last 20 years. Credit: Denver Voice and lasted several hours. According to an article in Wired magazine, the United States is also vulnerable to such an attack. And, unlike Ukraine, many of our grid’s circuit breakers cannot be reset manually. Hacking was also the premise for a recent National Geographic program, “American Blackout.” Though the details of the fictional blackout are somewhat unrealistic – the entire contiguous United States loses power for 10 days and then it all comes back on again – it does a fair job of showing different situations of people trying to cope without power. Most people depicted aren’t prepared at all, and one family is prepared and way, way over-reacts. Getting Ready: This depends a lot on your own circumstances. Everyone should have flashlights, probably a lantern, a battery-powered radio (maybe even one equipped with a hand crank generator), food and water for a few days, and a way to heat or cook the food if needed. I have a battery-powered television which I bought at a major truck stop. I have a gas stove so I can, and have, cooked without electricity. How much more one does depends on your own assessments. My mother lives in a part of Indiana that seems to lose power for a few hours every winter. She has a gas fireplace in the living room that can run without electricity. When the power goes out and her place starts getting cold, she will shelter in the living room. I am more tolerant of cold, but of course I have sweaters, a couple extra blankets, a knit cap, and winter socks. I have a gas water heater with a pilot light, which enables me to take hot showers even if the power is out. Since I get up THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED before dawn, the last time the power went out I used a battery-powered lantern in the bathroom, which has a more even light than a flashlight. I don’t have a fireplace or woodburning stove, but I wish I did in case I were to lose power for an extended period when it is really cold outside. If I ever were to build new, I would include one in the plans. I am going to stop here. There is simply too much variation from one person’s circumstances to another’s for me to make more specific recommendations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) recommendations for preparedness in general – not just an extended blackout -- can be found at www.ready.gov and a brief description of supplies at www.ready. gov/kit. ------------------------ �12 OPINION D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 ello. My name is Marvin Lowery. I am a forty-sixyear-old disabled African American homeless writer, who was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was born on Winneste Avenue in Winton Terrace housing projects, attended CAPE (Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education), and was a gymnastics sensation as a child. I also grew up in the Fay apartments on Nottingham drive and attended Roll Hill Elementary. Because I grew up in an abusive household, my grandmother was granted custody of me and my older sister by two years and we moved to Lincoln Heights, Ohio. I went to Lincoln Heights Elementary and Princeton Junior/high school, located in Sharonville, Ohio. I excelled in all areas of academics (e.g., spelling bee champ, poetry club, debate team, ran track and played wide receiver for the Princeton Vikings from 1983 until 1987.) I was a product of a deranged dysfunctional family tree and became mentally ill (sick) in 1989, right before I graduated high school. Even though I have an extensive work history, psychological trauma and sexual abuse as a child, made me eligible for SSI-disability benefits because a review panel for Social Security thought that I was mentally retarded. I completed a day program in Corryville called Sami STEVE SUNDERLAND trust, sharing opportunities to listen, offering assistance to cancer exams and to transportation to health centers, and recognizing how to accept when people do not want to proceed, makes up a warm continuing education of compassion. 5. What Kind of Training is Necessary For Navigation?: We wanted our navigators to understand the pioneering work in navigation of Harold Freeman, MD. Dr. Freeman, a cancer surgeon at Harlem Hospital in New York City, 26 years ago, realized that his patients were arriving too late for successful treatment due to the progression of their cancers. His approach to change was to identify, train, and hire people to be community navigators. They would connect to community organizations and seek to bring people to the hospital for exams at an earlier stage in the development of their cancer. Over 5 years, Dr. Freeman and his navigators dramatically changed the mortality of minorities. So successful was his program, that national studies were funded, and eventually every cancer hospital was required to have "patient navigators." We also wanted our navigators to hear from people who were trained by Dr. Freeman and/or who had experienced navigation of a family member or friend. Our navigators heard from Dr. Anjanette Wells, a graduate of Dr. Freeman's training and a professor of social work at UC, from Sue Wilke who was a part of a team of friends that created a navigation process, and from Kiana Traube, an executive with the YMCA, about the navigation role she created to assist a family member. Their stories of creating new structures of caring around family and friends with cancer impressed us with their determination, creativity, and courage. We learned that navigators can be crucial in the survival of people with cancer. We wanted our training to look into the area the emotions connected to cancer care. Chris Lottman, retired professor of social work, provided an in-depth review of how the emotions can be used in effective communication and relationships with people struggling with cancer. In small groups, we discussed the emotional realities facing navigators and people who are afraid of finding out about cancer. Chris helped us see that the "emotional intelligence" of the navigator is a key to building trust, sparking openness, and establishing a relationship that can endure painful moments. Finally, we wanted navigators to understand and hear just how our medical director would present a brief talk on cancer and screening. Realizing that the presentation would be for average people meant thinking about what people, in general, needed to hear in order to begin a thinking process about whether cancer could affect them. Dr. Moussavian gave several talks that modified his presentation and prepared the navigators for key points that could be expanded in small groups at the dinners we expected to attend. We wanted to have Dr. Moussavian give valuable information to people considering a cancer screening without either scaring them or giving so much information that the person was drowning in detail. Most of all, our message should be that information about cancer is comprehensible and helps any attempts to fight cancer. 6. Where Does Navigation Occur?: The Cancer Justice Network is made up of over 20 organizations that serve the poor and especially minorities. We have started to begin our navigation process in those agencies that offer a weekly dinner and to join the dinner and add cancer education to the discussion. Christ Church Cathedral has had two meetings and one additional meeting is planned for the new year; Madisionville Education and Assistance Center has held one meeting and another is scheduled; and Northside Christian Church has held one meeting. Each meeting was an opportunity to be introduced by staff to the idea of cancer education and prevention. We have found two meetings at each agency to be beneficial. In the coming months, we will be at Southern Baptist Church and additional members of the Cancer Justice Network. (Please look at our website to see the full list of agencies: cancerjusticenetwork.org) 7. What Have We Learned?: We have learned that by personalizing cancer education many people will be encouraged to take action and get a cancer exam. Sharing the idea of navigation, of accompanying people, is a new idea for people and we are looking for ways of suggesting this form of assistance that is readily acceptable. The most powerful learning is about the strength of compassionate discussion to trigger a desire to discuss personal and family health. Each meeting has been an opportunity to participate in discussions about family histories of caring that have sidestepped cancer or stories about deaths from cancer that might have been prevented. These insights have arisen because of the trust people have shown in our navigators and in the welcoming attitudes of Crossroad Health Center in the registration process. We are seeing the outline of a new kind of health service, a future in which caring is located in places where people feel warmth and caring as well as efficient connections to needed services. We are all learning that healthcare can be a positive and productive experience if navigation is genuinely offered. striking down the voter ID law, which would require a photo ID from everyone casting a ballot at the polls during the general election this month. Yet, first-time voters must bring a form of photo ID to the polls. "When you make people jump through hoops in order to exercise a basic right, questions need to be asked and answered," says Cohen. HAP's demands in this case include the court declaring that: the NYC Policy violates the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment; NYC be revoked of its ability to deny birth certificates on the basis of the NYC Policy; and Green and Kagain's attorneys' fees, costs and all other proper relief be awarded. HAP's initial conference with a judge is scheduled for December. "Some of these people are just out of luck [if the NYC Policy isn't revoked], where they have been for years and years," Cohen says. "So e effectively, nothing changes because they have been somehow managing to survive without identification. But there's only good news ahead. I'd be really surprised if we were not successful." To learn more about the Homeless Advocacy Project or become a legal volunteer, visit www. homelessadvocacyproject.org MEET MARVIN MARVIN LOWERY H Contributing Writer (Continued from page 4) profession. The navigator is aware of the prior experience of indifference and, in a short time, acts to change the framework for the meaning of caring. 4. Who Are the Navigators?: Navigators come from several different groups. Seven of our navigators are experienced community organizers. They see cancer education and prevention as an important addition to their work on community education, caring about wages and benefits for care providers, caring about mental illness problems, caring about the psychology of children needing help, or having experience supporting people with terminal cancer, and caring for children as nannies. Their prior experience adds a solid base for reaching out to people in church and community center dinners. Also navigators are first year medical students from the University of Cincinnati. The desire to help has been a key reason for wanting to be a doctor. Nursing students from the school of nursing at Xavier University share similar concerns as do social work students from UC, and health communication students from UC, too. Over 40 people have been through an extensive training and have continued their education about navigation through individual and team approaches in our churches and community centers. The mixture of very experienced community navigators with college students with varied ideas about navigation has led to a powerful approach to the idea of effective navigation. Each navigator brings both a personal experience about cancer as well as some professional understanding of how the health system is working for minorities and low income populations. Building ALEXIS WRIGHT-WHITLE (Continued from page 8) qualify for housing, and can't get benefits because you just can't get this document from a government agency that really should be thinking about it from the point of view of the folks who really need it." Cohen also praised the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED and was granted a part time job and first apartment by Queen City Case management (currently GCB.) I met a much older black woman named Michelle who would eventually turn my life upside down because of alleged domestic abuse, and ruin my reputation in Cincinnati forever. In closing. Extreme identity theft scams have left me as a "dead cell" to society (dead man walking.) I am currently fighting my way out of a homeless situation. feel free to follow me at; lowerymarvin@facebook. Read my most recent public posts. ---warm regards: Marvin. Eagerly awaiting a response. ------------------------ �13 STREET VOICE No. 344 | D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 XMAS “rez car” Xmas is here It’s that time of year There’s lots of family And sharing Lots of love, lots of caring It’s the start of the New Year Xmas is every day Especially when you have hope With cheer paving the way For a Happy New Year KIM GREEN Contributing Writer It’s 17 years old It’s been used a lot more than most. It’s louder than a747 It’s multicolored and none of the tires are brothers I’m the 7th or 8th owner I know I’ll be the last What’s wrong with it? Well, the other day the steering wheel fell off. The Radio doesn’t work but the heater works The seats have seen more asses than a proctologist I turn on the key, it starts I push the break, it stops. What else is a car supposed to do? JIM NORTHRUP 1943-2016 Native American Vietnam Veteran SANTA CLAUS Today while watching the news I heard that Santa Claus arrived in a helicopter They also talked about tax cuts and how the politicians were eating out at Red Lobster What happened to the days when the bells rang for Santa Claus, his reindeer and sled What happened to the belief in miracles and all the little children went to bed Waiting for that glorious morning to open all the presents that Santa left under the tree Asking questions about how he brought all the gifts down the smoke filled chimney Waiting day and night, trying to be good all for Christmas so we'd be granted the ultimate blessing Looking back and understanding that as a child I was tricked, Santa in a helicopter that's a new lesson Without the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day what else is there to really look forward too Without giving thanks for so many blessings and being thankful for Jesus’ birth just to name a few So for me Christmas has somehow lost the true spirit and has been misunderstood by all We must always remember God's blessings, don't forget to give thanks and bring back Rudolph the red nosed reindeer driving Santa Claus!!!! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 113 Across 1. Sort 5. Small snake 8. Brusque and surly 13. Vessel 14. Cylindrical tower 15. Relating to the moon 16. Curved masonary structure 17. Slow pace of running 18. Become one 19. Part of the eye 21. Trial 23. Golf accessory 24. Jargon 26. Mesh 27. Dwell 29. Ballroom dance 34. Container 35. Period of calm weather 37. Health professional 38. Adjoin 40. Chubby 43. Lowest part of the musical range 44. Pale purple color 46. Cogwheel 48. Feline 49. Contestant 52. Faithful 54. Neither one __ the other 55. Facilitate 56. Armed conflict 59. A duplicate copy 61. Signal fire 65. Dodge 67. Young horse 69. Wander 70. Strange and frightening 71. Solitary 72. Talon 73. Clean with a bill 74. Finish 75. Stop Down 1. Alpine lift 2. Yesteryear 3. Treaty 4. Principles of right and wrong 5. Atmosphere 6. Gambling machine 7. Having great influence 8. Person who eats and drinks to excess 9. Operate 10. A single undivided whole 11. Destiny 12. Liberate 14. Type of comedian 20. Metal fastener 22. Darn 25. Recount 27. Small bird 28. Express great joy 30. Long crusty sandwich roll 31. Extended area of land 32. Composition 33. Annoying person 34. Large bundle 36. Carry with difficulty 39. Mariner 41. Boundary line 42. A short moral story 45. Water flask 47. Artifice 50. Immediately 51. Sponge cake with jam, wine and custard 53. Explore 56. Sob 57. Allege 58. Uncommon 60. Midday 62. Carbonated drink 63. Ellipse 64. Small semiaquatic salamander 66. Device used for shaping metal 68. Conjunction D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 243 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 342 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 112 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 242- MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 344 | D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 Shelter: Women and Children Cincinnati Health Network OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road, Cinti, OH 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 131 E. 12th 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 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 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 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 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Housing: 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 241-2965 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 Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 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 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 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 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 Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 for 26 issues $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Advocacy Health $100 Other Resources Hamilton/Middletown 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 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 Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 2401-, 2411 Reading Rd, Cinti, Ohio 45202 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 762-5660 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 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 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 981-5800 961-0600 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Central Access Point 381-SAFE Bethany House 557-2873 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 15 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 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 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary 859-491-3335 859-572-6202 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 D e c 2 - D e c 15 , 2 0 16 | N o . 