robinr's Blog

Youth Violence and ways to stop it. That was the topic of a meeting hosted by the Clergy Coalition for Peace last week. It was also an example of why people in positions of authority often do not accept invitations to townhall meetings. Of the couple hundred people in attendance, all it took was a half dozen disruptive individuals to create chaos and nearly destroy the agenda.

With trauma and violence devastating so many neighborhoods, it is understandable that emotions run high on this subject. But that does not explain the motives of people who show up only to engage in combat with people who are committed to creating strong families and safe neighborhoods. Shouting down the speakers and demanding the floor, insulting the pastors and even hollering while a panel of young people tried to talk about their experiences. It was frustrating and sad.

I'm told by other reporters that this same group shows up at many press events, particularly those involving the African American community. I wonder now if they should have been removed early on (they were rude from the start, but the whole point of a "townhall" meeting is that it is open to all interested citizens. Unfortunately, these citizens only seemed interested in preventing everyone else from meeting.

Great thanks to the overwhelming majority who attended with sincere interest in exchanging ideas, insight and action.  And a promise, more to come ...

Has people searching for the "why"  and the "how" to stop it.  As we demand a police response and a crack down on firearms, let's stretch our view just a bit.

I thought there would be a backlash when the Chicago Urban League President announced last year that agency was getting out of the social service business after 91 years serving the African American community. Cheryle Jackson tells us she was also braced for some criticism of the new mission of economic empowerment. Instead, she says people were already there ... already wanting a new type of assistance, help in helping themselves. PROJECT NEXT is turning Black owned businesses into bigger, better, more profitable economic engines. Neighborhoods with viable businesses have pride, job chances and role models. Education improves, crime goes down. Is it possible that the bottom line is more important than a police presence or gun control? Every single time I have been covering a story or visiting a school or just visiting friends in a tough neighborhood --and that's been alot of times over the last 25 years -- someone (or two or three) asks me if "they got any jobs down there at Fox?" Of course thats not research, just anecdotal. I also get asked on dates most times I'm in the neighborhoods and I've had a few marriage proposals on the spot as well. But, seriously, seeing businesses thriving, maybe getting a summer job in one, spending your money in your own community ... joining a gang may not be so appealing. Unfortunately, the Urban League plan won't be an overnight solution. You can't pass a new law or beef up patrols to achieve it. But how can we expect a complex, generational tragedy to have a quick fix? Economic power could be the most effective social service yet.

I am taking the leap into a dangerous place ... that would be anywhere near the subject of Trinity United Church of Christ Senior Pastor Jeremiah Wright. But maybe it's right where we need to dwell for a bit. The last few weeks have proven just how painful are the wounds exposed by the dissection of some of Rev. Wright's sermons. The idea of plucking portions of sermons is not something I am completely comfortable with -- nothing is more of a story dependent upon all it's parts than a sermon! However, Rev. Wright is not the first speaker or author to suffer from outside (and, some argue, prejudicial) editing.

It does seem telling that thousands of people have been positively moved by his words over the decades. How does he win the praise and support of the common folk on the south side as well as some of the most prominent and influential names and entities in the country, IF he is the racist, hate-mongering, divisive individual described by some in recent weeks? Are all those people blind or spellbound upon entering the church? Did it take the insightful guidance of tv commentators to point out the true nature of a man who's been involved with so many for so long?

I have no way of knowing what Senator Barack Obama did or did not personally hear Pastor Wright say. I know that in the several dozen times I have been in a pew at Trinity over the past 20 plus years, I never heard anything I would describe as hateful. I recall passion, humor, cutting sarcasm, ancient as well as modern historical perspective, hip references, melodies, and always, always the underlying, loving message of every person's God-given ability to overcome all obstacles, including those of our own making. The empowerment theme is one of the pillars of every Black Church I've ever been inside. For the record, I am not a regular church-going person. However, I have noticed there is a distinct difference between African American congregations and the traditions of worship in other communities.

The history of the Black Church in America, like the rest of our history in this country, shapes us differently. And if this controversy has a positive result, maybe it is the exposure of our difficulty even talking about those differences. It is forcing conversations that are revealing long held misunderstandings, fears and barriers to true fellowship with people of difference backgrounds. Have you found yourself in debate over the words of Rev. Wright? Have you learned anything about the way people you thought you knew are reacting?

