(Photo by Wes Tank)
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Malik Pitchford, a Milwaukee native, studies political science and African & black diaspora studies at DePaul University. In this piece, he discusses the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s recent overturn of Gov. Tony Evers’ “Safer at Home” order and its disproportionate effect on Milwaukee’s black population.
We are met with an interesting ultimatum: Die at home or go to work and die for our bosses.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ orders for most of the state’s business operations to be halted has been terminated by the state Supreme Court. This comes as no surprise, after “astro-turfed” anti-quarantine demonstrations popped up across America, including in Brookfield.
The part-manufactured, part-genuine outrage from those who have not been able to go to nonessential businesses, coupled with a Republican-led lawsuit against members of the state Department of Health Services is the catalyst for the court’s 4–3 ruling.
Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald issued a joint statement following the charges against Evers and the health department:
The public outcry over the Safer at Home order continues to increase as positive COVID cases decrease or remain flat. There’s immense frustration regarding the extension, as it goes beyond the executive branch’s statutory powers. Wisconsinites are forced to sit by with no voice in the process. Other Midwestern states with more confirmed cases, like Ohio, have set firm dates to begin a phased reopening far earlier than the Evers administration.
The governor has denied the people a voice through this unprecedented administrative overreach. Unfortunately, that leaves the legislature no choice but to ask the Supreme Court to rein in this obvious abuse of power. Wisconsinites deserve certainty, transparency, and a plan to end the constant stream of executive orders that are eroding both the economy and their liberty even as the state is clearly seeing a decline in COVID infections.
We have seen calls for post-quarantine economic and social reconstruction across America and they all share some of the same glaring paradoxes.
They claim that the “Safer at Home” orders are putting liberties and the economy in the crossfire even though COVID-19 infections are declining. If this is true, it must be attributed to strict regulations of public interactions with each other and businesses. If COVID-19 infections are declining, why would we end the very methods used to stop the spread of the virus? Of course, the Republican legislators understand this. They simply do not care.
A study conducted in April by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee sheds some light on the disproportionate effect that the virus has on Milwaukee communities. The report states:
As of April 8, nearly twice the number of African American county residents as whites had tested positive for COVID-19. African Americans represent 27 percent of the county’s population, but they account for 45 percent of confirmed cases. More disturbing still, of the 67 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Milwaukee County as of April 8, 46 of the victims were black. The disproportionate toll that the coronavirus is taking on African Americans — both deaths and confirmed cases — has been reported in other cities with large black populations, including Detroit, New Orleans, New York City, Boston, and Chicago.
The report offers some grim conclusions based on the data its researchers collected.
Areas that are predominantly white and higher income are reporting fewer cases and very small numbers of virus clusters. Most important, African Americans who have contracted the virus are developing life-threatening complications at a rate much higher than whites.
The report continues to say that availability of tests, reporting of new virus related findings, and access to affordable, or better — free health care, safe work environments and sick leave without the need of a doctor’s note/proof of illness for employees is necessary to ensure a healthy Milwaukee. Lastly:
Taking these steps will help to save lives and reduce disparities that we are seeing now in the spread of the coronavirus in Milwaukee County. It will not, however, address the structural inequalities that gave rise to this crisis in the first place. The early stages of this pandemic have laid bare these inequalities for all to see. It is a good time to reflect on racial and economic disparities in Milwaukee more generally, what perpetuates them, and what might be done in the aftermath of this crisis to begin building a more just community.
The Republican duo claimed that the “Safer at Home” orders are an abuse of power. Who should decide that the health of the public is of utmost importance? What have Republicans done to address the lack of resources for black people in Milwaukee that has resulted in a disproportionate amount of contractions of and death as a result of the virus?
I think I speak for most Wisconsinites when I say that I am not a public health expert. We individually cannot know what the safest practices for an entire state are. In order to maintain a functioning republic, there are some things that should not rest on public majority opinion.
The continued monitoring and reporting by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has been an essential tool for understanding the virus and shaping policy in order to best respond to it. The fact that state Republicans are in a rush to “open up Wisconsin” is not because they personally want to get back to work.
Rather, they would like to see the unemployment check recipients and stimulus check beneficiaries not hold the national government responsible for a low quality of life. The government has shown many times throughout the virus to have funds for big businesses, but when it comes to protecting the people working tirelessly for these businesses, our cries fall on deaf ears. What’s more, forcing employees to work will not necessarily force consumers to follow suit.
We are encouraged to leave the safety of our homes  —  some who never had that safety — and go to work in order to make the wages for our bosses and buy products in order to fund others.
The behavior of state and national government officials is essentially telling black and brown people that our lives are expendable.
When will our health be more important than corporate profit?