34 4 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 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 3/2005 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. 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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 December 2-December 15, 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director Pg 3: Remembering to Resist Pg 4: Grid Vulnerabilities Planting Seed of Fire Pg 5: Reflections on 2016 We should Engage in Conversations with People We Disagree with Pg 6: GCHC Pg 7: Old History is Going Out Pg 8: City of New York Sued by Philadelphia’s Homeless Advocacy Project Over Denial of Homeless Rights Pg 9: Still Giving Denver’s Homeless a Voice After 20 Years Pg 10: Darryl Owens Continues to Push Through with is Writing in Remembrance of His Girlfriend Pg 11: GCHC Pg 12: Meet Marvin 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 December 2-December 15, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Jim Luken Michael Earl Patton Steve Sunderland Dr. Mark Mussman Jason Haap Martha Stephens Malia Pitts Marvin Lowery Kim Green Jim Northrup Willa Denise Jones Malia Pitts Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF African Americans Bill Woods Darryl Owens Denver Dr. Mark Mussman education Jason Haap Jim Luken Jim Northrup Josh Spring Kim Green Malia Pitts Martha Stephens Marvin Lowery Michael Earl Patton Minorities New York Philadelphia Steve Sunderland Willa Denise Jones WVXU https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/3cb471119f729abdeb5fed2859a359eb.pdf effa0a6e442a33884020c330de99243d PDF Text Text January 13th - January 26th 2017 | Vol. 20 Issue 28 (No. 347) advocating justice | Building community Sharing free food with the homeless: what harm can it do? | 9 This issue sponsored by Rosie, Oscar, Phil and Jack INSIDE THIS ISSUE Community Issues Forum Kicks Off 2017 with Vice Mayor David Mann | 2 Education and Income | 3 Black Lives Matter Cincinnati: multiracial liberation movement | 7 Denver homeless protest against ‘clean up’ of downtown streets | 8 Find previous issues of Streetvibes online at: cincistreetvibes.org Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL From the Director: Wearying Winter JOSH SPRING Executive Director I am looking forward to the return of consistently warm weather. I know it may seem sort of uncreative to write about the current weather, but the winter really is the worst (I know this may not be a fact and that some of you disagree). The cold causes physical pain and leads to an increase in sickness; sniffles, flu, sinus infections, etc. The winter is especially hard on people without homes and especially on people without shelter. The winter also adds financial burden. It costs more and more to heat living and working spaces. Cold weather can wreak havoc on building structures, roads, sidewalks and automobiles. The winter also constricts a person. Wearing heavy coats means we move slower with less mobility - and those coats also cost money. I know stating these problems is not going to end winter (though we can end homelessness and therefore the effects of winter on people experiencing homelessness). And I know that truly ending winter (global warming) would be a terrible thing. But I am confident that you and nearly everyone you know agrees with at least significant portions of these feelings - even if you like the look of snow. Winter is also the enemy of community organizing. Winter adds difficulty to the prospect of people J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 7 getting out and acting together. I am sure you have noticed, but between the freezing temperatures and the holidays it seems that nearly everything happens slower in the winter. Timelines are extended, meetings are canceled or rescheduled, you have to set out earlier to get somewhere on time, so forth and so on. While I can recognize that fresh fallen snow looks pretty, I only enjoy it in pictures and snow-globes. All this personal dislike of cold weather aside, greater numbers of people with homes tend to be concerned about people without homes during this time of year because of the holidays and the cold. This concern is important. Homelessness, however, is a yearround systematic problem and we must respond to it year-round and work constantly to systematically end it, such that this systematic problem does not leave people prey to the harshness of winter or any other time. ------------------------ THE COMMUNITY ISSUES FORUM KICKS OFF 2017 WITH VICE MAYOR DAVID MANN REVIEWING CRITICAL ISSUES CITY AHEAD 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: BILL WOODS T he Community Issues Forum at Christ Church Cathedral kicks off 2017 with a presentation by Vice Mayor David Mann. At this Thursday lunch session on January 19th, the Vice Mayor will discuss critical issues that will confront City Government in the coming year. He will also comment about the current political climate in Washington and Columbus and how it might impact cities like Cincinnati. Mann, a former Congressman, Mayor, and multi term Council member, came out of political retirement to run for Council in 2013. Not only has he provided valuable experience to this body, but he has championed affordable housing and other grassroots projects that often were neglected in the City's fixation on upscale development. The Vice Mayor has decided to seek reelection in the fall. Forums at the Cathedral feature a wide range of community and public issues with an emphasis on social, economic, and political justice. In December, Two Forums focused on the tragedies of gun violence in Cincinnati, and the 2016 actions and goals of Black Lives Matter/ Cincinnati. Forums are free and open to the public, and they take place at the lunch hour every other Thursday Dr. Mark Mussman Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Key Beck Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Michael Earl Patton, Steve McClanahan, Dr. Mark Mussman, Mike Brown, Jason Haap, Steve Sunderland, Bobby Morris, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones Photography/Artwork: Michael Flood, Michael Earl Patton, Mike Brown, Google Images, Bill Woods Vice Mayor David Mann Photo: Michael Flood from January to June. Time is always set aside for questions and comments from attendees, and lunches can be purchased on a first come, first serve basis. For further information call 3814994. ------------------------ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 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 Education and Income No. 347 | J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 MICHAEL EARL PATTON O Contributing Writer ne of the things that continually annoyed me in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election was the characterization of Trump supporters as “uneducated.” Besides its being dismissive of millions of people, it is unclear what the charge actually means. And it is probably wrong, too. I want to explore this a without getting a 4-year degree if you are considered “educated” or “uneducated.” And then comes the matter of why one should be so dismissive of those without college degrees. College degrees are necessary for many jobs, true, but those jobs are not the only ones that should command respect. In fact, the hosts of the PBS program McMicken Hall at UC Credit: Michael Earl Patton little, using exit polling data and once again using data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls. gov). First, what do these critics mean by “uneducated”? From the context, and the sheer numbers of supposedly uneducated people involved, it clearly does not mean people with NO education – people who never attended school at all. In checking I found out that what is meant is people with no college education, though it is not clear if you attended college This Old House have been talking recently about the difficulty in finding good trades people such as finish carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and masons. Their experience aligns with mine, and I also would add that most of my “educated” friends – those with a college degree – wouldn’t recognize a good job from a bad one. Their educated opinion is almost worthless in this regard. I would also add such trades as mechanics and machinists, along with traditional occupations such as farmers, barbers, cooks, police, soldiers, and ranchers (the list is meant to be suggestive, not comprehensive) are occupations that require skill and training. Some of these workers may have a college degree, but even if they don’t I am not going to dismiss their opinions out of hand. I see no reason why someone with, say, a journalism, sociology, or even an engineering degree should automatically be credible while others, who may have been succeeding at their jobs or even running their own businesses for decades, should be dismissed. Full disclosure – I have an engineering Labor Statistics data for a relationship between income and education. Sure enough, there is a strong correlation. People with higher incomes tend to have more college education. Further, people in all income quintiles (groupings of 20% of income, such as those in the bottom 20% of income, the next 20%, and so on) are going to college more often. Alas, the data I examined did not state how many of these received a degree, but these probably also have increased. Here is a graph I made from the data for the years of the past 4 presidential elections. I had to use 2015 data degree. I always strive to put together a credible analysis which I hope is evaluated on its own merits. Exit polling conducted by the New York Times showed that those who never attended college were almost as likely to vote for Clinton as for Trump (45% versus 51%). Only those with post-graduate education were much more likely to vote for Clinton (58% versus 37%). Or maybe not. Exit polling in this past election was not a reliable guide to the actual results because Trump’s victory was a surprise to all those who relied on these data. In other words, significant numbers of those polled may not have been telling the truth about their choice. Who were they? Who held back from saying they actually voted for Trump? Were they Bernie Sanders supporters still upset at Clinton? Were they immigrants who came here legally and who don’t like border jumping? College-educated women? People who don’t like the New York Times? I don’t know if anyone has researched this question, but I would be most interested in knowing more. I also looked at the Bureau of instead of 2016 because 2016 data have not yet been released. There is one final point I want to make about the so-called “uneducated” Trump supporters. Yes, it is true that Hillary Clinton received over 2.8 million more popular votes than Donald Trump. But that was still only 48% of the votes cast. Trump received about 46% of the popular vote. The other 6% went to third party or independent candidates. If we group all the conservative-leaning candidates together – Trump, the Libertarian and Constitution candidates, and McMullin who ran as an independent – they received almost 51% of the vote. Since that is just over half, it may not seem especially noteworthy, but that is a higher percentage than conservatives have won in the past several elections. I am NOT saying that as more people go to college, voters are more likely to vote for conservative candidates. I don’t think there is enough of a correlation, at least so far. But I am saying that we should not be so quick to dismiss people with whom we may disagree as uneducated. evidence concerning global warming and the role of human activity; if you are not aware of the science, there are several credible sources you can read (for example, http://climate. nasa.gov/evidence/). Suffice it to say that it is widely agreed that a critical element of the solution to climate change is globally moving away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible, hence the Paris Climate Agreement. We Must Act Against Climate Change STEPHEN MCCLANAHAN Contributing Writer W ith Mr. Trump’s election, climate change denial and skepticism has again entered the mainstream. This is an astonishing position given the plethora and rigor of scientific investigations that have studied the influence of greenhouse gases in 3 driving abrupt climate change. It is also alarming since climate change will literally alter the world for the worse, most notably for our children and future generations. It is not my intention to delineate the scientific THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED (Continued on page 7) �4 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 7 �5 LOCAL Fact or Fiction: Tools for Active Reading No. 347 | J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 T DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer here seems to be a crisis in news reporting these days, both on the small screen and in social media. Socalled “fake news” has been on blast for about a year, but even more now, as revelations that people are manufacturing news to get clicks online are exposed. I was trying to figure out if there was a way to expose fake news without using Google, or Wikipedia, or Snopes, etc. to verify. I quickly realized that there have been plenty of fake news stories circulated on social media (one or two, I’m sure I’m guilty of sharing) – stories that I should have been able to spot as fake almost immediately. Examining the source for satire (The Onion or even the column in the New Yorker) or sensationalism (USuncut or WorldStarHipHop) is a good place to start. But beyond that, how do we know if a story is real? I heard recently that some people are having an issue identifying fake news because we are so dependent on googling things, or we don’t have the necessary depth to decipher fact from fiction. It may be due to our reliance on instantaneous gratification, and waiting around, or wading through multiple primary source documents, is time consuming and often daunting. Whatever the case, there is a real need to understand the connection between the ability to critically think with an expanded world view and the impact on advocacy work. I began to think through the steps I use when deciding if something is real that I read online. I tried to go beyond the typical questions, like “Is it too good to be true?” to something more concrete. The results fell into the basic categories of Fallacies – Psychological, Logical and Mechanical. When you write a sensationalist piece, appealing to people’s emotions and trying to sway them, you are essentially simultaneously using both a persuasive technique and falling into a psychological fallacy. While passion is an important part of communication, it is important to keep personal attacks and humor to a minimum. I was reading an article today that name-called someone and I immediately wanted to stop reading the article. I felt that by using an ad hominem attack, I was ready to quickly disregard everything else the writer had to say. What does that negativity do but disable you from seeing things objectively? I hope to not fall into that trap. An introductory speech class will teach you all about persuasive techniques to connect with your audience. These techniques come in extra handy during debates when you are trying to win over an audience for votes. But these same techniques, while fiery and passion-laden, fall flat in honest reporting. What works for a human-interest story does not work for reporting about current events, so if the story you are reading seems to hit too close to home, or if it seems that the writer wants you to think something specific, it’s poor reporting. The S.M.A.R.T. section is taken from SMART Goals, which I felt took a nuanced approach to those concepts. If the article you are reading writes about things that can’t be measured but argues them as fact, there is something fishy going on there. If the “Breakdown Stereotypes” author makes simple generalizations like “all liberals” or it just seems strange that this article is coming out now, then it is probably just there to get you to click on it. I included these because they can quickly rule out real news. Finally, if you’ve looked at the headline and you don’t see the persuasive techniques or the SMART violations, then you need to move to logical fallacies before you can say it is real news. Logical fallacies are probably the most widely used methods of persuasion that get left unchecked. If you don’t understand them, then you will have trouble rationalizing the issues with the statements that are being made. It is completely possible to convince people of things using logical fallacies. Being able to point them out, even by just reading the headline of an article, is a skill that takes time, but will eventually save you plenty of time and a headache. As corporate media becomes more and more conglomerated, it