Trinity Church of Christ has asked that their sanctuary be respected as a sacred place of worship. The members and leaders would like reporters to stop showing up to hang on every word in order to spin them into something newsworthy. They realize it is a public place of worship and that any reporter who does not have a recognizable face can easily slip in, so this request depends on the honor system. So, identify yourself and be barred from entry - - maybe miss a juicy quote from the pulpit even if Pastor Wright is not the speaker? Or, go "under-cover" and spy from the pews in order to make sure our viewers/readers are "served"? What are journalists to do, those of us who consider truth and integrity the foundation of credibility? And yes, we do try to uphold those values - reporters must focus on what we know more than what we think ... but we do have to think.

The weekend on Fox Sunday Morning at, we'll share some of what we've been thinking and debating regarding the Reverend Wright drama.  Join me, Byron Harlan, Darlene Hill, Craig Wall and hosts Jack Conaty and Dane Placko Sunday at 8am.  If you have a question for us, post it here.

Driving a snow plow in the Chicago area this year had to be a high pressure job! "Everybody's sick of all this snow ... except for the snowplow guys ... they're so happy this winter they don't know what do to with themselves" -- that from our Chief Meteorologist Amy Freeze. Got me thinking about the 'snowplow guys'. Actually, they've crossed my mind quite a bit over the last few months. I've been hailing them as heroes. I've been worried about their lack of rest. I have been trying not to take them for granted. I even gave a corny "thumbs up" to a plow driver who happened to delay my progress on a narrow side street the day after the last big snowfall -- of course I was in a hurry, but that shortcut street would not even be an option without him! He was backing up in the center of a tiny intersection to make a tight turn and scrape as close to the curb as possible -- quite an excercise in precision steering. I'm just wondering, are they really happiest when we have these old-fashioned snowed in winters? If so, is it all about the over time pay? Or, is pride also in play? Just a thought as we finally (hopefully) have the worst behind us!

          I cannot believe we can't find a loophole in the First Amendment to drop this crazy website into! I am a staunch supporter of protected speech, but anonymous authors are hardly standing up to be protected, are they? They remain hidden behind their words which may or may not be true, while the subjects of their writings are named and attached to whatever behavior, situation, quotes, medical conditions, etc. that the writer chooses.  This is the great failing of cyber communication: do you really know who's talking? It really matters when they are talking about real people!

     When websites like this Juicy Campus allow no-names to call names and ruin reputations, I don't find it juicy .... how about slimy?

Bill Clinton. We've been calling him that for years. He's apparently been hearing it. Because he has approached his campaign against Barack Obama in the manner of a person who has no fears of being misunderstood and slapped with a race card violation . Now he is accused of just such an offense. Maybe he got too familiar and forgot to respect the painful lens through which African Americans often hear criticism. Or maybe he knew he was flirting with danger, but felt he was well enough loved to be given a pass. Or, and this is radical, maybe he was battling an opponent without regard to ethnicity , not as a Black contender around whom he must tread carefully so as not to stir up any thoughts of race. But surely Bill Clinton is savvy enough to realize that the race card is always hovering above the table, if not actually in play. Perhaps it was a calculated tip of the hand to remind voters of the pitfalls that await a Black candidate, if not to remind them that Obama is African American. Whatever his intentions, Bill Clinton has been branded as the campaign criminal who "injected Race into the race" , so everthing he says and does might now be judged with a pre-concieved bias instead of on it's merits. Maybe he really is Black.

Since perfection is proving to be so illusive, I'm going to try to celebrate every little blessing.  It 's so easy to fall into a habit of complaint and discontent, might it be harder but more rewarding to try to find the good in the day?  When my son forgets to take out the trash (does he ever remember on his own?), I'll hope he at least fed the dog.  If he didn't (quite possible), I'll be glad the dog didn't get into the trash.   I can be glad to have a (forgetful) son and a (hungry) dog.  If I really work at it, I can spend hours thinking of all the reasons to be glad.   It sounds a bit trite, especially if you are coping with unbearable hardships, loss and need.  Hopefully practicing this affirmative action helps prepare for the inevitable really rough times.    

