insider news

Victim of Sexual Abuse Tells All In BookVOL. 22, No. 3. Febuary 1-15, 2010 | Web site: Racineinsideronline.com | E-mail: [email protected] | 262.632.9370

Sonya Visor is a co-pas-tor, playwright, author,speaker, wife, and mother.Who would have everguessed that she was a vic-tim of sexual abuse? Yetshe openly tells her story inher book “Who I’veBecome Is Not Who I Am”.Her passion is to helpwomen who hide behindmasks because of abusebecome the person theywere truly created to be.

Visor’s journey to bookwriting began with usingher talent as a playwright.She shared about the firstplay she wrote called “LeftBehind” It started whenher church family, GreggChapel at the time, beganbrainstorming for fundraiser

ideas. She offered to put herpassion for writing and journal-

ism to work by writing a play. Tickets were sold for $3. The play sold out and theplace was packed. This first venture was so successful that she wrote another playcalled “Love Me For Who I AM”. The turnout for the plays forced her to look fora bigger venue and so her next play “He Got Up, Now Let Me” landed at theRacine Theater Guild.

From there Visor gained confidence to put her personal abuse story on paper.She said, “I actually finished the book in 2006 and turned it into the publisher, but

they returned it and told me that it did not reveal enough, there was not enoughdetail” At that point, she had to make toughdecisions about how much information toshare and sort through a range of emotionsthat comes with going public with such atraumatic event. The result is that the bookexplains in explicit detail about the sexualabuse, her attempted suicide, and her journeyto wholeness and healing.

After the book was actually released, Visoradmits she still battled with fear over bearingher soul to the public. She stated “I heardthis voice in the back of mind say, “Whathave you done…all of Racine will know apart of your story?” It was great, embarrass-ing and scary at the same time.”

She continued with courage promoting thebook and helped others in the process. Visorshared that the risk was worth it for the livesthat were touched. She said, “The rewardcame when I received calls, emails and text

messages saying, “thank you” or “now I can tell someone that the same thing hap-pened to me.” She is glad that telling her story has ultimately began the processof healing for others.”

TRU-U Ministries was also born out of Visor’s sexual abuse. She holds confer-ences regularly to address the issues women face from abuse and low self-esteem.Individuals wishing to find out more information can visit her website:www.sonyavisor.com or www.tru-u.com. The book, “Who I’ve Become Is NotWho I Am” is available at Commitments Bookstore or on her website. In addition,Visor and her husband, Pastor Tony Visor, pastor New Covenant Church in RacineWI and she can be contacted at the church: (262)-632-9920.

“Who I’ve Become

Is Not Who I Am”

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Sonya Visor

The Insider News, February 1-15, 2011


Sheila Egerson 555 Main St. 262..619.2738

Tonya C.Evans is the SiteAdministrator forthe RacineCommunityHealth Care. Sheoversees the day-to-day operationsand is responsiblefor developingthe overall visionof the center andhow it will bestprovide servicesto the Racinecommunity.

Evans saysthat the healthcare professionchose her. Shewasn’t lookingfor a career as ahealth care pro-fessional. Evanssaid, “To be quitehonest I got intothis in an untradi-tional manner. Idegrees inEnglish and in Science Administrationand most people in this field have degreesin the medical profession.”

Evans started working in Flint,Michigan at a place that provided healthcare to the under insured and the unin-sured children in Genesee County. Fromthere she moved up in the organization.Prior to moving to Racine she was theadministrator of a department that hadabout a five million dollar budget.

Once in Racine, she began workingat the Racine Community Health Centerto bring quality healthcare to those whocould not afford it. She said, “The mis-sion of the center is to provide a high

level of qualitycare to every-body in thecommunity,whether it bedental, medicalor mentalhealth servic-es.”

She fur-thered shared,“Because of thelack of insur-ance or beingunder insured,the organizationtries to provideservices tothose who don’tgenerally haveaccess to med-ical care”. Shefeels that manypeople whocould benefitfrom their serv-ices are notaware that theyeven exist.

In years to come, Tonya sees her-self the increasing the number of patientsseen, diversifying services, and creatingstronger collaborative relationships withvarious organizations in the community.