is more imperative than ever to develop these skills. It may not be enough to stop fake news operations, or even poor reporting in mainstream media, but it will empower you to take on falsehoods one fallacy at a time. Understanding fact from fiction strengthens your advocacy work and increases your ability to create change in our community. “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 Educational Programs Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau We will come to your organization, school, or business Alternative Breaks: Cincinnati Urban Experience College students stay with us and participate in service and learning in the community Social Justice Walking Tours Please sign up for an Educational Program on our website CinciHomeless.org Learn about the rich cultural history, struggles, and collaboration in our community Streetvibes Shadow Experience distributing Streetvibes newspapers and learn fron a seasoned professional THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �6 LOCAL J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 7 (Continued on page 12) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Black Lives Matter Cincinnati: A multiracial movement for liberation 7 No. 347 | J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 S ince it was founded in December 2014, Black Lives Matter Cincinnati has become the leading voice for black liberation in the city, working to mobilize people to demand an end to police brutality, institutional racism, and other injustices. “It’s a fight for black liberation, but it’s not a black fight,” said Brian Taylor, one of the original BLMC founders and a member of its steering committee. “Just like the fight for women’s liberation is not just a women’s fight.” BLMC is unapologetically multiracial, despite the frequent MIKE BROWN Contributing Writer are less sure are welcome to come and learn and find out.” BLMC looks to create change from the community level up. Leaders on the ground mobilize people in the streets, about 12,000 in 2016, according to Taylor. “Our real power is in numbers,” he said. “Racism is the original sin of U.S. culture,” said Meg Bruck, 67, a white resident of College Hill and the great granddaughter of a Civil War era abolitionist. “It deprives white people of our humanity, and it is our class congregation decided to become an “open and affirming” church to the LGBTQ community and, after the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson later in 2014, a faith ally of BLMC. “They’re doing some really important work in this city,” said Rev. Ian Strickland, the white pastor of Over-the-Rhine Community Church on Race Street, referring to BLMC. “They do a lot to name problems that people don’t want to talk about, but also offer solutions,” citing the idea of restorative justice in schools. In addition to actions in the street, they’re educational, said Strickland. For Sam Katz, 22, a student in the jazz studies department at the College Conservatory of Music, BLMC helps fill the void left by many student organizations, such as the Irate 8, whose visible activism on campus withered when its founders graduated from the University of Cincinnati. Katz, who is white, is a member of BLMC. BLMC stands not only for black liberation, but also human liberation. For Taylor, the two are related because the same system, rooted in free-market capitalism, oppresses most people. It pits people against (Continued on page 8) Black Lives Matter Cincinnati Rally in Washington Park Credit: Mike Brown Brian Taylor, Black Lives Matter Cincinnnati Credit: Mike Brown misconception that it is anti-white. It is also feminist, queer, nondenominational, pro-immigrant, pro-labor, and pro-union. “We mean it when we say anybody who agrees with our principles and is willing to organize their time and effort to fight to achieve them is welcome,” Taylor said. “Those who STEPHEN MCCLANAHAN (Continued from page 3) The United States has a major role to play since we are one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary greenhouse gas. We must recognize and account for the true environmental and health costs of carbon fuels which we currently do not pay for. The most effective first step towards a solution is to enact revenue-neutral carbon fee and dividend (CF&D) legislation. This policy places a steadily rising fee on fossil fuels based on the amount of CO2 produced. Fees are collected at responsibility to dismantle it.” Bruck takes that responsibility seriously as a member of Black Lives Matter Cincinnati. “We stand in solidarity alongside of the Black Lives Matter Cincinnati movement,” said Rev. Alan Dicken, the white pastor Carthage Christian Church. In 2014, the white, working the point at which carbon fuels enter the market and are placed in a trust fund. 100% of the fees collected, less administrative costs, are returned directly to households on an equal shares monthly basis (each adult receives one share, children receive ½ share with a limit of 2 children per family). Border adjustments discourage business relocation. Individuals and businesses are free to make independent choices about their energy usage. This policy will incentivize the free market, which will respond to provide alternative energy sources that avoid or minimize the use of carbon fuels. CF&D has been studied in detail. Black Lives Matter Cincinnati Rally near Cincinnati Police Department District 1 Station Credit: Mike Brown Most importantly, it is a real step towards substantially lowering CO2 emissions. Because it is revenue neutral and free market based, it does not grow the size of government or require additional regulations. Contrary to the existing mindset that protecting our environment can only come at the expense of our economy, CF&D provides a substantial economic stimulus, creating an estimated 2.8 million jobs in 20 years. Due to the dividend, just under twothirds of US households break even or receive more each month than they pay in higher prices; the other one-third pay more because of the amount of fossil fuels they consume. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED It is a progressive policy in that it protects lower income households since they tend to use less fossil fuel. Moving away from fossil fuels literally saves lives; an estimated 13,000 lives are saved annually after 10 years, with a cumulative 227,000 American lives saved over 20 years. And by addressing climate change, we are addressing one of the major national security threats identified by the Department of Defense. We have a very real problem in climate change and an innovative solution; we only lack the political will. Please call your member of Congress to demand action on climate. �e 8 NATIONAL Denver homeless protest against ‘clean up’ of downtown streets P olice and clean-up crews armed with brooms and trash bags were met by angry and frustrated homeless residents just north of downtown Denver in November. Uniformed officers were detailed to ‘clean’ the area’s sidewalks of bicycles, wheelchairs and shopping carts filled with personal items. A tense day with sporadic protests by the homeless and their supporters broke out with campers fearing they would lose their homes and property in the sweep. During the peaceful protests, GILES CLASEN Courtesy of Denver Voice / INSP.ngo the homeless co-operated with the police, loading their belongings into shopping carts which were temporarily moved into storage. Most of the people affected were expected to be able to return to the sidewalk camp after the area covering three streets had been completed. Officer David Hunter of the Denver Police Homeless Outreach Team, said, “Everyone wants a peaceful resolution. We want to clean up and be gone.” John Gerhard Jr says, "ìt isn't easy being homeless when youíre handicapped." Credit: Giles Clasen MIKE BROWN (Continued from page 7) one another, blinding them to the larger systems and institutions that push them down. This is why he refuses to accept the idea of some activists that all white people are the oppressors who should work separately to dismantle racism. “It’s easy to think that white people are evil, but it lets off the hook the system of greed behind the racism and oppression,” said Taylor. Yet, to people of color, he said, the hands of oppression are white and male, belonging to people who are vested in a system that gives them disproportionately more power and economic benefits. There is a core group of about J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 7 25 to 60 people depending on circumstances, said Taylor, who estimates that active members number several hundred. About half are white. The five-person steering team is comprised of four black people and one white person. BLMC is a volunteer organization. According to Taylor, no one is paid for the work they do, and often the leaders pay for organizational expenses with their own money. BLMC adopted the name, Black Lives Matter, Taylor said, because the name was inspiring. But he is quick to point out that BLMC is independent of the national movement, with no affiliation and no access to its funding. “The politics of the Black Lives Matter national organization is only a small slice of the black Black Lives Matter Cincinnati Rally for Sam Dubose Credit: Mike Brown Denver Voice spoke to four residents caught up in the sweep. They were among the residents who were vocal about exercising their right to protest and why the sweep highlights the wider issue of finding shelter and affordable housing in the area. John Gerhard Jr. “I’ve been here since August. I stayed in a shelter the first two weeks, but I was eaten up by bed bugs. It’s also difficult to get from downtown to some of the shelters. You can wait for an hour or longer for a bus to come by with an opening for a handicapped person. “Being in a chair makes it harder. It isn’t like I don’t try, but there is no place to go. I broke my back in a car accident. It isn’t easy being homeless when you’re handicapped. “I know it isn’t easy for the city; it isn’t easy for anyone. I think there are some better solutions. There are abandoned lots waiting to be purchased. No construction yet. We should utilize the lots. We should make temporary campgrounds until they start construction. “We work hard to make these sidewalks work. We wake up every morning and sweep the sidewalks (Continued on page 12) "I am a transsexual. I don't think that makes it harder out here for me. It's hard for everyone," explains Littiah Fabre. Credit: Giles Clasen liberation movement, even though the media projects it otherwise.” For Dicken, BLMC, is appropriately named. “God time and time again reinforces the idea that all lives matter. But we have not done that. We have not earned the right to say that yet. So, until we can say that black lives matter and until we live lives that show that, we cannot claim what our God claims.” “Many white people ignore or hide from racism, or they think it doesn’t exist,” said Troy Jackson, director of the Amos Project, a faithbased organization that regularly partners with about 40 of the city’s (Continued on page 11) Elizabeth Hopkins, Countdown to Conviction Coalition Credit: Mike Brown THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �NATIONAL Sharing free food with the homeless: what harm can it do? No. 347 | J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 O ver 70 cities in the United States have passed laws banning or restricting the sharing of free food with the poor outside. A new theory being used to justify limits to the sharing of meals outside is being adopted by city officials. The City of Phoenix, Arizona, is the latest municipal government to claim that outdoor food programs prevent homeless people from getting help they can otherwise only get by eating at indoor facilities. In September, National Public Radio reported, “‘Don’t feed people living on the streets.’ That’s the message the city of Phoenix is spreading. Staff said it’s necessary to protect vulnerable people, neighbourhoods and businesses.” Riann Balch, deputy director of Phoenix’s Human Services Department, replied to the message by saying, “It’s usually a hard conversation to have at first because feeding is really something that’s ingrained in communities as a good way to help.” When faith and communitybased groups deliver meals to homeless people or organise feeding times, they often hear words of gratitude, but Balch says they also need to hear another consideration. “They [the groups] are prolonging homelessness by giving the person what they need to stay out on the streets.” Ten days later, US Federal District Judge William Zloch ruled that Fort Lauderdale’s City Ordinance No. C-14-42 restricting the sharing of meals outside to the homeless was legal. City officials hired Marbut Consulting to help them provide a justification for its law against feeding the hungry outside. The ordinance effectively bans the sharing of meals anywhere outside since there is almost no place in the city that is not 500 feet from a residence or other prohibited location. Judge Zloch was born in Fort Lauderdale and lives in the area and must know that his ruling also makes it nearly impossible for anyone to “legally” feed the homeless. Back in November, 2014, Robert G. Marbut Jr., justified the city’s law to Rachel Martin on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition. He said: “If you give cash out on the street, generally about 93 percent of it goes to alcohol, drugs and prostitution. And if you give food on the street, you end up in a very convoluted way, but still an important way, preventing people from going into 24/7 programming. “We’ve done a lot of research. And just really getting to the big picture, there’s this move on the right to criminalise. And there’s a move on the left to do nothing—just feed people in parks. And you don’t get 9 homeless people in need of treatment are finding help at indoor meal Courtesy of Spare Change News / INSP.ngo programs. During my over-36 years of providing meals on the streets, I recovery from homelessness by being program, they would have access to a find most people that eat with Food on a jail cell floor. rehabilitation program. Not Bombs also obtain meals at “Equally you don’t get recovery Clearly not everyone that is indoor soup kitchens. from being on a park bench or out on homeless needs drug or alcohol If experts like Robert Marbut a beach or under a bridge. Where you treatment. For example, a National are correct, people who eat at these get recovery is when you go into 24/7 Center for Family Homelessness indoor programs should be receiving programs that holistically address the report found that an estimated drug or alcohol treatment, but this is not the case. It is also my experience that getting into a drug or alcohol treatment program is difficult if not impossible even for those living outside who are desperate to end their addiction. There are a few exceptions. I had one friend named “Little Bit” who was desperate to end her abuse of crack cocaine. She ate with us nearly every Monday at the entrance to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. I took her to a local rehab program. They agreed to take her for free. She had to arrive in the afternoon on a Monday six weeks from the day we booked her treatment. I encouraged Little Bit to eat at People eat a Thanksgiving meal outdoors served in the Skid Row district of Los Angeles. Food Not Bombs every week so I 70 cities across the USA have banned the sharing of free food with poor and homeless could make sure she remembered to people. Credit: REUTERS/David McNew go. I wrote down her appointment in my date book and reminded her condition of homelessness.” 2.5 million children experience of her appointment every time I saw Marbut’s research included homelessness annually, continuing a her. spending several days ‘pretending to steady rise between 2006-2010. Finally the day arrived and she be homeless.’ He told Rachel Martin: Studies show no evidence that came to eat with Food Not Bombs, “I’ve probably lived homeless maybe most of these children need drug or and I was able to take her to the 120 days when you add them all up.” alcohol treatment. Sure, some of their appointment. Little Bit returned to Food Not Bombs months after she entered the program dressed in a nice suit. She was thankful and gave me a hug of gratitude. She’d found her route to sobriety by having frequented a program that provided food outdoors. Little Bit’s success was 20 years ago, but conditions are not so different today. Last year my girlfriend Abbi Samuels and I tried to help a family protect their child from confiscation by Child Protective Services. They came to eat at Food Not Bombs and enjoyed their free meals outside on the steps of the Santa Cruz Post Office. We learned that the father used heroin and wanted to stop. The drug treatment centres charged thousands of dollars and had waiting lists. The only free centre required participation in their Christian Services. His child was taken to foster care before he found help. A Santa Cruz Sentinel Editorial from March 20, 2013 read: “No issue has so divided the greater Santa Cruz Keith McHenry picture as he was arrested for sharing free food in San Francisco in community as providing day-use 1988. The San Francisco Police made nearly 1,000 arrests of people volunteering to services at the Homeless Services share vegan meals with Food Not Bombs from 1988 to 1997. Center. The public’s perception that Credit: Courtesy of Food Not Bombs transients continue to be a visible— often unwanted —presence in the city, A main aspect of the theory of parents could benefit, but that is still county and downtown Santa Cruz “street feeding actually increases and not the principle solution to finding a in particular… And a longstanding, promotes homelessness” suggests safe home for most of these children. persistent outcry that Santa Cruz is people live outside because they And drug or alcohol addiction is not a magnet for transients from other are alcoholics or drug addicts and the only cause of homelessness. that if they ate at an indoor food There is also little evidence that (Continued on page 10) MALCOLM JACK THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �10 LOCAL The Lucky Cat Museum T J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 7 JASON HAAP Contributing Writer ucked away inside Essex Studios, the hypnotic sway of hundreds of cat paws beckon. This is home to The Lucky Cat Museum, one of only a couple worldwide dedicated to maneki-neko, those figurines that appear, to those of us in the West, as "waving cats." Perhaps you've seen these figurines next to cash registers at certain Japanese restaurants. They are not really waving, as the motion, MALCOLM JACK (Continued from page 3) places mainly because of the support and services available here. Critics say Santa Cruz cannot be expected to solve a national problem—and that day services contribute to an ongoing public safety problem.” Many of the city’s “transients” have lived in Santa Cruz for years with a large number having been born in the city. Most day-use services, including meals, ended in June 2015. I believe the real reason cities in Japanese culture, is instead beckoning - urging the viewer to come closer. And if you want a closer look, The Lucky Cat Museum is just what you need. Curated by Micha Robertson, collecting maneki-neko became a personal passion that ultimately started taking too much space in her home. "About four years ago, a friend of mine decided to get a studio here," explained Robertson. "We needed to want homeless services to move indoors is to hide the problem so they will face less pressure to fund solutions. National and state officials also support local efforts to drive the homeless crisis out of sight so they too will not be forced to divert tax dollars away from programs that please their campaign contributors. Food Not Bombs shares its meals outside so people who would otherwise ignore our social, economic and political ideas might happen upon our message. We want to encourage public support for a clear the collection out of the house for the room, and so I asked if I change in society where no one is forced to eat at a soup kitchen or live on the streets. We want the public to ask if we really should we be spending half our federal income tax dollars on the military while making cuts in education and social services? Encouraging a public discussion on these issues by sharing vegan meals on the streets and providing literature at visible locations does not mean Food Not Bombs can’t also help people get treatment for addictions or find employment. Since we encourage those who THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED (Continued on page 11) come for our food to participate as equals in the running of our local chapters, it is more likely those we eat with will gain a sense of self-esteem. This is the type of respect people need to change their lives. Banning “street feeding” is not going to help end homelessness. Changing society by providing education, housing and hope can. Keith McHenry is the co-founder Food Not Bombs. ------------------------ �LOCAL OVERCOMING THE THREAT TO HEALTH CARE No. 347 | J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 T he threat to Obamacare stands in front of us like a ticking bomb. Unprepared for medical and drug expenses, millions of people are shuddering at the thought of returning to a time when the lack of good insurance could tip a family into financial disaster and psychological catastrophe. Not having financial reserves necessary for short or long term hospital stays, critical drugs, or repeated doctor visits, the person without health insurance panics: not visiting the doctor when there are warning signs, not going to the hospital until the pain is too great, and choosing a life of fear as the major alternative. Sadly, this condition, which may affect 30 million people this year, is too often the current conditions facing poor people in our community and country. Health care for the poor has been too little, too late, and too insulting. The poor are blamed for their illnesses, rebuked for costing the tax payer money when MIKE BROWN (Continued from page 8 congregations around issues of race and economic justice. “Other white people, who acknowledge racism, become paralyzed by the issue, too fearful to talk because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing,” said Jackson. “And then there are the white people, the ‘saviors,’ who think they have all the answers, but really need to listen instead.” “This is not the time for faith communities to be silent,” said Dicken. “Especially in white communities, many people feel this isn’t our struggle, this isn’t our issue. But when we choose to stay quiet, then we’ve made a choice. Our silence speaks volumes.” Luke Smith, 19, joined BLMC in November. Smith, who identifies as a straight white male, said, “It is JASON HAAP (Continued from page 10) could set up a museum in the studio. The first space was about a third of the size of this one. The collection just keeps getting bigger, and we just decided it should be a proper museum." "I just want to share it with everybody," Robertson continued. "It's no good if it's all at my house where nobody can see it." There is definitely a lot to see. While, at first glance, the space can come across as repetitive (after all, how many ways are there to make a waving cat?), upon closer inspection one really starts to appreciate the craftsmanship and the individual artistic expression of each piece. Robertson gets most of her lucky cats from online purchases and auctions in Japan. She has a lucky cat slot machine. She has animatronic lucky cats. She has inflatable lucky cats. She has original lucky cat artwork - STEVE SUNDERLAND Contributing Writer 11 in Washington or Columbus. Your health is our priority." We are building support for our program of education and action. It shows us that, given a real chance, people can actively and responsibly join in better health care for all. Our volunteers have heard stories from people who are homeless, impoverished, and sick and also heard stories of people caring about their families, overcoming bad treatment from doctors and hospitals, to make a better life for their families. Learning about the resilience of people, seeing education lead to health-based action, and knowing that lives are being held in a compassionate embrace, has made us redouble our efforts. We know that the road to cancer care for the poor and minorities, in particular, is long. But we intend to navigate the surest and most caring way. For more information, please go to our website:cancerjustice.com. they attend the emergency room, and implicitly told that health care on any regular basis is not for them. The poor do not really know that the US is the only major industrial power in the world that treats its people so shabbily. The middle class is waking up to the fact that the loss of their health insurance may plunge them into poverty and risky behavior. There are forces in our society, our community, and our nation that are working for health care of high quality for all, including the keeping of reasonably priced doctor, hospital, and drug insurance. My organization, the Cancer Justice Network is one of them. We have teamed up with over 20 social service agencies, two universities, medical students, nursing and social work students, and community organizers to offer free and high quality education about the steps to stop cancer in the lives of the poor. Over the past 3 months we have presented to over 500 people at dinners for the poor at Christ Church Cathedral, Madisonville Education and Assistance Center, and Churches Active in Northside. We have brought Navigators, trained volunteers, ready to take people to screenings at Crossroad Health Centers or the Cincinnati Health Departments clinics. Poor people have found their voice in terms of wanting to talk about their health concerns, rising questions and concerns to our Navigators about the steps to following through on exams, treatments, and surviving cancer. Thanks to many supporters, we will be expanding our efforts in the new year by visiting churches, schools, community centers, and agencies like the FreeStore Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul. We are sending a clear message: "We are continuing to offer our services for high quality cancer care no matter what happens important that I use my privilege, because I do have privilege whether I like it or not, for good, instead of just using it for myself.” BLMC formed a city-wide coalition, Countdown to Conviction, in October before the trial of University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing, accused of murder in the fatal shooting of Sam Dubose, a black motorist. “I just can’t think of a more raw expression of the demeaning of black lives, the demeaning of human life, than one person executing another person in the course of stopping them for not having a license plate,” said Bruck. “To me, this is a pretty clearcut case of police overstepping their bounds, police brutality, and systemic racism in this country,” said Katz. The inability to convict Tensing represents a fundamental flaw in the system, he said. “For 400 years, the judicial system has repeatedly failed to hear the cries of African Americans,” said the 12-member board of the AMOS Project in the statement declaring its membership in the Countdown to Conviction coalition. “Rather than saying we should put our faith in a system that has time and time again shown its bias, we’re going to call for what we believe justice to be [that is, a conviction], and ask the courts to align with that, rather than for us to align with the courts,” said Dicken, whose church has joined the coalition. Strickland’s church has also joined the coalition. “Being part of the coalition is us saying, there is a problem in our country where unarmed black men are getting shot and killed by the institution that is meant to protect and serve them. And there needs to be some form of accountability, consequence, and ultimately a formal declaration saying this is wrong.” “Marches, actions, and rallies make a difference,” said Taylor. “People change when they are on the streets with other people in unison demanding something.” Bureaucracies, in Taylor’s view, also respond when masses of people demand change in institutions like the criminal justice system, and refuse to accept anything less than justice and equality. [This article originally appeared on the Cincinnatians For The American dream blog at: https:// c4ad.wordpress.com/ You can email Mike Brown at mbrown.c4ad@ gmail.com some from local artists, and some from overseas. She has big ones and tiny ones, traditional ones and modernized ones. She even has a tiny figure of a traditional market stand, on the shelves of which is a lucky cat among other wares, including a tiny bobble-head figure where the head actually bobbles. She has a gift shop, where you can get things for just a couple bucks, all the way up to $30 and more. She has a vending machine where, for only 50 cents, you can turn the crank and get a golden egg, filled with small lucky cat swag. If you can think of something involving lucky cats, she has it on display. And if it's not on display, it's surely featured in one of the many books she has collected featuring pictures of even more lucky cats! The Lucky Cat Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 3-6pm. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Find it at 2511 Essex Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45206. You might need to ring the bell to get inside, but it's totally worth the trip to experience this one-of-a-kind collection. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ �12 L STREET VOICE NEW YEARS EVE AT Joseph House ooking for something to write about. I searched the Internet for ideas and ran across Writing about Nothing. Sounds oxymoronic, when you write something it has meaning to someone so how can it be about nothing? Nothing to me may mean the world to someone else. Oh well, that’s a debate for scholars not a recovering Alcoholic like myself. This is about New Year’s Eve at Joseph House. I am going to start with how my morning began and how it has gone since then. I awoke at 5am to do laundry, you see around here doing laundry can be a race between who gets up the earliest. I chose to arise early and get it over and done with. After about 2 hours of washing and drying my clothes it was time for breakfast. For me eating 3 meals a day is key in my recovery. Not eating can tend to lead me to self-destructive behaviors and into a relapse. So, I ate some ham and eggs (cooked it myself mind you), and it was good, at least it was edible. Shaving and showering came next, that became the first disaster of my day. I cut myself 3 times, twice on my face and once on my bald head. I wanted to blame the razor but it was GILES CLASEN (Continued from page 8) clean. Not everyone does that, but enough of us do it to make it work. We care about it being clean. We care about Mother Earth.” Joshua Griffin “I yell at the cops. I scream at them because I am passionate. I am fighting. There is no one out there fighting for us. You see a crane over there building a building. You see new businesses opening. You see the city growing. The mayor, he is trying to build something to bring up more businesses. But they’re not building affordable housing for people like us. We aren’t part of the city’s plan. “We try to work. We go to work for Ready Man or for a tip agency or day labor and we make nickels and dimes, pieces of crumbs. We can’t get out of here. We can’t get our own BOBBY MORRIS Contributing Writer me rushing to get finished and move on to the next task of my morning. The phrase “Mindfulness” popped into my head during this fiasco but I disregarded it and put some spit and Vaseline on it and called it a job done. Moving on, next was getting to my Saturday morning meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. I called my sponsor he agreed to come pick me up along with another recovering Alcoholic and we were off. The meeting brought on challenges I was not ready for. I was seated next to a newcomer. I must say it was a female newcomer and being the good AA person I am I introduced myself and welcomed her to the meeting. Did I mention that she was cute? Besides that, she smelled amazing! I was lost in my imagination most of the meeting due to the aroma of perfume, but could hear two key events in the man’s story that I could relate to on a personal basis. His wanting to “kill” his father for the abuse he had been doing to his mother and the rest of his siblings. I too had that exact same feeling and thoughts and that day in my past came rushing back into J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 7 my mind and I began to become a little emotional. Shaking that off, the second event was his time he spent at Prospect House another treatment facility that I too have spent time at and his difficulty in seeing where he was at fault in some instances were again like mine. I asked myself, “did God bring me here this morning to hear my story and give me a look at how I too can overcome my past? This question I will save for my journal entry tonight. Oh, it’s only 7:35 in the evening that I am writing this so bedtime isn’t until another 2 ½ hours from now. Nothing happened between me and the cute newcomer so let’s get on with my afternoon. I came back to Joseph House, ate my lunch of potato wedges and juice and tried to take a nap. I did succeed in getting maybe a solid hour of rest during my nap but nothing like I was expecting. Upon waking I read my Horoscope (Aries) and it said “Wanting is an Affirmation that you lack something”. Cryptic as it sounds, I used up about 1 hour of my day doing what was suggested to me by my counselor. To stop and think about how I am feeling and try to see if there is something that I am ignoring and I should address it. I did this and what came to me was that 1. I am hungry 2. I am tired 3. I need to get out of this room. So, I did number 3, I left the room and went to watch some football. Everything is well with me now, life is good, so I thought. I forgot I am hungry. It’s about dinner time now 4:15pm (we old veterans eat early around here) so I went to Alabama’s fish restaurant and got me a Cod dinner. Excellent meal. Then the tiredness creeps up on me and another nap I take. This one was for only about 20 minutes due to a recent surgery I had and sometimes it’s a pain in the ass (pun intended) so I took care of that and went back to the football game. Not a big TV guy so I left that and started wondering what I should write about. That brings us to about 1 hour ago, when I ran across the “Writing about Nothing” article online. It was the catalyst for this short history of my New Year’s Eve at Joseph House. No lowering of the ball at Times Square for me, No Rockin’ Eve, no champagne toast at midnight (I am an Alcoholic) just journaling, prayers, and in my bed by 10pm. So, that is how I spent New Year’s Eve at Joseph House. The End. ------------------------ place. “It feels like we are losing our home today. “We have been out here and we will be out here. We feel like they are taking our space, our home and not treating us like human beings.” Shannon Wolf “I’ve been living here since February. I went through the sweeps in the spring. My wife and I stayed away for three weeks before we moved back to these sidewalks. “I stay safe by living out here with my street family. Our street family means safety, protection, and support. When they make us move we lose our family a bit and it is harder out here.” Littiah Fabre “We sleep out here and live out here. This is the end of the road. We aren’t here because we want to be, John Gerhard Jr pictured with his protest placard during the day of the sweep. Credit: Giles Clasen "When they make us move we lose our family a bit and it is harder out here," Shannon Wolf says about the protection he feels around his ìstreet family. Credit: Giles Clasen we are here because we have to be. It feels like (the police) come here to make war. Not me. I’m a person of peace. “I am a transsexual. I don’t think that makes it harder out here for me. It’s hard for everyone. I stay in the women’s facilities; I’m a woman. I’m sorry I don’t look good. You can’t look good homeless. