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Poverty, Misery, and Death: What the new American exceptionalism means during a pandemic

Poverty, Misery, and Death: What the new American exceptionalism means during a pandemic

Posted by | May 22, 2020 |

No other nation has endured as much death from COVID-19 nor nearly as a high a death rate as has the United States. With 4.25% of the world population, America has the tragic distinction of accounting for about 30% of pandemic deaths so far. And it is the only advanced nation where the death rate is still climbing. Three thousand deaths per day are anticipated by June 1. No other nation has loosened lockdowns and other social-distancing measures while deaths are increasing, as the US is now doing. No other advanced nation was as unprepared for the pandemic as...

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Us vs. Them: The pandemic has transitioned from public health crisis to partisan quarrel

Us vs. Them: The pandemic has transitioned from public health crisis to partisan quarrel

Posted by | May 20, 2020 |

As the pandemic moves from public health crisis to partisan flashpoint, the debate over the coronavirus response in the United States is becoming increasingly nasty and, in some cases, violent. It is not just the clusters of gun-toting protesters at state capitols. In sporadic incidents across the country, disputes over emergency measures have turned into shootings, fistfights and beatings. Stories abound of intimidation over masking. And armed right-wing groups have threatened contact tracers and people who they say “snitch” on neighbors and businesses violating health orders. Researchers who study the links between polarization and violence stress that these incidents...

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The Myth of Anti-Whiteness: When telling the truth is mischaracterized as attacking whites

The Myth of Anti-Whiteness: When telling the truth is mischaracterized as attacking whites

Posted by | May 18, 2020 |

“Institutional racism insidiously cloaks racial discrimination in the innocence of the accidental.” – Robert B. Baker, PhD “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” – James Baldwin “From that moment on, I was no longer a liberal, a believer in the self-correcting character of American democracy. I was a radical, believing that something fundamental was wrong in this country–not just the existence of poverty amidst great wealth, not just the horrible treatment of black people, but something rotten at the root.”...

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Panoramic mural stretching the length of MacArthur Square to join map of downtown art locations

Panoramic mural stretching the length of MacArthur Square to join map of downtown art locations

Posted by | May 15, 2020 |

Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 and the Downtown Placemaking Task Force are continuing to make their mark throughout downtown Milwaukee. Earlier this year, the south-facing façade of the 2nd Street skywalk, between Wisconsin Avenue and Michigan Street, was announced as a new community canvas. Now the group is unveiling plans for a panoramic portrait at MacArthur Square, in partnership with the City of Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works. The announcement comes as Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 completes a new, interactive Public Art map highlighting over 140 monuments, sculptures and murals throughout downtown Milwaukee and nearby neighborhoods. “Public Art is a...

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Reggie Jackson: From “Service workers” to “Essential workers” and the sad irony for poorly paid Americans

Reggie Jackson: From “Service workers” to “Essential workers” and the sad irony for poorly paid Americans

Posted by | May 14, 2020 |

“Senator Mitt Romney proposed a hazard pay raise of up to $12 an hour for essential workers such as health-care and grocery store employees facing greater risks during the coronavirus pandemic.” “15 gifts to give essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic” – USA Today As I see ads on TV celebrating our “essential workers” I’m somewhat amused. Amused not because they are funny, but amused because four months ago these workers were for the most part hidden in plain sight. They are the masses that keep our economy churning, many of them for poverty wages. In a way it...

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Mayor Tom Barrett says Milwaukee’s Stay at Home order remains in place to keep public safe

Mayor Tom Barrett says Milwaukee’s Stay at Home order remains in place to keep public safe

Posted by | May 14, 2020 |

After the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its controversial and reckless decision to overturn the state’s “Safer at Home” order on May 13, the Stay at Home order for the City of Milwaukee will remain in place. “Our next step is to look at what the Wisconsin Supreme Court allows us to do at the local level, because we still have a lot of cases here,” said Mayor Barrett. “I would love us to be out of this, but we’re not out of this, and we’re going to have to take some action at the local level if the state...

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Knezelism