Don’t Blow It MKE Hosts Special Edition of #AtTheForeFront to Talk Black Lives Matter, Protesting Police Brutality and Changing Legislation

Black women have been at the forefront fighting against racism and police brutality since the beginning.

For every Martin Luther King Jr., there is a Rosa Parks, and for every Father James Groppi there is a Vel Phillips.  

After witnessing George Floyd’s death at the hand of Minneapolis Police officers, people of all races have come together across the country and the world to denounce racism and police brutality.

Don’t Blow It MKE hosted a special edition of #AtTheForeFront to discuss Black women’s power in 2020. Miela Fetaw, journalist and activist, hosted the panel, which included: Alicia Garza, Imani Ray, Nyesha Stone and Debra Jenkins-Simmons.

“We all know that Black women are the driving force behind all community movements and it’s important, especially now, that we do not forget that,” Fetaw said.

Alicia Garza founded Black Future’s Lab, which conducted the largest survey in Black communities in over 150 years, and was the co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter.

The BLM movement sparked after George Zimmerman, a vigilante, murdered 17-year-old Trayvon Martin for walking in a gated community with his hood up. Garza was upset at the way people reacted after the verdict. It was her post that initiated the charge, that sent #BlackLivesMatter worldwide.

“That post really came from my gut—my soul,” Garza said. “My brother was growing up in a community that Trayvon was stalked and killed in.”

She said many times the government and community are rushed to the healing process before any kind of change can be made. But, Black Lives Matter has been pounding at the door for legislative change.

“I feel grateful to be a part of something that is giving people a new kind of language to understand what it is that we’re fighting for, and to believe that we are worth fighting for, and our humanity should be assured,” she said. 

Unfortunately, Milwaukee and cities across the country have endured the trauma and loss at the hands of police brutality and racism too many times because one time is enough.

In 2002, Debra Jenkins-Simmons lost her only son to a MPD officer. Larry Jenkins was 31-years-old, and his death was one of the first high-profile cases in Milwaukee.

Her son was riding with a white friend, when an officer pulled them over for allegedly running a red light. After being searched, and nothing on him, he ran. Several blocks over, his aunt and several family friends were in a car, and let him get in the passenger seat. Officer Kurt Lacina jumped on the hood of the car and shot him.

“There were so many depositions, so many stories, and I have them all in my home. It was sort of hard for me at first when this happened,” Jenkins-Simmons said.

She took the case to federal court.

“It wasn’t about me going to court for money. It was about making a difference and stopping police shootings. I wanted to stop young men from getting shot and killed in the City of Milwaukee and all over,” she said.

She lost the trial, but it didn’t break her. It’s been 18 years since her son’s murder, and she said it’s time for some real change in legislation and police training.

“Marches are not going to make a difference until we get to the table and change these laws and policies. We need to get out and vote, and get these people that have these stale laws that have been on the books for decades,” Debra-Jenkins said.

Imani Ray, Natural E Beautiful owner and activist, has been marching alongside other local youth in Milwaukee. She said she listened to their concerns and frustrations. She said along with informing them on why they were out there, she was educating them on the importance of voting. 

“They need to know the power in their voice, but also, the power in their vote,” Ray said.

Ray has had friends reach out that felt guilty for not being able to be on the frontlines marching, but people can contribute to the movement in many ways. Whether it’s creating signs, donating water and snacks or even spreading the positive message online in their everyday life, it all makes a difference.

“If your capacity isn’t at a place where you can walk in a march, there are several other things to support,” Ray said.

Nyesha Stone, Carvd N Stone Founder, said while she is out of state, it has been mentally difficult not being in her community marching.

“These last few days I’ve been really going through it, and I know I should be doing more because just covering the news just isn’t enough,” Stone said.

Stone decided to give out a $1,200 emergency entrepreneur grant to a Milwaukee area entrepreneur.

“It’s my way of helping out because we’re all struggling, and I’ve been blessed during this time, so I decided to give back,” Stone said.

While marches across the world have drawn attention to racism and police brutality, Garza reiterated that along with altering dated legislation and police protocol, rebuilding a powerful Black community was another major step in creating change.

“Invest in organizations that are building power for our communities and with our communities. There’s a lot of temptation in this moment to support big, National organizations that do big things. I want to offer what is really important, building Black infrastructure,” Garza said.

Click here, to watch the full panel.