I've made many other, much more specific New Year's Resolutions in years past.  I've had pretty good success (the smoking is still iffy .. but I'm climbing back on the wagon and this January 1st ban in the city should help).  This rather vague attitude adjustment might be something I could pledge now, yet no one would exactly know if I kept the resolve ... finding the bright side already!

Happy New Year to you and yours~ 

If you have a little space on your Christmas shopping list ..

Some teenaged girls who are "court-involved" in Cook County are fortunate enough to be taking part in some alternative sentencing programs. Either on probation or living in a court-supervised group home, most do not have the family support to create much of a Christmas. Many of the caring adults who work at Juvenile Court and the Juvenile Probation Department reach into their own pockets so that these young women have something new for the holidays. If you would like to help ... coats, shirts, sweaters, anything cute that a teenaged girl would like (by the way, I'm told white and beige are good colors because they carry no gang recognition!). Bathrobes, slippers, shower and bath goodies are also known to bring big smiles. Contact Ginny Caufield in the Department of Juvenile Probation 312 433-6627. Thanks!

Hi! I hope everyone is enjoying the best aspects of this festive season ... focusing on family, friends and the spirit of giving. If GIFTING is part of your holiday tradition, I bet you also like to show generosity to people you don't even know. Since people who need things know where to find me, I recieve a lot of requests for help. How about I share some of the specific "wishes" with you? While you're shopping for the folks on your list, you may come across just the thing that will make all the difference for people not fortunate enough to join the shopping rush.

FIRST WISH:

WHO NEEDS IT?

happy shopping!

CLARA'S HOUSE SHELTER, C/O West Englewood United Organization, 1656 West 63rd St., Chicago, IL 60630 (773)778-2811SOCKS, UNDER-GARMENTS, WARM HATS, GLOVES, COATS, SCARVES

...

but working their way out of it, about 50 teenage girls on probation in Cook County giving their guests and mentors such earnest attention last weekend! The conference on careers introduced them to the life and style they can still attain if they make the right moves -- away from the poor choices that landed them in front of a judge! Saturday they sat with judges, and state's attorneys, and probation officers and other staff of the Cook County Juvenile Justice Center ... each devoting some of their own time to give a boost to these young ladies' chances at success. The girls themselves chose to attend, not just biding their time under the courts' supervision, but using the time and opportunities to learn. The innovative GIRLS2WOMEN program is getting lots of attention as we try to find better ways to achieve better outcomes.  A delegation of juvenile court officials from San Francisco was on hand to observe the Cook County model. Keep in mind that the "lock-up" (the detention center) here is the largest facility of it's kind in the nation, yet it is chronically over-crowded and criticized. It seems a far better option, especially with the likes of those poised and attentive ladies I met this weekend, to try instead to transform girls with a past into women with a future

 

     In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I will try to wear pink everynight of October. It's just a way to remind you to remind yourself AND all the women you know that early diagnosis turns a deadly disease into a curable condition.

     I got my mammogram last month. I know women who make a day of it: a slightly uncomfortable squeeze between the plates, followed by shopping, lunch, maybe a movie. Plan about 6 months in advance so you can get the appointment times you want together. Don't let it slip your mind while you are taking care of everyone else. When you see me on Fox News at 9 Halloween night looking like a fashion fool in orange AND pink -- don't forget why!

           Time to walk The Walk! Saturday morning I am stepping off in my very first AIDS RUN/WALK. Notice I am walking for sure -- no running for me. Not only is this my first AIDS Walk, it is the first time I have ever joined one of these fundraising excercise fests. I have sponsored and donated to countless walkers and runners on behalf of a variety of causes. Because of a tragic life and death in my family, the cause of battling AIDS is a personal priority for me, so I'm overcoming whatever barrier has kept me off this particular type of volunteer roster.

         For some reason, I haven't liked the idea of joining the massive motion of many muscles. Maybe I'm afraid my form will be laughable. Or worried that I can't stop whenever I want to. What if I catch a cramp? If it were to be hot and humid, my hair could become a credible Don King impersonation. Turns out the weather is forecast quite cool and I am very confident this is accurate because the first person I recruited to the Fox News Chicago Team for the AIDS Run/Walk is a real runner.. Chief Meteorologist Amy Freeze is co-captain. She runs miles and miles every week just for fun, and she's been in dozens of these pick-a-numberK runs, walks and races. Amy ran a half-marathon just last week! So, if you happen to be in or on the sidelines of tomorrow's event which steps off at 9:55am in Grant Park, keep your eye on Amy -- pay no attention to that woman tripping over her shoe laces.