The Racine Community Health CareCenter, located at 2405 NorthwesternAve, has been operating for four years.Their hours of operation are: Mondaythrough Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. The den-tal department is open on Mondaythrough Wednesday from 7:00am until5:00pm. Individuals can contact the cen-ter at (262) 886-0474 for more informa-tion.


Evans gets into medical careerin an untraditional manner

As of Jan. 1, about 650 law enforce-ment agencies in the state had to start col-lecting the age, zip code, gender and eth-nicity of drivers pulled over and theirpassengers in an effort to determinewhether deputies and officers are stop-ping drivers on the basis of race.

Kenosha County Sheriff David Bethand Racine County Sheriff ChristopherSchmaling said filling out the new form,either by hand or on the squad's computer

takes too long. The extra time spentcould impact officer safety and deputiesalready note much of the information oncitations.

"Don't tie up my officers," said Beth,who along with Schmaling directed theirdeputies not to comply. "We are alreadystruggling with the amount of deputieswe have on the road. The amount of callswe have, and the numbers keep going up.This is just another restriction, mandate

Racine NAACP, Supervisor DonnieSnow, and Al Gardner wants newSheriff to uphold the law

Gardner Rogers Snow Schmaling

we have."Gloria Rogers, president of the Racine

Branch of the NAACP, said, “Those thatare sworn to uphold the law for everyoneshould not have the right to cherry-pickthe laws they want to enforce.”

The local branch is reviewing ouroptions, but feel that Sheriff Schmalingneeds to reaffirm that he is committed tocarrying out his vowed duties for all peo-ple of Racine County.

Donnie Snow, a 12 year veteranCounty Board Supervisor said, “No citi-zen or public official should be able toarbitrarily and unilaterally refuse toenforce or abide by the law.” As otherslistened intently, he furthered comment-ed, “How does the rank and file lawenforcement officer reconcile enforcingthe law enacted by the legislature and

responding to a direct order by theirsupervisor to disobey the same law?”

Sharing the same sentiments was AlGardner, a community activist whorecently spoke before the Racine CityCouncil said, “ He is setting a bad exam-ple for the children of the communityand if he has any children, he is also set-ting a bad example for them, that youcan break the law and get away with it.”He believes that the County Executive,who is a former sheriff himself, shouldsit down with Schmaling and explain tohim that he needs to follow the lawwhether he believes in it or not.”

The Racine County Public Protectionand Justice System committee will meettonight at 5:0 pm, Ives Grove, 14200Washington Ave.

1717 Taylor Avenue Racine, Wisconsin

(262) 638-6800Mon-Fri. - 8:00 AM-5:00PM

1717 Taylor Avenue Racine, Wisconsin

(262) 638-6800Mon-Fri. - 8:00 AM-5:00PM


In observance of Black History Month,the members of Zoe Outreach Ministrieswill present the 10th annual “Say AmenSomebody” program, a musical produc-tion that will recount the history of gospelmusic in the African-American church.The program will include a skit depictinga time-honored family reunion theme,which will include a musical tribute tothe history and legends of gospel music.

A journey from slave songs to today’surban and contemporary gospel music,the program will chronicle the progres-sion and importance of the black churchexperience as it relates to gospel music.This production will offer an opportunityto honor the pioneers such as, ThomasDorsey, the “Father of Gospel Music”,Mahalia Jackson, the “Mother of GospelMusic”, and Rev. James Cleveland, the“King of Gospel Music”, as well as cele-brate the current artists of today, such asRev. John P. Kee, Kirk Franklin, YolandaAdams, and many others.

"Say Amen Somebody" was birthedseveral years ago by Minister Sherri L.Jackson, who was driven by a desire toprovide a program that was historical,

educational, and spiritual. Over theyears, the program has evolved into acommunity-involved production, includ-ing a full choir, musical groups, soloists,and dancers, made up of various mem-bers of the community and local church-es.

The program will be held at WilliamHorlick High School, Racine, at 6:00p.m., on Sunday, February 27, 2011.With a full band, choir, dance, and somedramatic performances, it promises to bea joyous event. Admission to the produc-tion is $5 with advance purchase fromZoe members.

