Laura's Corner

EUGENE KANE

Posted by Laura Beyer on Oct. 9, 2008

First and foremost, I want to make it very clear, I am not a fan of Eugene Kane.  He appears to me to be a very angry person, continually expressing his viewpoint against certain individuals.  Although some of us have written about race in the past, it seems like his negative posts are allowed, even encouraged at times. 

With that said, I "accidentally" came across an article titled "White gangs don't scare up e-mails, calls" which was written by you-know-who.  (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=802328)  Part of the article states:  "I braced myself for the usual torrent of commentary from those people who send messages whenever stories like the “chicken grease trial” of black drug dealers or the assorted crackdowns on violent street gangs by Milwaukee police or any random act of violence by black people hit the headlines.  But after hearing about the culmination of a 20-month investigation by Milwaukee police, state and federal agents that resulted in numerous charges against 16 people affiliated with the so-called (name deleted) gang, I wondered why my usual suspects were missing in action."

I believe I have a pretty solid answer to his inquiry.  I recall, even as a young girl, I was aware of gangs in the central city.  Within the schools I attended, which were primarily caucasian, we had cliques, not gangs.  Cliques consisted of folks who were popular, athletic, smart, artsy, musical or pushed the envelope.  I do recall a few fights, but none ever included weapons, especially guns.  These fights were held after school, about a block or so away.  After a few punches, others intervened or one of the assailants ran away with his or her tail between their legs.   Sure, we had students who smoked, but that was on their own time or behind school in the designated smoking area.  

Even today, I am sure within the high school I attended, there are fights.  I am 100% certain that there are still designated smoking areas, but I still never hear of gangs within the schools of West Allis, New Berlin, Greenfield, Greendale and so on.   Am I saying that within the walls of these high schools that they are free of crime and illegal substances?  Of course not!  But, regardless of what anyone says, I know for sure that the students within these schools will tell you that they feel safe more often than not. 

Mr. Kane, do you read the paper or listen to the news?  Do you hear of any bus drivers on the Highway100 or Oklahoma Avenue buses being attacked?  Have you heard of any shootings recently which have occurred on the Southwest side of Milwaukee?  Besides the one white gang in the news, how many others can you count on one hand within the cities of Milwaukee, West Allis, Cudahy, Oak Creek, Greendale, Greenfield or any other city within Milwaukee County?   Don't get me wrong, what the white gang in your article did was dead wrong.  I do not agree with it, regardless of color.  But, I believe it's time you wake up and smell the coffee.

Maybe it's time we get real about the areas of the city where the most vicious crimes occur.  Sure, every time I hear about a shooting, it is always within the same vicinity.  How about a gang individuals attacking one person leaving that guy or girl for dead?  Or, the group of men who gang raped the 11 year old girl on her way home?  The severity of the crime is what makes it so central to that particular area.  Now, you are probably asking, do YOU, Laura, read the paper or watch the news?  Of course I read the newspaper but rarely watch the news.  I like to sleep at night.  Yes, within the cities of West Allis, Greendale, etc, I know there are crimes.  I read about thefts, drugs, DUI's and domestic violence.  I in no way shape or form wish to make light of these circumstances.  Yet, I have never heard of a gang of individuals within West Allis, Greendale, etc committing the types of crimes listed in the first couple of sentences in this particular paragraph. 

I don't know about you, but I like the area I live.  But, as crime continues to grow in certain areas, some of those folks move out to areas similar to the one I reside.   We all know birds of a feather flock together.  We all know Milwaukee is the most segregated area probably in the Universe, so what makes any one of us think that we will ever reside peacefully besides one another?  The only time white, black and hispanic folks will live side by side is if they are multi-millionaires and are able to afford luxurious homes.  Until then, when one race moves in, another will move out.  

We can call this action prejudice, or we can call it like it is.  Quality of life.  It is time we as individuals come out of our shells and get honest about how we really feel.  I know how I feel, and I am not afraid to say it.  I want to live in an area where I can walk down my street at night.  I want to feel safe.  I want to reside side by side with others who respect one another.  I don't want to have to look over my shoulder every time I leave the house to pick up my daughter from work.   I want to live in an area where folks care about each other.  If I see trouble, of course I will take action, but on my block, trouble might be a neighborhood cat out scouting for mice.  I want my daughters to be able to walk to the corner store without getting attacked.  I want them to ride the bus without fear.  Most important, I do believe in peace and harmony amongst my neighbors.  We may not all be best friends, but for the most part, we still wave and say hello to one another. 

So, Mr. Kane, you tell me, which neighborhood do you reside?  Do you live within an area where you feel safe day or night?  Or, do you live on a street where shootings, rape and gang attacks against innocent persons happen on a daily basis?  I would like to know...

I say everyone not only stops reading his articles, but if you have comments, put them below my blog.  Each one of us has the right to express themselves.  Why should we be made to feel anti-others because we simply express our concern and fear about crime?  I say instead of writing Mr. Kane, we should contact Sheriff David Clarke to question his solutions to the ever growing crime within Milwaukee County.  I say it's time we take a stand and make a statement about how we feel without worrying about backlash. This blog is by no means meant to promote hate.  More than anything, I would like for us to come together to promote peace within our own neighborhoods so that we can continue to live amongst one another.  I am politely requesting that we refrain from turning this into an attack against those of other races and instead focus on coming up with ideas and solutions.

So, folks, how do you keep your own neighborhoods safe?  What suggestions do you have or what would you like to see implemented for your quality of life?  What is something you would change and how do you plan on making it happen?  

I look forward to your comments, ideas and suggestions...