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED All you’re doing when you move us from downtown is we move to the suburbs. We move to the parks. We move to the alleys. Then when it’s all clear we move back. If you can get four or five, or ten of us off the street, that’s a start. We can change this!” ------------------------ �13 STREET VOICE No. 347 | J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 Living By Goodness A BAD MOMENT IN MANHATTAN Each day God gives us life I saw up ahead was the Trump Tower. How merciful our creator My face gave forth an automatic glower He gives us a wonderful start I'm on vacation and I shook my fist. To live life with breath I won't have it spoiled by a narcissist. In our lungs and a beating heart I want to enjoy the last days of Barack, Living by goodness and by grace Before facing that inaugural shock, Thank you God for another day BILL WOODS Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer Living by goodness makes one feel good And thankful for Gods good grace A NEW BEGINING GOD IS GOOD, NOT SOME OF THE TIME BUT ALL THE TIME 24/7 I BELIEVE THAT BE THE REASON WE LIVE ON EARTH AND GOD LIVES IN HEAVEN KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer LOOKING BACK ON MY LIFE AND THE SO MANY CHANGES THAT I WENT THROUGH LEARNING FROM REPEATED MISTAKES GOOD AND BAD UNTIL I LEARNED WHAT TO DO WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer REALIZING TODAY KNOWING WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT PLUS THE METHOD TO USE I SEE NOW THAT HAVING KNOWLEDGE DOESN'T DETERMINE THE ROUTE WE CHOOSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVERYDAY ABOVE GROUND IS A DAY TO TAKE HEED AND LEARN I KNOW NOW THAT MY CHOICES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER I LIVE WITH GOD OR I BURN TODAY, KNOWING, UNDERSTANDING WITH THE REALIZATION THAT YESTERDAY IS PASSED PRAYING AND HOPING MY WORDS WILL LINGER IN YOUR MEMORY MAKING A CHANGE TO LAST IF YOU HAVEN'T PAID ATTENTION TO YOUR LIFE MAY YOU LOOK BACK AND SEE THAT A NEW BEGINNING IS WHAT'S UP FOR THE POLITICIANS AND THAT INCLUDES YOU AND ME WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 116 Across 1. Regular hexahedron 5. Part of the Roman calendar 9. Globe 12. Inclined to anger or bad feelings 13. Part of a church 14. Kind of tide 16. Debate 17. Ship's company 18. Instance 19. Musical notation 20. Female deer 21. Right-hand page 22. Strong and sure 24. Health resort 26. Party for women only 27. Any high mountain 30. Fish eggs 31. Long plaintive cry 33. Gait of a horse 35. Partially opened flower 36. At the peak 40. Vast body of water 41. Point 42. Legendary creature 43. Cogwheel 44. Discharge a debt 45. Boarder 46. Traditional Highland dress in Scotland 48. Small vegetable 49. Colony insect 50. Historic period 53. Cereal grass seed 54. Aura 56. Untrue 58. Insane 59. Any of the main branches of a tree 63. Berserk 64. Mane 66. Shinbone 67. Mature 68. In addition 69. Occurrence 70. Novel 71. Military dining room 72. Following J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 7 Down 1. Ringlet 2. Exhort 3. Deception used in poker 4. Oculus 5. Revenue 6. Challenge 7. The night before 8. Darn 9. One time only 10. Range 11. Cover with liquid before cooking 12. Pouch 15. Drudge 20. Vertical fall 21. Uncooked 23. Metallic element 24. Close 25. Seed case 27. Highly excited 28. Decorative woven fabric 29. Supplication 32. Bring ashore SODOKU PUZZLE NO 246 - MEDIUM 34. Songbird 35. Young male person 37. Worn in ancient Rome 38. Portent 39. Saucy 41. Meeting arranged in advance 42. Target 44. One of the strands twisted together to make rope 45. Travel in front of 47. Anger 48. Lighthouse 50. A great distance 51. Street urchin 52. Run away to marry 55. Mediterranean fruit 57. Skid 58. A failure to hit 60. Wild goat 61. As if new 62. Nocturnal mammal 64. Amateur radio operator 65. Beer 66. Decimal base PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 343 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 115 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 245- MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 347 | J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 381-SAFE 557-2873 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 981-5800 Salvation Army 762-5660 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Shelterhouse 721-0643 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 Parkway Center 784-1853 961-2256 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline CCAT 351-0422 381-6672 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 First Lutheran Church 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry Mercy Franciscan at St. John 562-8841 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 961-4555 381-1954 421-5211 Food/Clothing 271-5501 Starting Over Tom Geiger House Volunteers of America Anna Louise Inn VA VA Homeless Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 221-HELP 721-8666 2401 Reading Road, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-1064 Prospect House 921-1613 Talbert House Tender Mercies 2401-, 2411 Reading Rd, Cinti, Ohio 45202 FreeStore/FoodBank Charlie’s 3/4 House 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 421-0065 241-2600 241-2563 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Mary Magdalen House 771-4800 751-0600 579-8547 721-4811 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 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 Northern Kentucky 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Center for Respite Care 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 $100 Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center for 26 issues 351-3500 977-4489 Other Resources Hamilton/Middletown Health 621-5300 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 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 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 977-6800 859-572-6226 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 535-2719 591-2246 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing Crossroad Health Center St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 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 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 St. Vincent de Paul 661-4620 Cincinnati Health Network 621-6364 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-1983 Our Daily Bread 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 Shelter: Both Housing: 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 15 St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 981-4200 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 621-1868 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary 859-491-3335 859-572-6202 $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 J a n 13 - J a n 2 6, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 7 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 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 3/2000 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 RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 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 MIKE CARANO SINCE 4/2016 MYRA WILSON NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 1999 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY LOTTIE MANNER WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 cincistreetvibes.org THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 � 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 January 13-January 26, 2017 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director The Community Issues Forum Kicks Off 2017 with Vice Mayor David Mann Reviewing Critical Issues City Ahead Pg 3: Education and Income Pg 4: Fake News? Pg 5: Fact or Fiction? Pg 6: How to Respond to Panhandling Pg 7: Black Lives Matter Cincinnati Pg 8: Denver Homeless Protest Against ‘Clean Up’ of Downtown Streets Pg 9: Sharing Free Food with the Homeless Pg 10: The Lucky Cat Museum Pg 11: Overcoming the Threat to Health Care Pg 12: New Year’s Eve at Joseph House 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 January 13-January 26, 2017 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Michael Earl Patton Steve McClanahan Dr. Mark Mussman Mike Brown Jason Haap Steve Sunderland Bobby Morris Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Michael Flood Mike Brown Google Images Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Bill Woods Black Lives Matter Bobby Morris Cat Museum Denver Dr. Mark Mussman Google Images health care Jason Haap Joseph House Josh Spring Kim Green Michael Earl Patton Michael Flood Mike Brown police brutality Steve McClanahan Steve Sunderland University of Cincinnati Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/f39678658de09379acd42b026ffcf063.pdf 64789980ac3c3577408439a7a01ccf67 PDF Text Text January 27th - February 9th 2017 | Vol. 20 Issue 29 (No. 348) advocating justice | Building community Civil Disobedience | 9 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Our Daily Bread Reopens | 2 A Tale of Two Protests | 3 Community Leaders call to protect the Affordable Care Act | 4 Why we should support public education | 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 From the Director: Council Candidates and Homelessness JOSH SPRING Executive Director T his year in Cincinnati we will elect a mayor and all nine members of city council. People have started announcing their candidacies. Those elected will be elected to a four-year term. Candidates will start attending community council meetings, holding press conferences, and attending social functions. There will be forums and editorial write-ins to the Enquirer. The folks who will be elected will make important decisions that will affect people. Past councils have also actively decided to not make decisions and not take action that would bring positive systematic change. O This election year, let’s make homelessness and the need for affordable housing a paramount election issue. Ask what they will do to get the city to invest in affordable housing. Ask how they will hold market-rate developers accountable. Ask how they will leverage untouched revenue sources to invest in affordable housing. Ask how will they shift city priorities to significantly increase affordable housing. Explain that our shelters are all over-capacity- families with children, young adults, single women, single men. Explain that daily single women and families with children are turned away from shelter because J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 8 there simply is no more room because there is so little affordable housing to prevent homelessness. Explain that the answer to homelessness is to have affordable housing available for those who are without a home and making affordable housing available to people who are currently paying rents and mortgages they cannot afford. For many, many people in our city separate periods of homelessness have become what probably feels like a fact of life. So many parents spend their hours trying to figure out how to keep their children from needing shelter. Folks are sleeping outside, in abandoned buildings, in cars, parks and under bridges. More people than we know are bouncing from couch to couch, to car, to park, to couch, often in unsafe situations. Last year at least 72 people in our area died because of homelessness. Any candidate worth your vote will be able to tell you with passion how they plan to attack this issue head on. ------------------------ Our Daily Bread Reopens n Monday morning January 9, there was a deadly shooting at Our Daily Bread in Over-theRhine. According to authorities it was a domestic dispute. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. According to police, Robert Jacobs entered the building and shot two people. Deante Mattocks was pronounced dead at the scene. Jacobs had been in a relationship with his female victim that was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Dion Peoples was arrested the following day for providing the weapon. Our Daily Bread reopened Monday morning January 16, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr day. At 11:00 a.m. they held a press conference where Georgine Getty, their Executive Director spoke. “The Our Daily Bread family is proud to reopen our services today and welcome back our guests,” said Getty. “Words cannot express how difficult this past week has been and how much we have missed doing what we do: providing food and safety for everyone who needs us. We look forward to resuming our mission of serving up stability and hope and continuing to follow the vision and spirit of our founder, Cookie,” she said. Ruth “Cookie” Vogelpohl was the founder of the organization in JUSTIN JEFFRE Staff Writer 1985. Cookie, who was known to so many who have experienced homelessness and/or work in this field, passed away on December 17, 2016. “While the act of violence that took place in our agency one week ago was shocking, it was also isolated. For 32 years, we have been a gathering place for many types of people from many (Continued on page 11) 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: Dr. Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Key Beck Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Justin Jeffre, Key Beck, Bill Woods, Michael Earl Patton, C.J. Peirce, Kate Gallion, Dr. Mark Mussman, Jorge Garay, Jason Haap, Bobby Morris, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones Photography/Artwork: Our Daily Bread, David Little, Key Beck, Dr. Mark Mussman, Chas Wiederhold, Michelle Dillingham, Bill Woods Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Cookie Cooking Credit: Our Daily Bread THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �3 NATIONAL A Tale of Two Protests No. 348 | J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 KEY BECK T Contributing Writer he weekend of January 21 and 22 will go down in history. It will go down in history as a day that democracy was in action. A day where citizens came together in a rally cry for justice, equity, and basic human rights. This past weekend was a monumental grassroots effort in solidarity, democracy and civic justice. On January 21 during the 2017 Inauguration, protesters raised their voices of concern, fear, and disillusionment. They held signs, marched in the streets and battled -both figuratively and literally -- police officers. The Women’s March on Washington, held on January 22, has been deemed the biggest single day protest in US history, boasting over 1.6 million participants nationwide. The energy was high, the demands were simple, and the impact was felt. As I entered the National Mall on both days, you could hear chants of solidarity, “Whose Streets, Our Streets”, yearnings for equity, “My Rights, My Body” and words of condemnation “We Need a Leader, Not a Mean Tweeter.” It was very clear by the sheer number of people holding anti-Trump signs that we weren’t here to celebrate, but to protest. People from across the nation came together for a two-fold purpose: (1) protest the election of Donald Trump (in essence protesting the oppressive laws and systematic -and legalized -- injustices happening in our current political system and (2) support the basic rights of women/womyn’s and demand for inclusive support from our current administration by marching through the streets of Washington D.C. While the Women’s March on Washington was an officially sanctioned event, the protest happening during the inauguration was not supported by any law, political or city officials. And there were vast differences in the impact and reception of the two protests. The barrage of white feminism was coddled and condoned, as evidenced by the officer's attention and care to hurt women and their requests. A vivid juxtaposition to officers shooting tear gas, sound grenades and hard pellets at peaceful protesters over lines of riot police locked shield to shield. In one situation we were treated like the privileged, while the other was treated like the untouchables. It wouldn’t be fair to make such a comparison without more detail to set the stage. The Inauguration Protest took place between the streets H, K, 12, and 13. The number of protesters, numbering somewhere in the thousands, were dwarfed by the enormous police presence and the massive amount of press groups. The main force behind these protest were young people of color but there were other groups, the anarchist groups not with protesters who were seen destroying bank windows, limos and circular boxes. People were angry. People were hurting. People were peaceful. But, the police didn’t care. On multiple occasions, police fired tear gas and sound grenades at peaceful protesters with hands raised in the air. A young, white