Additionally, to honor the AfricanAmerican heritage, a Soul Food dinnerwill also be prepared that same day,February 27, 2010. The dinners will beavailable from 12pm – 3pm at ZoeOutreach Ministries: $10 for adults(advance purchase only by Feb 20, 2011)and $5 for children (at door only).

For more information or to purchasetickets, you may contact Zoe OutreachMinistries at (262) 619-3027.

Zoe Host 10th Annual Gospal Musical

Entitle: “Say Amen Somebody”

The University of Wisconsin-Parksidecelebrated the people who keep Dr.Martin Luther King's dream alive Above: UW-Parkside's Dr. MartinLuther King Jr. Celebration took placeFriday, Jan. 21, 2011. The programculminated with the presentation ofthe university's Community ServiceAward to a pair of Racine residents.Activists Latasha Collins andTuanquilla (Tessa) McKinney, whoworks with unwed teen mothers, werehonored as sources of inspiration tothe city's teens and young adults.Middle phoo: Reciving Essay awardswere Jazlyn Collins,left, and anMiranda Langdon. Joint them wasUW-Parkside Pre-College ProgramAssistant Bettie Poole.A stunning dance performnce wasgiven by “Connections” Praise DanceTeam.

Earline House celebrate her 49th Birthday with her family recently. Shownseated with House were her granddaughter Nakyah Clemon and NeontiClemon. Shown standing are her two sons and daughter James Stoner, JfferyHouse and Connie Famous.

House Celebrates 49th Birthday with Family


Robert Camel, age 25, is an AfricanAmerican residing in Racine. In 2004 hemigrated to Racine fromChicago to better his life.He attended J I CaseHigh School and marriedthe love of his life, Tedra.They have one child.Robert loves being amentor to the youth in hischurch and community.He wants to empowerthem with the message to“be the best that one canbe.” He knows the hard-ship of not being the bestand wants to share hispast experiences, hopingto reach the youth withmuch love and encour-agement. His motto:Each one Reach One. He also plans tostart a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Foundationin the Racine Community.

In 2008 he was diagnosed withHodgkin’s Lymphoma Disease. Themedical bill began to add up. Robert isscheduled for a bone marrow transplantand must receive it by February 15. “It’sbeen really amazing,” says Robert. “It’shard sometimes because you feel negativeand brought down by the whole situation,but then everyone comes together andsupports you, and it’s like impossible tobe negative. You just have to keepgoing.”

The Racine Community is comingtogether by hosting a Benefit Musical for

Robert Camel on Saturday,February 26 @ 6:00 PMand Sunday, February 27 @3:30 PM. The Benefit willbe hosted at the Greater St.Luke Baptist Church, 1326State Street, Pastor JesseSumerall. Guests groupsinvited: Songs of Faith,Wrights Singers, Tru LightSingers, Christian ManGospel Group, AbundantLife Church, Just 4, FullGospel Church and otherguests.

Lymphoma is a term forcancers that develop fromcells of the lymphatic sys-tem (which is part of the

body's immune system) called lympho-cytes (a subset of white blood cellsresponsible for immunity and fightinginfections). Lymphomas first start fromerrors that occur in the DNA of lympho-cytes in either the lymph nodes or otherlymphoid tissue. When one of these cellsundergoes a transformation into a malig-nant cell and begins to grow abnormally,lymphoma arises.

Special Note: Donations can be sent toEducator Credit Union, Hodgkin’sLymphoma Benefit Account, on behalf ofRobert Camel.

Benefit to raise money for Hodgkin'sLymphoma patient…Robert Camel

The Insider News, January 15-31, 2011

The Insider News, January 15-31, 2011

Christ Baptist Church – 1801Durand Avenue (414-217-5055)Pastor Daryn David Crenshaw Worship is every Sunday @9:30 AM, Join us at 1810Durand Avenue (Racine

Seventh Day Adventist Church Building).The Church where Christ is Center, TheCommunity is Cared for and The Word ofGod is made Clear. Follow us at: TheChristBC (At Twitter)for your daily dose of inspiration. Don’tfollow any man, Don’t Follow everyTradition,” Follow a Relevant Word.Christ Baptist Church is hosting a globalPrayer Conference every Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday @ 12 Noonand 10:30 PM-Central Time. If you needa blessing or someone to touch and agreewith you…then I recommend the prayerline. Call the Prayer ConferenceLine…712-432-0075, access code123447#. Send in prayer requests or tes-timonies to [email protected].