Milwaukee should be opened up ,so businesses in Milwaukee can survive ,it is as if they want to hold them hostage ,that is a terrible disservice to the people of Milwaukee.
Outstanding article. It is my hope that people choose health and safety. Your article is on point, and says everything I was thinking. I hope others use your article as a reflection on what is really happening in Milwaukee
At what cost Ivon?
Republicans and many democrats say that business and the private profits for bosses is more important than human life and our public health.
The COVID-19 crisis has further exposed the structural iniquity of the capitalist mode of production – which prioritizes profits over human life and an environmental stable world.
We must continue to organize our workplaces and our communities for the benefit of everyone – we must continue to organize against racism, sexism and xenophobia – fight for a better life for ALL not a handful of elites. A new world is possible.
Great article – thank you.
Among the people who protested Governor Ever’s order at the Capitol and elsewhere in the country, there was this sentiment of letting the weak people die without sacrificing the economy.
With the PPP loan and other safety nets that larger Milwaukee business are able to receive, I say let the businesses die without sacrificing the population.
There will be financial backing for both large corporations and mid-sized companies coming through the pipeline but we know there will be little to nothing put in place to really sustain individuals who are struggling to meet their basic needs as time goes on.
It’s really tough to suggest letting business fall by the wayside particularly because Milwaukee boasts so many Black-owned businesses that we’d all like to see weather this storm, but we actually need the owners to come out of this alive in order to rebuild our economy, first and foremost.
We are all we’ve got.
Well said!!! Thank you for your thoughts on this topic.
Have they no conscience what-so-ever? I can see a new wave of crushing statistics in the making. PLEASE Wisconsin! We have GOT to out do the gerrymandered maps and kick these Republicans to the curb once and FOR ALL! It’s going to take EVERY Democrat in the state to show up. Get your ducks in a row…don’t let them win!
No. Republicans (and many democrats) only care about maintaining the status quo – which means more money to wealthy businesses and no help for the people.
You ask what has the Republicans done to address the lack of resources for the black community in Milwaukee that has resulted in deaths. Perhaps it’s the individual life style of the people having contacted the corona virus. How many had underlining conditions which resulted in the deaths? How many deaths are truly caused only from the corona virus? If you also look at the cities mentioned they are all democratic mayors for decades. What has the democrats done for the black community’s? Wake up people. They only want your vote “again” in November. Then all returns to the same promises till next voting season. Please don’t blame the problems on the Republicans. The governor was wrong and the Supreme Court stated so. He didn’t even send his Attorney General to present the case to the court!!!
Or perhaps it’s that these people couldn’t stay at home because to their jobs were actually deemed essential. There has been no shortage of people demanding packages from large retailers, hanging out at home improvement and grocery stores, and not learning how to cook and take care of themselves while these people who you ASSUME are living some “lifestyle” that seems them worthy of this virus must risk their life everyday to keep the arrogant tools who demand a haircut and beer satisfied. Yes, republicants will still be the blame for this. The mayor of this democratic city has actually worked to out safer at home measures in place while these ivory tower republicants would rather stop believing a virus exists because they are tired of sitting on their couch. November can’t come fast enough.
Thank you!!! You took the words right out of my mouth. Wisconsin does not care about people of color and shows every day that we are expendable for the benefit of white people. I pray people stay closed nor go out. It is time that we protect ourselves and our our safety first over the greed of Wisconsin and the nonessential businesses they want us to open and operate for their selfish benefits
This is exactly what is happening in Milwaukee.
Mr Pitchford, a excellent Article that you wrote straight from your heart , and with proof . A affluent Populant has access to Excellent health care and a Profession that gives the employee to work at HOME during this Public Health Emergency . The people of the North Side of Milwaukee Do not have that option . Their Jobs such as Service Workers , Grocery store workers, Mail Carriers , Health care workers , Cleaners Postal Workers and Home Care attendent and Transit Workers are essential Workers and puts them at risk to contact COVID . These BRAVE and HEROIC Workers Deserve my Respect and Admiration . These Workers DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION of WORK AT HOME if they CONTACT the DREADED COVID . STAY SAFE My Fellow Milwaukee’s .
A much needed piece on yet another form of racial injustice in our community!
Thank you for your thought provoking article. Unfortunately, it affirms many of my own disappointing observations.
Republican governors are hanging out “open for business” signs on their states just in time for November’s presidential election. This whole push to “reopen America” is nothing more than one big ad campaign to sell Trump’s political agenda.
Accepting the disproportionate loss of African American lives is the Republican version of Black Friday.
Ultimately, we are each responsible for our own health, safety, and well being. If you must go to work, do so with an abundance of caution. Also, don’t support businesses that open outside the CDC’s guidelines.