      Maybe it's a stereotype, but it does seem natural for a person impaired in one area - like vision - would excel in some other way ... like music. The late great Ray Charles, Jose Feliciano and of course, the iconic Stevie Wonder, are almost as famous for being blind as for their amazing talent. However, just as the vast majority of people who are blind are NOT famous,most people visually impaired are not totally blind. "Low Vision" is hitting baby boomers fast.

      The good news is this condition can be managed: you can still have a great life and immense success. Sunday night (9/9) on Fox News Chicago at nine and Monday morning (9/10) on Good Day Chicago, meet an advertising pioneer, the Chicago man who created the largest African American communications firm in the country. Guess what? He is legally blind! He's made no secret of it, yet most people don't even register his vision challenge amidst his exceptional achievements.

    Success and blindness can go together ... not just in music! Find out more about managing vision impairment, learn more about low-vision, see how you can help yourself or others by heading to www.thechicagolighthouse.org, AND HERE'S A TIP: YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER THERE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR STEVIE WONDER'S SOLD OUT SHOW MONDAY NIGHT AT NORTHERLY ISLAND. good seats too.

 

 

THRIVE ON LIVE

MUSIC! Chicago's reputation as the Blues Capitol of the World should really be expanded to include all kinds of crowd pleasing tunes. As I was rackin' my brain to come up with the answer to "why" I love Chicago for this series we've been running on Fridays, there were just too many restaurants, shops, people, festivals, neighborhoods, events, landmarks, etc for me to possibly choose! But music is the soundtrack behind much of what we enjoy in this fabulous city. Thank goodness we support the local artists so they can share their gifts until (or in-case-they-don't) make it "big". I do wish radio stations would take a chance on good music that doesn't come packaged with major label marketing. Maybe we can make an impact there by calling and writing and requesting local original artistry? I'm betting some smart radio programmers turned away Kanye West, or Billy Corrigan! I won't even comment on the anti-talent forced into our ears because a record company convinces a broadcast company it has "what it takes" to be a hit -- I wish I could hit back! New technology and internet sales are making an impact in favor of the many independent artists who are amazingly talented. Still, it would be so much easier to just turn the dial and hear new, real talent! Haven't you heard a band or a musician or a vocalist in some lounge who SHOULD be heard worldwide?

 

Once considered a right-wing and rather heartless view of "needy" people, the idea of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps (even when you're barefoot), making yourself handy instead of taking hand-outs, self empowerment in place of government endowment ... these ideas seem to be taking hold. The Chicago Urban League recently announced it was "getting out of the social service business" in order to focus on building economic strongholds that deliver the "generational wealth" which has been so elusive in urban communities.

I recently profiled the Real Men Read program piloted by CPS this year. It is a way to improve student performance, especially boys, by tapping into the talent and charitable spirit of ordinary citizens. While educators are hoping for more funding to rescue a school system which cannot offer a decent academic experience at far too many campuses, this kind of creative strategy is part of a trend toward finding solutions from within. If you have ever been frustrated by the stories of failing schools, here's a chance to do more than throw up your hands .... lend a hand and volunteer one hour a month!

There is an initiative in the Austin community on the city's far west side which is also drawing on the talent of ordinary folks. Inspired by the well-known African proverb which observes that "it takes a village to raise a child", organizers from the Westside Health Authority asked "what does it take to make a village?" They came to the conclusion that every block should be a village. Ten years later, Every Block a Village (EBV) is behind a transformation of improved neighborhoods and empowered residents. Look for more on this amazing program on Fox News at 9 next friday night (July 6th).

Instead of waiting to be rescued, complaining and blaming outside forces, people are adopting the activist tradition once considered the bastion of left wing liberalism, and merging it with the conservative concept of individual control and responsibility. Who cares if it's right wing or left wing ... as long as it flies!