Christ Chapel BaptistChurch – 825 Park Avenue(633-6662) Pastor Mark D. Gates

Sunday, February 13 @ 1:30PM Celebrate Family &

Friend Day-Theme “On the Hill,”Matthew 5:14 Bring our families back toGod…Each One Bring One-A Family orA Friend…Enjoy Food, Fun &Fellowship

Faith Christian FellowshipChurch, 1200 Racine Street(637-6220)Bishop Sheila Neinhaus

Starting Monday, February14th - Sunday, February 20th, we themembers of Faith Christian Fellowshipcordially invite you to celebrateFounder's Week with us. Our guestspeakers are as follows:Monday, February 14th at 7pm,Life/Prayer ServiceTuesday, February 15th at 7pm, ApostleJames Logan, Christian Faith Fellowship,Zion, IllinoisWednesday, February 16th at 7pm,Apostle Hazel Thrower Wright, TheKing's Treasury, Milwaukee, WisconsinThursday, February 17th at 7pm, PastorElliott Cohen, Abundant Life ChristianCenter, Racine, WisconsinFriday, February 18th at 7pm, PastorJohn Thomas, Starlight OutreachMinistry, Racine, WisconsinSaturday, February 19th at 7pm we willhave a night of "Praise and Worship".Sunday, February 20th 10:30am, TBA,Faith Christian Fellowship, Racine,WisconsinSunday, February 20th at 5pm, ApostleColumbus Bland, Glory To GloryChristian Center, Chicago, Illinois

Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church-929State Street (637-1606)Pastor Keith T. Evans, PastorChurch Theme: Praying for the Harvest,

Matthew 9:30Saturday, February 12 @ 9:00AM-11:00 AM MissionMinistry Prayer BreakfastDonation AcceptedSunday, February 20 @ 10:45AM Black History Celebration

Greater St. Luke Baptist Church, 1326State Street (262-632-4146)Pastor Jesse Sumerall

Sunday, February 6 @ 3:30 PM True LifeSingers Annual Day Celebration..GuestGroups and Choirs InvitedSunday, February 13 @ 3:30 PM MotherBoard Ministry Worship Service

Saturday, February 26 @6:00 PM & Sunday February 27 @ 3:30PM Benefit Musical forRobert Camel. BrotherCamel has Hodgkin’sLymphoma and is on thewaiting list for a transplant.

Guests groups invited: Songs of Faith,Wrights Singers, Tru Light Singers,Christian Man Gospel Group, AbundantLife Church, Just 4, Full Gospel Churchand other guests. Special Note:Donations can be sent to Educator CreditUnion on his behalf.

Mt Sinai InstitutionalBaptist Church, - 2401Argonne Drive North Chicago,IL (847-689-4422) PastorGerald Wilcoxon

Wednesday February 6 - Mt.Men Fellowship (offsite)Saturday, February 12 - Married Couple'sMinistry Valentine's Day Breakfast (off-site)Sunday, February13 @ 11:00 AMValentine's Worship Service Wednesday, February 23 PastorWilcoxon's BirthdaySaturday, February 26 - Iron SharpensIron Conference (offsite)Sunday, February 27 @ 9:30 AM-Sunday School Black History Play Sunday, February 27 @ 11:00 AM-YouthSunday - All Youth Worship Service

New Omega Baptist Church– 5731 Northwestern Avenue(634-4655)Pastor Fred RichmondChurch Theme: “Team Work”There are no scheduled eventsfor the month of February.