women confronted the line of officers imploring that, “this is how you treat non-violent protesters. Where is the justice? Where is the humanity?” as they continually pushed her and other folx back while yelling for us to move. At one point, police officers blocked the sidewalks and curbs, encircling us in the street while simultaneously telling us to get on the sidewalk. They didn’t respect our wishes not to be touched or pushed. They didn’t hesitate to roll motorcycles within an inch of our bodies, at times almost crushing our toes with tires. The Women’s March on Washington was a lot bigger and a lot more hands off. With over 600,000 people in D.C. we filled the National Mall and spilt into the streets covering Police Disrupt Peaceful Protests with Riot Formation. Photo: Key Beck Women's March on Washington Photo: Key Beck blocks and blocks. The participants looked dramatically different being majority white women. Many were young, but it was obvious this was a movement of Generation Y and X. Police could be seen waving at protesters, cordially responding to requests and helping people who fell or had injury. (I should say that police actually were pushing people down and hurting them, without giving medical attention the previous day). While this march focused on mostly on women’s rights, the intersectionality could be felt. There (Continued on page 7) Police in Riot Gear Separating Crowd Women's March on Washington Photo: Key Beck Photo: Key Beck THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 LOCAL Community Leaders call on Sen. Portman to protect the Affordable Care Act O n Thursday morning January 12, community members gathered at the Interact for Health Conference Facility in Oakley to address the positives of the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare, which is currently under attack by the new administration and members of the new Congress. Religious leadership outlined what they say is the moral component of denying care, and medical experts addressed the impact of the ACA on the heroin epidemic. They summarized why they believe Senator Rob Portman should stand up for Ohio residents who would be dramatically impacted unless the ACA is preserved. “My tradition teaches, and I'm sure others do too, that healthcare is one of the most important services a community must provide,” said Rabbi Margaret Meyer. Meyer is the President of the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati and a member of the Jewish Community Relations Committee and the Jewish Federation. She continued, “it would be irresponsible, and I believe immoral, for our elected representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act and deprive fellow Americans of the affordable and accountable healthcare they deserve." Then she quoted Governor Kasich who said, "What happens to those 700,000 people. What happens to drug treatment? What happens to mental health counseling? What happens to those people with high cholesterol and heart disease? What JUSTIN JEFFRE Staff Writer Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr. Photo: David Little happens to them?" Meyer’s response, "Well, Governor we know the answers. And they're not good." "Coming from the perspective of what God would like, he likens our bodies to his temple. We are his temple and our bodies are important to him. The welfare, the well-being of our bodies is important to him. So this for me, and my constituents, it’s a God thing. This was against his will,” said Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr. Senior Pastor, New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Lynch serves as a Director of UC Health and a Board Member of University Hospital. Rev. Lynch REFLECTIONS ON THE INAUGURATION BILL WOODS T he event many of us were dreading took place on Friday January 20th. Donald Trump was sworn in as the forty-fifth President of the United States. Critical issues such as health care, climate change, immigration, and Civil Rights now hang in the balance, and a large percentage of Americans fear the worst. In reading Trump's inaugural address, however, one paragraph rings true to me. He declared: "The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs, and while they celebrated in the nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families across our land." This economic inequity Contributing Writer and the corporate and political establishment's failure to address it caused a large number of Democrats to vote for Bernie Sanders, and it garnered Trump enough white working class votes to win the GOP nomination and the November election. In a June Streetvibes article, I pointed out the antiestablishment mood that seemed to be behind the results of both parties' primaries. Only Sanders and Trump as candidates were framing their messages to connect to this growing public attitude. The factors behind the 2016 election results have been developing over time. Recent studies provide evidence of both a growing lack of confidence in our political and governmental systems, and the actual dysfunction of our public systems. Reviewing the governments of 153 countries with representative democracies, the Electoral Integrity Project, conducted by Harvard University and the University of Sydney, ranked the U.S. as 52nd in terms of electoral integrity. Part of the research team for this project, Pippa Norris, a professor at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, noted: "There is a persistent lack of confidence in U. S. political institutions which allows populists to make hay, and the institutions need an overhaul, because some, like elections, are badly broken." Meanwhile, a Gallup Poll conducted early in 2016 revealed that only 30-percent of those polled expressed confidence in the honesty of our elections. As the perceived outsider who promised to shake up the system, Trump was the beneficiary of this THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 8 was a public supporter of Senator Portman in 2016. On a call with Portman’s office he said, "We've been buddies across the years. We've helped him do a lot of stuff. So we've done a lot." Are you disappointed in Sen Portman? "I am." "If they had good intentions to modify or to tweak it, they wouldn't be moving to repeal with no replacement in sight." said Lynch. Adding, "If it is repealed, something has to be done the very next day to make sure there is no cut in terms of what communities need. So I think we need to push in that regard." According to Dr. Nancy Elder, "Drug abuse is a chronic relapsing health problem, and it often leads to other health programs. But treatment is effective." Elder is a Professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati. "There are currently no options in Ohio for medication-assisted treatment unless you have cash or insurance, and I include Medicaid as insurance. Now what kind of cash? The medications alone cost over $500 a month. And you start throwing in the other treatment costs, and Hamilton County Mental Health Board estimates that it could cost as much as $22,000 the first year to treat opioid addiction. On average maybe three to five thousand dollars. Nobody can pay that. Certainly my patients, those who have already entered unemployment and poverty do not. We need to have Medicaid for our most vulnerable people in our society," she said. When asked what people can do to save the ACA Rabbi Meyer said, "We have a lot of gatherings coming up this weekend. We need to get the word out. And contact Portman. I don't know if it'll do any good, but he's got to hear from us." disenchantment with representative democracy. However, there is little that the new President has proposed that would make life better for economically squeezed Americans, and his selection of billionaires and Wall Street financiers for high positions doesn't look like a foundation for taking on the corporate and financial elite. In fact, the tax reform plan that he proposed during the campaign would once again cut taxes for the wealthy. Many labor leaders do support his promise to renegotiate trade deals, and his infrastructure renewal proposal would create new jobs. As a critic of current politics, Trump lacks any proposals to actually reform the system. Although he initially attacked his GOP opponents who were receiving huge Super PAC contributions, his list of potential nominees for the Supreme Court vacancy do not appear to be jurists who would wish to repeal The Citizens United ruling. Since he built a false premise about rigged (Continued on page 11) �LOCAL Residents Continue to Oppose Pipeline No. 348 | J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 MICHAEL EARL PATTON Contributing Writer T he route map for Duke Energy’s proposed pipeline extension has now been revised twice. The first proposal showed three possible routes. The second proposal, contained in the first of the formal application to the Ohio Power Siting Board, reduced this to just two possible routes and had adjusted these routes. The pipeline diameter was reduced to 20 inches and the pressure to a still high 400 psi. For comparison, the current pipeline supplying natural gas to the area, “Line A,” is a similar residential and others commercial or industrial. The opposition remains strong. A public meeting called by opponents at the Evendale Recreation Center on January 12 was full with about 200 people in the room. The parking lot was FULL and I only found a space after circling when someone else pulled out. The opposition seems to be based on several concerns, two of which are safety and the diminished use of the properties which the pipeline crosses. It is not supposed to happen, but there have been accidental Duke Energy Route Map Revision 1 Credit: Duke Energy diameter and operates at just 150 psi. Duke just revised the application on January 20, again making several adjustments to the possible routes. This is the route map that is shown below. The adjustments were made because of community opposition to the pipeline, which would cut across hundreds of properties, some explosions of natural gas pipelines. The best known is probably the San Bruno pipeline explosion in 2010 which killed 8 people and destroyed 38 homes in the San Francisco Bay area. Eyewitnesses reported that the flames reached 1,000 feet high. There have been several gas pipeline explosions since then, but none in areas that were as densely populated. A representative from Duke Energy was not at this meeting (at least not openly) but has said in the past that the line will be built to a high standard and that there will be regular safety checks. Others have still expressed concern that the required diligence may slacken off over the years. Duke Energy’s application for the pipeline gives the number of residences within 100 feet of the pipeline and the number within 1,000 feet. Whichever route is chosen, there will be over 100 residences within 100 feet of the pipeline and over 2,000 within 1,000 feet. Another major concern was that of easements. N.O.P.E., Neighbors Opposing Pipeline Extension, expects that the typical easement for the pipeline will be 40 feet wide – 20 feet on each side of the pipeline. Trees, shrubs, and any structures would be removed. The property owner would be restricted as to what they could do in the future in this area. Maintaining a lawn, gardening, and parking would be allowed; construction would not. Further, Duke Energy would have the right to re-enter your property in the future to do maintenance on the pipeline. This will certainly reduce the value of your property, and it would probably be best to discuss the value lost with a real estate agent. Duke Energy will offer compensation, but this amount might be less than what you think was lost. Further, as was pointed out, the payments from Duke Energy will end but the easement will go on forever. (I have personal experience with that sort of thing. There is an easement across the back of my yard for a sewer line that is 95 years old, still valid, and which prevents me from a constructing a new garage there. It did not show up in a title search when I bought my house because of its age, but it is still valid nonetheless. The Metropolitan Sewer District told me about it a few years ago when I discovered a couple workers in my backyard.) One of the speakers mentioned the importance of closely reviewing any easement agreement. For example, it might not mention that the top soil removed has to be put back on top so that things can grow again. If this isn’t specified the top Good Food Purchasing: Here is what’s going on locally T he Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, (CIWC) along with Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati, C.J. PIERCE Contributing Writer (WCC) committee Thriving Cincinnati gathered for a forum on Good Food Purchasing on January 9th. The goals: 1) Is to bring locally grown, farm to table, healthy food option and learning into our schools. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 5 soil might be put back in the bottom of the ditch, and getting anything decent to grow again on top will be very difficult. Former U.C. Law Professor James O’Reilly spoke about whether you are obligated to allow surveyors from Duke Energy to enter your property. The brief answer is no, you can simply say, “I refuse permission for surveyors to enter my property.” Duke Energy would then have to get a court order to continue, and you would have a right to contest this. As he said, “Those who remain silent are consenting.” Admittedly, if no one is home the surveyors might still trespass and do their work without getting your permission. After the meeting Professor O’Reilly passed out a sheet with further general information about the easement process. With the appropriate cautions that this is not individual legal advice, if Duke Energy sues to seize your easement you should call your personal attorney or the Lawyer Referral Service at 381-8359. If you delay, Duke’s lawyer will ask the judge for a default judgment against you. A couple other items mentioned was that the proposed pipeline extension is part of a larger “Master Plan” from Duke Energy, but what that master plan is has not been disclosed. What is the need for all of this of this extra gas? They admit that that they are not planning for a large increase in the population. Then there is the question of whether there will even be enough natural gas available to fill all the pipelines that are being planned around the country. After all, the amount of natural gas produced is actually declining of late. What may be the last of the mandated public informational meetings will probably have occurred (January 26) by the time you read this, but you can still make comments directly to the Ohio Power Siting Board: www.opsb.ohio.gov. Look for the heading “Power Siting Cases,” then click on “Pending Cases” followed by “Duke Central Corridor Extension Gas Pipeline, Hamilton County.” There is a place for public comments. Duke Energy’s website on the pipeline is: https://www.duke-energy.com/ home/natural-gas/central-corridorpipeline-ext The website for the main opposition group is: www.NOPEcincy.org 2) Within this initiative is also assuring that the farm workers are receiving real, livable and sustainable wages. In addition the company must provide and require health and safety gear and clothing that protects the worker within the working environment. 