Jamaal E. Smith, a community activist and chair of the education committee at the Milwaukee branch of the NAACP, notes that violence will increase until more jobs are available for city residents.
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service invites community members to submit opinion pieces of 500-800 words on topics of interest to central city Milwaukee. To send a submission for consideration, please email info@milwaukeenns.org. The views expressed are solely those of the authors.
Fight stigma against people with mental illness
Howard Garber, president of the Milwaukee Center for Independence, explains that mental illness is a disease, like asthma or cancer.
Dire effects of poor education system
Della Wells, an artist and community activist, argues that as a society we must invest in our children’s education.
The fallacy of black-on-black crime
Walter Bond, a managing director with Teach For America Milwaukee, argues that the discussion of black-on-black crime is a red herring, distracting from the issue of police killings of unarmed black men.
Addressing infant mortality in Milwaukee
Raina J. Johnson, a freelance writer, discusses the need to improve birth outcomes for black babies in Milwaukee.
Since when did our commitment become conditional?
Jamaal E. Smith, a community activist and chair of the education committee at the Milwaukee branch of the NAACP, reflects on the different reaction in the black community to black-on-black crime compared to white-on-black crime.
A streetcar—more or less desired
Denise Wooten, president of Borchert Field C.A.R.E.S., describes her experience at a recent community meeting about the proposed Milwaukee streetcar project. An old proverb states that silence is golden. You can be surprised with what you might learn by not saying a single word. Arriving first to any event certainly has its advantages and being […]
The importance of BIDs to the city’s economy
Keith Stanley, executive director of Avenues West Association/BID #10, explains the importance of business improvement districts (BIDs) to the city’s growth and development.
Why a walk in the park matters in Milwaukee
Glenna Holstein, branch manager of the Menomonee Valley Urban Ecology Center, shares a personal reflection on her environmental education work in a city facing many challenges.
A Milwaukee Christmas tale
Megan Westra, a pastor at Transformation City Church and North Side resident, pauses amid the holiday bustle and a string of violent outbreaks to see the good in her community.