St. Paul Baptist Church – 1120 CenterStreet (632-1467)Bishop L. L. Kirby2011 Church Theme: Saturday, February 5 @ 7:00 PM GospelMusic Workshop of America AnnualConcert Saturday, February 12 @ 6PM-9PM TheYouth Dept. will sponsor a Valentine’sDay Dance for ages 12-18 @ the MiracleCenter, 1100 Grand Avenue. Tickets are$3.00 in advance or $5.00 @ the door.School ID is required for all youth.Doors open @ 6 PM and will close @

7PM. For more info or to buy tickets call(847) 275-9937 or 880-2653.Monday, February 14 Happy ValentinesSunday, February 27 @ 4:00 PM FamousBlack Women’s Tea

United Faith MissionaryBaptist Church – 1327Blake Avenue (632-1327)Pastor Gregory DanielsChurch Theme: “Accept theLord builds the house theylabour in vain that build it.”Psalm 127:1a

Sunday, February 13 @ 3:00 PM AdultChoir Ministry presents Black HistoryCelebration. Theme: BlackAccomplishments in Racine. FeaturedSpeaker First Lady A. Daniels. Invitedguests are local youth choirs and singinggroups.

Minister Queen Hart queen@hartstepsmin-

istries.orgScriptural Wisdom

SpiritualPerformanceReview

2 Corinthians 13:5(NIV)

“Examine yourselves to see whether youare in the faith; test yourselves. Do younot realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test”?

Most companies perform AnnualPerformance Reviews with their employ-ees. These reviews help the employersand employees by helping them to seehow they have performed during the year.It also allows them to see what they needto work on in the future. PerformanceReviews have categories such as; meetsand exceeding expectations and needingimprovement. Give this some thought; ifGod were to serve notice on us that it istime for our Spiritual PerformanceReview, where would we rank? Wouldwe meet his expectations, exceed them,or would he send us away telling us thatwe need to improve? For some, a greatamount of satisfaction is felt for merelymeeting expectations. There is no driveor desire to go an extra mile. Althoughit’s good to meet expectations, when weare talking about the one who died so thatwe may live; I would think it’s only areasonable we’d want to exceed or try toexceed what is expected of us. The realityis that we will always need to improve aschildren of God. Each day brings newmercies and new opportunities. Examineyourselves; test yourselves to see whetheryou are in the faith. A SpiritualPerformance Review is always in order.Seek God daily inquiring of the areas thatneed improvements. Do not be contentwith being an average servant. We servean EXCELLENT God who deserves ourbest. In the natural there is usually an increaseof some sort for obtaining a favorableranking on performance reviews. It’s away of saying thank you for a job welldone. If an earthly employer would notice

and reward our good efforts; why woulda loving and all powerful God not do thesame and more for his children?

When was your last SpiritualPerformance Review? I challenge each ofyou to be the best you can be while serv-ing the best God there is to serve. Do notconcern yourself with what others may ormay not be doing. Just do you!

--

It is an Honor and it gives me greatpleasure to announce that, I have beenselected as Nominee for 2011 TheRhythm of Gospel Awards in two cate-gories; Traditional Female Vocalist of theYear and Praise and Worship Song of theYear, “There Is A God”. The Awards Ceremony will take placeSunday July 24th, 2011 at the CivicCenter in Memphis, Tenn.

I need your support to help me win thefinal Nominations. You can help by log-ging onto the website below and castyour votes. Voting continues throughMarch 2011. www.therhythmofgospelawards.com

I express special thanks to you for yoursupport in sowing a seed in LotHayMusic Ministry. Minister Frozene Lott Hayeswww.frozene.com

Submit your church’s calendarby the 15th of each month to MinisterDella Buckley @ [email protected] by calling 262-634-0428

Racine/Kenosha Shepard’s Guide

February Calendar of Events

Gospel Mission

Ministries

Sunday Service • 1:30 p.m.Wednesday • 7:15 p.m.

Friday Prayer and Praise Dance • 7:15 p.m.

Pastors Breon and Karen Norton

945 N. Memorial Drive • Racine, WI 53403

262.634.3156

Come see what’s goingon inside of the

YMCASunday Mornings

at 10:30 am!

We at NCCExercise our FAITH!

Pastor Tony & Sonya VisorWelcome You!

Phone: (262)632-9920Email: [email protected]

Mailing: P.O. Box 081512Racine, WI 53408-1512

Do you need Prayer?

Send prayer request to:[email protected]

Visit us on the web:www.nccracine.org

Sunday School - 8:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service - 10:00 a.m.

