(Photo by Sue Vliet)
Beginning with haircuts at Running Rebels, 1300 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., hundreds of black young people spent a day interacting with older mentors. The group took official photos at the Milwaukee Art Museum and dined at the Chic Café, where they were entertained by Cigarette Break featuring Joe Jordan and Adi Amour, and enjoyed a special performance by Lil Vic. The event was organized by Andre Lee Ellis as part of the “We Got This” campaign, whose mission is to “incorporate the ‘neighbor’ back into our ‘hoods’ and recreate a real sense of neighborhood,” according to the group’s website.
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Please, I need the organizer(s) of this event to get in touch with me. I am in the process of writing a book about the successes of African-American men between the ages of 18 – 35. I have created an online survey to collect data from the young men in this category. You may call me at 732-539-0547 or send me an e-mail at sbenitab@gmail.com.
Sharon Benjamin
732-539-0547
sbenitab@gmail.com
so you celebrate the neighborhood by parading outside of it?
When I first noted the striking cover photo of this event in the community newspaper that is distributed in local groceries, I was a little put-off because it seemed a bit threatening, reminiscent of the black power movement. However, once you notice the kids and the smiling faces, it changes the tone, and I am coming to see this event in the same way I see other ethnic celebrations. For example, the Scots have their kilts, the Irish their shamrocks and their green, etc…. It seems like this is the dream goal of the African American community, to be treated just like any other ethnic group.