3) To provide the healthiest food options the Good Food Purchasing is (Continued on page 12) �6 LOCAL J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 8 (Continued on page 12) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �NATIONAL One Woman’s view from the Women’s March on Washington 7 No. 348 | J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 B lowback. Following the 2016 Presidential election, having witnessed the winner’s strategy of divide by hate, conquer by fear, a loose affiliation of activist women leaders called a national day KATE GALLION Contributing Writer of resistance for January 21. What started as a women’s protest against the bigotry and hate-baited rhetoric of the Trump campaign- quickly Women's March on Washington marchers on Metro Credit: Jim Luken Women's March on Washington Marchers Credit: Jim Luken KEY BECK (Continued from page 3) was signs and chants for equity for those with an immigrant status, protectors of land and water rights and marginalized black and trans lives. It was awesome to feel and be part of a movement this size, but it was easy to feel the issues of the truly oppressed being overlooked by the demands of the privileged. Perhaps this is a projection of my feelings as a non-binary, queer person of color or perhaps this was a reality only felt by those who are most oppressed. Regardless, these feelings were shared as one could see by looking as certain signs in the march. Both marches gave me a feeling of solidarity and inclusion. Both inspired me to do great work. But, only one had me fearing arrest or my safety. And, in my personal opinion, only centered the most marginalized of the oppressed (people of color, transgender and queer individuals and undocumented citizens). Police were not shy about their distaste for protesters exercising their rights to peacefully assemble at or around the inauguration. Nor were they shy about their calm disposition and willingness to support the marches morphed into a public re-dedication to America’s core democratic values (often espoused, rarely achieved): Equality, Fairness, Human Rights, Social Justice for all. Intersectionality and collaborative social media skills aligned for the staging of the largest global day of citizen activism in history. The Women’s March on Washington was the epicenter drawing more than 500,000 allies, with 300 cities around the world staging sister marches and 3 million global participants. A massive coordinated protest. When the call for a women’s resistance to Trump emerged just hours after the election, it was fueled by anger at the sexist, racist, bigoted language and divisive tactics employed by Trump, (who lost the popular vote by three million, but won the archaic Electoral College (an instrument with a racist past undermining the will of the people’s vote.) Anger was righteous. Fear was endemic. Women began to participate in Facebook groups speaking of diminished rights, marginalization, inequity and victimization by the pervasive violent rape culture. What happened next is remarkable. Anger converted to action, and out of the momentum emerged an inclusive agenda of human rights and social justice reform. Pilgrimage the drive from Cincinnati to D.C. Every rest stop and gas station was teeming with women in pink “pussy hats”- variations of a knit cap with kitten ears. From gas pumps, to buses on the turnpike. from Union Station to The Mall - a massive wall of pink hats. We walked past the Canadian Embassy toward the National Gallery, until we were stopped still by the crush. The march to the White House began at 1:00 pm, but our feet couldn't move for a full hourat which point we flowed off route, opening more streams, eventually rejoining the body of protestors. But this action was already beyond protest. It had morphed into an entity of political will, a movement not of partisan politics, but of transcendent human power. Curiously missing were police, guns, security and obvious surveillance. No helicopters, no drone cameras. Consequently, we are missing the customary aerial angles of the entire march. Lacking that evidence it becomes much easier to diminish and dismiss. Trump’s tweets of the day embraced the false narrative of a small turnout. Administration spokesperson Kellyanne Conway preferred the term “alternate truth” to describe Trump’s myopia. However the mute testimony of thousands of signs and (Continued on page 11 Women's March on Washington Marchers Credit: Jim Luken the following day. It was very apparent that the objective of officers was to disrupt and diffuse the protest at the inauguration, while the goal was to support and provide safety at the Women’s March on Washington. It’s for this reason that we need more inclusion in our movements. We need more coalition building between groups. I would have loved to have one million plus citizens at both marches. Some argue that white feminism has been fought on the backs of women of color. In the same vein, some argue that movements like Black Lives Matters is exclusionary of those who occupy a white body. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Regardless of the truth or fallacy, we need more feet on the ground. We need people willing to step up and step out. There is no reason why both marches and protest shouldn’t be protected and supported by officers. There is also no reason for us to have to choose one movement/action over another. As Hillary Clinton stated, “We are Stronger Together” and I think it is about time we show it. No longer should we have multiple movements. We need to demand our rights together because together we can achieve great things. ------------------------ �e 8 NATIONAL Civil Disobedience W DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer ith tears in her eyes, shaking and stuck in the intersection, a woman pleads with protesters to let her through. “I need to pick up my kids from school – they can’t get home without me!” Between sobs, she asks anyone who will listen, “Please! Why can’t you let me go?!” Her voice changes from sadness to terror – will she be stuck here much longer? Why won’t those police officers help her? Why are the streets blocked in the first place? At noon, on January 20th 2017, at the time American Presidents are kept a hard wall against the police. For several tense hours, a four block radius around 12th and K were shut down, creating a traffic nightmare in the area. News reports claim that 230 people were arrested and property damage exceeded $100,000. Several businesses of note, such as banks and coffee chains, were targeted because of their role in oppression here in the United States and across the globe. Their windows broken with crowbars and hammers, these corporations had new windows in place just hours after the initial confrontation. J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 8 station in DC was the lack of crowds. Even though the police had cordoned off an area around the parade route, known as the “Red Zone,” the streets and sidewalks seemed barren, except for people with signs disavowing the new President’s legitimacy. Slogans lambasting the character of the new leader mostly peppered the areas around the police checkpoints and around Trump International Hotel. Chants started early, some from the standards, but also some chants with nuances regarding the newly elected President. I arrived to Pennsylvania Avenue just moments before noon, and heard portions of the Inauguration Ceremony on the loudspeaker. People in the streets jeered and derided the words heard over the speaker. were also prominently displayed throughout the city. After the Inaugural Ceremony, I began to hear that “riots” were happening at K and 12th Streets, so I headed that direction. By the time I got there, the intersection was occupied by police officers, but they were still shooting loud sonic grenades into the crowd to push it back further – eventually to a block near a park that later hosted an antinuclear weapons mini-music festival. To symbolize the death of traditional media and the control of the capitalist class, people threw newspaper boxes into the street and set them on fire. The burning newspaper vending boxes set the tone for the eventual occupation of the intersections surrounding the block. Just a few A police cruiser shows damage to its window The Limo that was vandalized, later burned Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman typically sworn in, the streets of our nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C., erupted in chaos. 12th and K Street became the flashpoint between hundreds of people – of many different backgrounds – and police, armed with riot gear and special munitions. The riot police took the intersection with divide and conquer tactics by launching sonic and pellet grenades in the center and pushing people out of the intersection in four different directions. People ran from the intersection, but many It seems to me that people are not comfortable acknowledging the role of inconvenience or property damage in civil disobedience. We are encouraged to distance ourselves from the spectacle because it may not seem to advance our peaceful cause. This act of destruction may seem like a purposeless or childish response to injustice, but it is an important tactic in the vast array of ways to address grievances. The first thing I noticed when I emerged from the Metro Center train Crowds began to surround the police checkpoints, shutting them down and preventing people from entering or even getting around the checkpoint. The mood of the crowd was very apprehensive as Trump supporters in the signature red baseball caps with “Make America Great Again” scrawled across them shared space with people with “Make Racists Afraid Again” hats and signs showing the President in compromising positions with Russian Leader Putin. Shepard Fairy’s iconic poster designs feet from the burning newspaper, a limousine was destroyed – first broken then burned. A road flare was the kindling used to start the fire. What could be more symbolic of the current administration than a burning limousine? If Donald Trump is able to function as President of the United States, he must recognize the resistance towards him, rather than attempt to discredit anything that doesn’t flatter him. Civil (Continued on page 11) Media document the burning of the newspaper boxes One of many intersections that were taken over by protestors Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �9 LOCAL Vandalism and Racist symbols at Withrow University High School No. 348 | J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 R JUSTIN JEFFRE Staff Writer acial slurs, swastikas and the name “Trump” were spray painted at multiple locations at Withrow University High School in Hyde Park. According to police the incident occurred on January 21, between 11:30 p.m. and midnight. Video footage of the perpetrator has been released and shared widely on social media, but the person was wearing a hat and had their face covered. Police believe it was a white male that acted alone. The incident is part of a string of similar acts here locally. A swastika was painted on a sign at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, an interracial couple’s home was vandalized with swastikas and other racist images and similar images were painted on the Loveland bike trail in recent months. The overwhelming majority of the Withrow’s student population are minorities. The school’s football team recently made headlines for kneeling during the national anthem before football games in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick’s protests against police brutality and oppression of people of color. These local acts are part of a larger trend though. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center there’s been a large uptick in hate crimes across the nation since the election of President Donald Trump. These types of incidents happened during his campaign but have become more frequent following his election. The Anti-Defamation League released a report in October about the rise of anti-Semitic harassment and the NYPD reports that hate crimes are up 31% compared to last year. Gov. Andrew Cuomo told CNN, "The ugly political discourse of the election did not end on Election Day. In many ways it has gotten worse, [turning] into a social crisis that now challenges our identity as a state and as a nation and our people." The graffiti at Withrow was removed on Sunday. On Monday January 23, around 200 community members gathered early in the morning to greet and show students support as they arrived at school. Restaurateur Jeff Ruby has offered a reward and authorities encourage anyone with any Why we should support public education I JORGE GARAY Contributing Writer am the father of five wonderful kids, two of which are in Cincinnati Public Schools. I am crazy about my kids; I kiss them every day and will even say I am addicted to them. I support the public schools because school is like a second home to our kids, where they spend a lot of their time outside of their first home, and public education is the most democratic. Public education, to me, means everybody is welcome regardless of race, sexual orientation, culture, status, etc. Public means all the members of a community. This year has enforced my belief, more than ever, that our public schools need more support. One example I will give is an event that happened shortly after the election. My kids, along with others that attend their school, are Latino. One day, my 11-year-old daughter was sitting with a friend at lunch when two older kids of different ethnicity approached them. They turned to my child and said, “You’re from America, right?” Then they focused on her friend, who was born in Mexico, and started harassing him, calling him names and telling him to go back to Mexico, all the while stabbing their pencils into the small boy’s orange that sat on the table in front of him. This election has caused many people to forget what public and community mean; we must not allow that to happen. Why do I support public Parents and Supporters Gather at Withrow Bridge to Welcome Students Credit: Chas Wiederhold information about the incident to call CrimeStoppers at 513-352-3040. The city of Cincinnati is currently reviewing its hate crime response. Cincinnati has one of the toughest hate crime laws in the country which now includes attacks against people experiencing homelessness. education? Because education is not just about turning our kids into lawyers or doctors, but it is about teaching individuals how to be better human beings. Public education is an opportunity and a chance for every child to bring themselves up. I support it because it is a basic human right – as much as food or water. Our kids deserve to be in schools that have the resources and the support from the administration to get rid of the bullying and discrimination. Our kids also deserve to learn what diversity truly means, to accept and respect other human beings, rather than to focus or obsess over comparing themselves to the person they stand next to. Public School Rally Credit: Michelle Dillingham THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED [Jorge Garay is a parent of two students at S.C.P.A.] ------------------------. �10 R ecently, I've struggled to determine where certain boundaries should reside. When is something "weird" versus "normal"? "Healthy" versus "mentally ill"? I'm not sure I know anymore, and that fact troubles me. First, let me state that I don't really care what people do with their lives or lifestyles, so long as it does not cause harm. If you are a transgender person, I don't care if you want to have gender reassignment surgery. However, if I proclaim that transgender people are "weird," I will undoubtedly get slammed as intolerant, insensitive, and a bigot. I don't want to call transgender people "weird." That's not my point in writing this. There is a Canadian named Stefonknee Wolscht who was born as a man, had a wife and children, and then decided to live as a 6-year old girl. It's that last part that gets me. Set aside the gender identity issue for a moment, and focus on the notion that an adult can decide she's really OPINION Call me weird if you want JASON HAAP Contributing Writer a 6-year-old girl. Wolscht reportedly lives with "adoptive parents" who let her live as if she's their daughter. Stefonknee is 6'2" and 47 years old. Let me be clear: I don't care if this is what Stefonknee and her new parents want to do. I won't try to stop them. But I think it's weird, and I don't think I should be labeled as some sort of intolerant sounding word ending in "-ist" because I think so. There is a 21-year-old Norwegian woman who feels like she is a cat trapped inside a human's body. Her name is Nano, she wears clip-on ears, she walks on all fours, and she meows. Once again, I'm not going to try and stop her. It's not really my business if that's what she wants to do with her life. But I think it's weird. And I believe it's okay to think that. Is it possible that Nano isn't really a cat trapped inside a human's body, and instead that she suffers from a mental illness? Before answering that question, what if I told you about a person who has multiple people living in his body? Would that be a mental illness? Yes. It's called "schizophrenia." For some reason, if multiple people are trapped in or if they otherwise manifest in a single body, it's considered a medical condition. Why not use the same terminology for Nano, the cat woman? What about the 6'2" tall, 47-year-old six-year-old? I struggle with the boundaries here. I don't want to say that transgender people are "mentally ill." But where do we draw the line? If you think you are a toddler trapped in a grown up's body? A feline in a human's? Why might those be okay, but not multiple personalities? There are other things I find weird, like face tattoos, or holes in earlobes the size of fists. And, again, I don't care if people do that. It's just THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 8 strange to me. I think it's weird when omnivorous people refuse to eat delicious food because it's "vegan." I think it's weird that people genuinely seem to enjoy drinking shitty beer. Or how about the fact that people think meat from a pig's butt cheek is tasty, but freak out when I talk about facial cheek meat? I do not pretend to be a pillar of normalcy myself. I do plenty of weird things, and people tell me so all the time. I don't think this makes them intolerant, or bigoted. So that's another line I can't quite understand: why calling some traits "weird" is okay, while calling others "weird" makes someone prejudiced. In a couple months, I will turn 42. The more I ponder life, the universe, and everything, the more I feel like a stereotypical old white guy, getting crotchety about the crazy things people are doing "these days." ------------------------. �11 LOCAL No. 348 | J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 Trump Supporters in the foreground attempt to ignore protestors at security check Protest in DC near Hard Rock Cafe and Security Checkpoint Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman Credit: Dr. Mark Mussman DR. MARK MUSSMAN (Continued from page 8) disobedience is necessary when the government does not function in a JUSTIN JEFFRE (Continued from page 7) walks of life. While we have certainly had squabbles within our doors, as all families do, we have never before had this level of violence, nor do we expect to again,” said Getty. Adding, “Nonetheless, we have instituted some new security measures to help preserve the safety of all within our doors. We thank our guests and volunteers for their patience with the new system and mourn with them the need for this in our home.” New security measures include two contracted security personnel who will “wand” each visitor to check for weapons and store each visitor’s belongings in a secured area until they are ready to leave the way that serves all. When individual rights are being threatened it is most