Sunday NA Meeting 6:30 PM

Community Dinner 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday: Midweek Worship 6:15 a.m.- 8:15 p.m.

Thursday NA Meeting 6:00 PM

Rev. Melvin Hargrove, Pastor

ZOE

OUTREACH

Ministries2130 Racine Street

Racine, WI

619-3027

825 21st Street • RacineSunday School Worship Service 9:00 a.m.

Mid Morning Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study 12:00 noon

Wednesday Dinner 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 6:30 p.m.

Saturday Morning Prayer 8:00 a.m.

Rev. Willie Riley, Senior Pastor262.633.4421

Christian

Tabernacle

Baptist Church

1201 Center Street • Racine, Wis. 53403

(262) 880-6521

Come Worship with us at:Sunday Worship Service

11:00 AMBible StudyWednesday

6:00 Pm - 8:00 PM

Greater St. Luke’sMissionary Baptist Church

Sunday School9:15 am

Sunday Worship 11:00 am

Bible Class (Wednesday) • 6 pm

Prayer Service -(Thursday) • 6 pm

929 State Street •

Racine, Wisconsin 53404

637-1606

1326 State Street 632-4146

Pastor Keith Evans

Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church

Pastor Jessie Summerall

Insider News

SHEPHERD’S GUIDE

“A God Glorifying, ChristCentered, Spirit-Filled

Church”

Sunday School • 9:00 AMSunday Worship Service • 10:45 AM

Bible Study (Wed.) • 6:00 PMWord of Life (Youth Program) (Thur..)

• 6:30 PM

SEArCHING TOGETHEr

MISSIONAry BAPTIST CHUrCH

Pastor Joseph L. & First

Lady Thomas

Joseph L. Thomas, PastorSunday School - 9:00 a.m.

- Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m.Tuesday Prayer Service - 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study - Tuesday 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

New Brighter Day Baptist Church1225 25th Ave., Kenosha, WI

262-552-8090

Christian Faith

Fellowship ChurchRacine, Wisconsin

Pastors Willie & Patri cia Scott

262-631-0196Worship with us at:

Sunday Worship Service • 10:00 AM

Sunday School • 9:00 AM

Wednesday Bible Study • 6:30 PM

Gilmore Middle School’s Auditorium

2330 Northwestern

Sunday School 9:15 AM

Sunday Worship Service

7:45 AM & 10:40 AM

Wednesday Prayer &

Bible Class

11:00 AM and 6:00 PM

Dinner - 5:30 PM

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church

1120 Grand Ave.Racine, Wis.

262-632-1467www.stpmbc.org

Bishop Lawrence L.

KIRBYSenior Pastor

Christ Centered • Kingdom Driven • Family Focused

210 7th St. - (262) 632-1201

Sunday School 9:30 AM

Sunday Worship 10:30 AMPrayer Service

(Wed.) 5:00 PMBible Class & Prayer

(Wed.) - 6:00 PM

262.635.1994

email:[email protected]

Rev. Buddy VinsonSenior Pastor

306-5th Street, Racine, WI

Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church

Come see what’s goingon inside of the

YMCASunday Mornings

at 10:30 am!

We at NCCExercise our FAITH!

Pastor Tony & Sonya VisorWelcome You!

Phone: (262)632-9920Email: [email protected]

Mailing: P.O. Box 081512Racine, WI 53408-1512

Do you need Prayer?

Send prayer request to:[email protected]

Visit us on the web:www.nccracine.org

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

An Ohio mother of twowas sentenced to 10 daysin jail and placed on threeyears probation after send-ing her kids to a schooldistrict in which they didnot live. Kelly Williams-Bolar was sentenced byJudge Patricia Cosgroveon Tuesday and will beginserving her sentenceimmediately.

The jury deliberated forseven hours and the court-room was packed as thesentence was handeddown. She was convictedon two counts of tampering with courtrecords after registering her two girls asliving with Williams Bolar's father whenthey actually lived with her. The familylived in the housing projects in Akron,Ohio, and the father's address was innearby Copley Township.

Additionally, Williams-Bolar's father,Edward L. Williams, was charged with afourth-degree felony of grand theft, inwhich he and his daughter are chargedwith defrauding the school system for twoyears of educational services for theirgirls. The court determined that sendingtheir children to the wrong school wasworth $30,500 in tuition.

When I read about this case, a few

thoughts went throughmy mind. First, it'sclear that the court istrying to make KellyWilliams-Bolar into anexample. Even thejudge in the case,Patricia Cosgrove, saidthat her sentence wasappropriate ''so that oth-ers who think theymight defraud theschool system perhapswill think twice.''

Secondly, it's inter-esting how courts findit convenient to makesomeone into an exam-ple when they happen

to be poor and black. I'd love to see howthey prosecute wealthy white women whocommit the same offense. Oh, I forgot:Most wealthy white women don't have tosend their kids to the schools located nearthe projects.

Third, I'm not sure why the court istreating this law-abiding mom like a thugwho ran into a building with a shotgunand robbed the district of $30,000.Instead, they could simply subtract theamount it costs for her kids to go to thesecond school from the amount thatwould be spent for them to attend the firstone. I'm sure the difference would still besubstantial, since American educationalapartheid dictates that schools in poorer

neighborhoods are of significantly lessquality than other schools. The racialdivisions within American schools arenothing less than a blatant and consistenthuman rights violation and should cer-tainly be treated as such.

A final interesting blow by JudgeCosgrove that reflects the experience ofmarginalized African Americans in thecriminal justice system relates toWilliams-Bolar's quest to obtain a teach-ing degree. The single mother was inschool studying to become a teacher sothat she could create a better life for hergirls. But that won't happen for her familynow, given that the judge has all but shutthe door on her chance to fulfill herdream:

''Because of the felony conviction, youwill not be allowed to get your teachingdegree under Ohio law as it stands today,''the judge said. ''The court's taking intoconsideration that is also a punishmentthat you will have to serve.''

This case is a textbook example ofeverything that remains racially wrongwith America's educational, economic andcriminal justice systems. Let's start fromthe top: Had Ms. Williams-Bolar beenwhite, she likely would never have beenprosecuted for this crime in the first place(I'd love for them to show me a whitewoman in that area who's gone to jail forthe same crime). She also is statisticallynot as likely to be living in a housingproject with the need to break an unjust

law in order to create a better life for herdaughters. Being black is also correlatedwith the fact that Williams-Bolar likelydidn't have the resources to hire the kindsof attorneys who could get her out of thismess (since the average black family'swealth is roughly 1/10 that of white fami-lies). Finally, economic inequality isimpactful here because that's the reasonthat Williams-Bolar's school district likelyhas fewer resources than the school shechose for her kids. In other words, blackpeople have been historically robbed ofour economic opportunities, leading to atwo-tiered reality that we are then impris-oned for attempting to alleviate. That, myfriends, is American Racism 101.

This case is also an example of howracial-inequality created during slaveryand Jim Crow continues to cripple ournation to this day. There is no logical rea-son on earth why this mother of twoshould be dehumanized by going to jailand be left permanently marginalizedfrom future economic and educationalopportunities. Even if you believe in thelaws that keep poor kids trapped in under-performing schools, the idea that thiswoman should be sent to jail for demand-ing educational access is simply ridicu-lous.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a social com-mentator, and a scholar in residence in theentrepreneurship and innovation unit atSyracuse University. Read his blog athttp://drboycespeaks.blogspot.com.


Spike Lee Urges More Black Men To Become TeachersFilmmaker Spike Lee joined Education

Secretary ArneDuncan in issuing acall Monday formore black men tobecome teachers,making their plea atthe country’s onlyall-male historicallyblack college.

The two tookpart in a town hallmeeting at Atlanta’sprivate Morehouse College just a weekafter President Barack Obama urged morepeople nationwide to become teachers.

Duncan told an audience that morethan 1 million educators are expected toretire in the coming decade and that fed-eral officials are hoping to harness thatopportunity to create a more diverseteaching work force, noting that less than2 percent of the nation’s 3 million teach-ers are black men.

“Everybody can’t be a business major,”Lee told the auditorium packed with malehigh school and college students. “Wehave to educate ourselves. We have toeducate our young black men.”