important to use civil disobedience to help get the message out, help create cohesive groups, and bring the change through pressure. If we don’t recognize that injustice hurts us all, there will be no change. Sadly, “no change” affects people who are marginalized most, and this is something that we must recognize before we can move towards justice. building. Getty expressed condolences to the family and friends of Deante Mattocks. “No one should ever have to go through the suffering that you are going through. He was a young man, an artist, a brother, a son, a father. He will live on in his children. You are all in our prayers and we will never forget Deante. Our prayers are also with the young woman who was harmed. We wish you a full recovery and a full life, filled with peace,” she said. “First, I would like to thank the staff and volunteers of Our Daily Bread. We are more than co-workers, we are family. We have leaned on one another this week, cried together, and even laughed together once or twice. Every single member of this team came back the next day. Together, we have rebuilt Our Daily Bread and it will continue to be a beacon of love to all who need us. Thank you also to the friends and family of staff and volunteers. You were there when we needed you. If we are strong, it is only because we have so many rocks to hold us up. If we continue to love, it is only because we receive the love we need,” said Getty. Getty went on to thank Model Group, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the soup kitchen community, the Cincinnati Police Department, the police trauma team that provided their staff with counseling. And, “Finally, one last thank you to everyone who has already or will step forward in the weeks to come. Our Daily Bread is a space of hope, of comfort, of shared meals, and ultimately, of love. Thank you for walking with us through the worst part of our journey and reminding us of all of the good left to do,” she said. Our Daily Bread is Cincinnati’s largest soup kitchen, serving between 400-500 meals per day, Monday – Friday. In addition, Our Daily Bread also provides social work services and Kid’s Club, and after school program. In continuous operation since 1985, Our Daily Bread remains a beacon of Stability and Hope in Over the Rhine. It’s located at 1730 Race St., on the corner of Race and Elder across from Findlay Market. I’ve awakened from a surreal winter’s dream. Trees are bare, temperature neighboring near San Francisco of memory. Fog insinuates in, out. We are familiars yet gravitational forces have separated us. Now reunited we finish sentences before they are... Hearts and heads aligned. Some terrible thing has happened, we are implicated in a disaster and we have to “fix it”. We trickle, then pour onto the trains compacted into raspberry gelee with a cohesion of purpose unspoken, then shouted. Alone, we are burdened with shame and dread. Together we form a system. The well within has opened and we know- WE can do this. WE have this. KATE GALLION (Continued from page 7) posters left on the steps of Trump’s hotel, lining the Mall, stacked at the Metro stations, bear witness to our presence and commitment to stand up and fight back. Why we march… Partisanship has failed us. Corruption and lack of credibility plagued the contest. One half of the citizenry declined to participate. We march for essential women’s rights to reproductive healthcare, the defense of Planned Parenthood, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, religious tolerance and critical reform of the racist oppressors of police and judicial violence. We have transcended partisan politics to achieve solidarity with women’s rights and human rights as the goal. This is the start of a resistance groundswell, but what comes after? What does the “work” look like, and is it sustainable? (On his first full day in office, President Trump re-instated a Reagan era ban on the use of U.S. foreign aid funds for abortions or BILL WOODS (Continued from page 4) elections and illegal voting during the campaign, the forces that support tougher restrictions for registering to Protest in near Hard Rock Cafe and Security Checkpoint Credit: Jim Luken abortion counseling). Guessing he didn’t get the pink pussy hatted message. Perhaps he’s crafting “alternate facts”. Gloves off, imperative. ----We Are Water resistance vote and voting will probably be more active than ever before. Thus, as we start the first full week of the Trump Administration, reformers and civic activists better be ready to take up the cause of renewing democracy themselves. The huge women's marches in cities across the country bode well for enlisting recruits for grassroots campaigns to take on causes such as Congressional redistricting reform and protecting THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED is Knee to hip, shoulder to shoulder to shoulder. This machine destroys hate and fear. We are smiling now. We’ve eaten dirt. We are water. voting rights. The organizing tool in the coming months and years must be collaboration. Only by coming together with our diverse progressive causes do we have a chance for success. �12 T STREET VOICE The Road to Redemption o start I must say this is about me and my experiences here at Joseph House. These are all my opinions and thoughts. I came here in September of 2016. Having been living with my mom for the past 25 years after getting honorably discharged from the US Army. I came here to save my life. I am an Alcoholic. Writing that simple 9 letter word has more meaning to me than any other word in the human language. I must admit that to myself daily or I will forget why I am here. I was here 3 years ago, but wasn’t ready to stop my destructive lifestyle and more importantly be honest with myself and others. Joseph House is a place for Veterans like myself who suffer from the disease of Addiction. C.J. PIERCE (Continued from page 5) requiring the humane treatment of livestock. 4) With a drive toward sustainability and cutting down on the waste. Thus keeping functional foods and products out of the landfill. Foods often get thrown away that are still good. EX: an apple being discard because of a bruise, yet the apple is still eatable. BOBBY MORRIS Contributing Writer Let me describe who I was at my mom’s house. I was that creepy Uncle who stayed upstairs at his mom’s house who only came out to get something to eat or to do that weekly chore of putting the garbage on the curb begrudgingly. I was so isolated from life that I forgot how to feel. I was disconnected from my family and from reality. I was in a state of depression many like me can identify with. After years of this I finally had enough and made the call to Joseph House for help. Since that day in September my life has transformed. Redemption had begun without me knowing it at the time I start my day with chores, being For a brief video on GFPP: http:/vimeo.com/realfoodmedia/ gfpp?ref=em-v-share The unspoken message in this meeting was there’s variety of groups and individuals working toward good food options for our schools, our communities and neighborhoods, each with a desire to do their part for every person fairly, justly and equitably. Some of those attending were Vivian Rodger’s a C.P.S. parent “Breakdown Stereotypes” responsible is something I lack. At my age this is something I should have learned at 14, but at that age I was drinking and drugging. Joseph House uses simple activities to get me to get in the habit of doing what’s right. It’s a struggle somedays and I think even non-Alcoholics can relate to struggling with things at times. Being a Veteran is a common thread for us. Taking orders and doing things with an attention to detail has been lost over the years but not forgotten. Joseph House reminds me of that constantly. Working in groups and going to meetings allows me to get to know who I am. Here the recovery is individual based. Each one of us have our own difficulties and with the help of staff (my Counselor) I have grown. and activist for healthy foods in our schools; Michaela Oldham, Director of Greater Cincinnati Food Policy Council; Megan Gakabrill, Slow Food; Michael Taylor a Naturalpath; Penny Shore, Wyoming Farmers Market; Harriet Matthey, Soul Cycle and several members of CIWC and WCC. All deserve to have healthy options that are easily accessible and the quality of our foods determine our health. To give oneself and our J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 8 I am not perfect each day but I see the small changes in my life. These small changes will eventually lead to a better me and with that a productive member of society. That is one of the goals of my recovery to redeem that in which I have lost and have destroyed in other people. To conclude this brief stint into the life I have here in Joseph House. I would say that I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world right now. I can see the redeeming qualities in myself and the others around me and with that in mind we all can make the people in our lives proud to know us once again. REDEMEPTION IS POSSIBLE THROUGH THE HELP AND AID OF PEOPLE LIKE THOSE AT JOSEPH HOUSE TO CARRY YOU THROUGH THE ROUGH PATCHES UNTIL YOU CAN SEE THE GREEN PASTURES UP AHEAD. children the best, to become the best each of us can be, starts with the nutrition of our foods. This requires ALL of us to do “our part” to resist convenience, to support our local venders that purchase from other local venders, especially those that are also investing in sustainable practices. [C.J. Pierce is a member of the Woman’s City Club Thriving Cincinnati Committee.] “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 �13 STREET VOICE No. 348 | J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 Crying Rain AN INAUGURAL CRITIQUE Looking out the window Little Jack Horner The rain is falling hard, and fast Sat in a corner There are intervals of thunder Watching the Inauguration. Slashing ever so often He said with a sigh: And then it suddenly stops "I prefer leftover pie Until the next thunder slash appears To Trump's bleak oration." It lets you know that God is, near BILL WOODS Contributing Writer So take heed LIFE GOES ON Listen to his might THESE YEAR BEING GONE REST ASSURE HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF RIGHT HERE Because thunder and rain, THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE WITH THE MEMORIES WE Will, be coming HOLD SO DEAR KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE THOUGHT OF DAYS GONE BY I CAN SEE A PICTURE OF HISTORY IN MY MIND THE MEMORY OF TODAY AS WE REMEMBER OUR HISTORY WITH OUR HEARTS COMBINED THE MIND IS FOREVER LIVING AND BY GODS GRACE WE WILL FOREVER GO ON THE MIND WITH A MEMORY, FUNNY YOU DON'T RERMEMBER THE DAY YOU WAS BORN! THE DAY YOUR MEMORY COMES INTO PLAY YOU BELIEVE IN HEARING STRANGERS THE DAY YOU WERE GROWN, YOUR PARENTS COULD NOT TELL YOU BOUT THE DANGERS THE UNDERSTANDING THAT LIFE GOES ON IS FOR YOU TO SEE AND BELEIVE GOD IS GOOD 24 7!! I BELEIVE WE ALL WILL LIVE FOREVER CAN YOU BELIEVE ME!!!! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 117 Across 1. Institute legal proceedings against 4. Junk e-mail 8. Hoodlum 12. Hex 13. Type of cabbage 14. Wading bird 16. Not in favor of 17. Golf club 18. Bird of prey 19. Spiritual being 21. Refuse to acknowledge 23. Physically skilful 24. Sheep 25. Woodwind instrument 27. Beam 29. Scheme 30. Worthless or oversimplified ideas 31. Cutting tool 34. Brash 37. Ancient German alphabet character 38. Pool stick 39. Corrode 40. Crone 41. Naked 42. Mountain 43. Large predatory feline 45. Parka 47. Month 48. Consumed 49. Humble request for help 50. Hotshot 51. Drink made by steeping, boiling and fermenting 52. Cooking utensil 55. Space for movement 58. To a greater extent 60. Topic 62. Relating to hearing 64. Writing table 66. A particular environment 67. Superficial abrasion 68. Part of a calendar 69. Fabric used to dress wounds 70. Sleigh 71. Smoke and fog 72. Of long duration Down 1. Tendon 2. Undo 3. Way out 4. Snow runner 5. Minister of religion 6. Solitary 7. Bill of fare 8. Definite article 9. Intoxicating 10. Exhort 11. Outdoor game 12. Semiprecious gemstone 15. Mesh 20. Part of an egg 22. Food from the husks of cereal grains 26. Larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf 28. Primate 29. Domestic companion 30. Breed of dog 31. Evidence of past injury 32. Nimbus 33. Seven days 34. Pack to capacity 35. Polynesian rain dance 36. Catch sight of 37. Operated 40. Gardening tool 41. Constrictor 43. Used in varnishes and sealing wax 44. Detail 45. Beer 46. Triton 49. Very fast tempo 50. Astound 51. Freshwater fish 52. Danger 53. Ameliorate 54. Orderly 55. Tatter 56. Belonging to us 57. Examination by word of mouth 59. Betting ratio 61. Circle of light around the sun or moon 63. Was ahead of the others 65. Small cask or barrel J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 8 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 247 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 343 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 116 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 246- MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 348 | J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 Central Access Point 381-SAFE Shelter: Women and Children Bethany House 557-2873 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 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 Other Resources St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 215 E. 14th St. 45202 1730 Race Street 45202 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave. 45223 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 4600 Erie Ave. 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 6037 Cary Ave. 45224 Salvation Army 762-5660 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 15 Northern Kentucky 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 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 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 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 2401 Reading Rd. 45202 VA 977-6800 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Food/Clothing Hamilton/Middletown Joseph House (Veterans) 1522 Republic Street 45202 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 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 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. 45214 Housing: Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both 471-1100 Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 UpSpring 363-3300 Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY 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 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary 859-491-3335 859-572-6202 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Health Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave. 45229 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 Cincinnati Health Network 2825 Burnet Ave. 45219 961-0600 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 Want to advertise in Streetvibes? Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 352-6364 You can support our mission and spread the word about your business. For more information contact Justin Jeffre at 513-421-70803 x 12 or email streetvibes@cincihomeless.org 5 E. Liberty St. 45202 OTR: 1620 Vine Street 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert Ave. 45206 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio $100 for 26 issues $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED for 26 issues and a $50 donation �16 J a n 2 7 - F e b 9, 2 0 17 | N o . 34 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 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 3/2000 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 RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 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 MIKE CARANO SINCE 4/2016 MYRA WILSON NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 1999 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY LOTTIE MANNER WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 cincistreetvibes.org THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 � 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 January 27-February 9, 2017 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: From the Director Our Daily Reopens Pg 3: A Tale of Two Protests Pg 4: Community Leaders Call of Sen. Portman to Protect the Affordable Care Act Reflections on the Inauguration Pg 5: Residents Continued to Oppose Pipeline Pg 6: How to Respond to Panhandling Pg 7: One Woman’s View from the Women’s March on Washington Pg 8: Civil Disobedience Pg 9: Vandalism and Racist Symbols at Withrow University High School Why We Should Support Public Education Pg 10: Call Me Weird If You Want Pg 11: Dr. Mark Mussman Continued Justin Jeffre Continued Kate Gallion Continued Pg 12: The Road to redemption 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 January 27-February 9, 2017 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Key Beck Bill Woods Michael Earl Patton C.J. Peirce Kate Gallion Dr. Mark Mussman Jorge Garay Jason Haap Bobby Morris Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Our Daily Bread David Little Chas Wiederhold Michelle Dillingham Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Affordable Car Act Bill Woods Bobby Morris C.J. Peirce Chas Wiederhold city council civil rights David Little Dr. Mark Mussman education Inauguration Jason Haap Jorge Garay Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kate Gallion Key Beck Kim Green Michael Earl Patton Michelle Dillingham Our Daily Bread Pipeline Protests Racism Voting Washington Willa Denise Jones Withrow University Womens Rights