Lee, a Morehouse graduate, said hewas influenced most - outside of his ownfamily - by two of his Morehouse profes-sors. Both educators attended Monday’sgathering and were asked to stand up tobe honored.

Duncan used the occasion to promotethe federal TEACH campaign. The pro-gram was launched in the fall to persuademore minorities - particularly males - toenter education. The federal governmenthas launched the teach.gov website, a

one-stop-shop for anyone wanting toenter teaching, including professionalshoping to switch careers.

“If you want to make a difference inthe life of our nation, if you want tomake a difference in the life of a child,become a teacher,” Obama said in avideo address taped for Monday’s event.“Our country needs you.”

The Education Department alsorecorded TV commercials with OprahWinfrey, performer John Legend and oth-ers to talk about the influence of teacherson their lives. Duncan said he will visitLos Angeles next month, seeking torecruit more Hispanics for teaching.

Duncan said that while many schooldistricts are confronting layoffs and tightbudgets, there are many high-need areassuch as science, mathematics and specialeducation facing a teacher shortage.School districts nationwide hire between80,000 and 200,000 new teachers eachyear, even in tough economic times.

Duncan pointed to 8,500 unfilledteaching jobs listed on the teach.gov web-site as of Monday.

The government is working to helpstudents obtain more financial aid for col-lege and to create loan-forgiveness pro-grams once they graduate and commit toteaching, Duncan said. He urged privateorganizations to get involved in recruitingminorities to teaching and supportingthem once they’re in the classroom.

“The government can’t begin to do thisalone,” he said.

Social activist Jeff Johnson is joiningthe effort. The MSNBC contributor haslaunched a task force that aims at putting80,000 more black male teachers in class-

rooms across the country in the next fouryears.

Johnson told the audience that being ateacher isn’t considered “cool” in theblack community and that perceptionmust change.

“They look at business, engineeringand law as professions that will makethem better men, but the very professionthat determines what the next generationlooks like isn’t even on their radar,”Johnson said.

Spike Lee

Black Mother Sentenced To Prison For Sending Kids To White School District in Ohio

The Jane Cremer Foundation ispleased to offer a free community-wideeducational event for African-Americanwomen titled, “I’m Turning Into MyMother!” This event is open to the publicand will be held Tuesday, February 22,2011 5:45p.m. to 9:00 p.m.(presentationbegins at 6:15 p.m.) at Gateway TechnicalCollege in the Madrigrano Auditorium.

Please join, Mistress of Ceremonies,Janice Wilcoxon, Andrea Guszkowski,Guest Speaker and Jammie Bridges,Breast Cancer Survivor for this educa-tional and motivational event.

Motivational Speaker andPhilanthropist, Janice Wilcoxon has beenthe First Lady of the Mt. SinaiInstitutional Baptist Church for the pastfifteen years. A devoted wife, mother ofthree lovely daughters and grandmotherof five granddaughters and one grandson,Janice lives a life dedicated to the church.

Guest Speaker, Andrea Guszkowskiearned her undergraduate degrees at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee inboth English and Biology and her mas-ter’s degree in Medical Genetics at theUniversity of Cincinnati, Ohio. AtAurora Health Care, Guszkowski pro-vides prenatal and cancer genetic coun-seling services in perinatal assessmentand oncology clinics. She assists patients

and families in understanding and adapt-ing to the medical, psychological andhereditary implications of disease by pro-viding information and support to indi-viduals who may be at risk. AndreaGuszkowski will discuss the following:

• What role genetics and familyhistory play in the road to good health;and

• What can individuals do to usethis information to benefit themselves andtheir families.

Breast Cancer Survivor JammieBridges will bring an inspiring message.Jammie Bridges’ journey has been one ofdevastation, joy, and strength. She wasdiagnosed with stage three breast cancerat age 26. Her inspiring messageincludes overcoming, surviving andbecoming empowered to help and teachwomen all over the world.

The Jane Cremer Foundation is dedi-cated to educating and empoweringwomen to be proactive in the prevention,diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The program is free to all participants,but reservations are required as seating islimited.

To register please call (262) 605-6761or visit our website at www.janecremer-foundation.org.

FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION EVENT

FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN ENTITLED

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