DARIUS SIMMONS: THE NEXT TRAYVON MARTIN?

Mother of Darius Simmons

Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin
Darius Simmons is a Milwaukee 13 year shot and killed by his 75 year old White next door neighbor. John H Spooner is the neighbor’s name and whether it will become as infamous as George Zimmerman remains to be seen.

Black observers should be prepared for conservative push back in the form of local Black-on-Black murder stats should they try to cast this internationally as a hate crime. We can debate conservative motives as either benign or malicious but one point remains: our self-hate crime rate eclipses that of hate crimes from elsewhere.
In my opinion every murder could be deemed a hate crime. This new case happened last week and rises to prominence amid the fog of Wisconsin’s heated recall election won by its governor. A racially incendiary case like this shouldn’t be recklessly tossed atop the state’s hot embers.
Past theft allegations from the suspect and a ” castle doctrine ” law on the books are sure to play into this latest episode of my life’s work: the ( sometimes explosive ) interplay between civil rights and public safety.
 
At issue will be this astonishing claim: the shooting erupted with the victim’s mother witnessing it and Darius Simmons was reportedly shot again in the back while fleeing!
 
Wow! If that doesn’t sound like textbook White Man’s Privilege I don’t know what does?!! The case should hinge on this assertion alone.

What we do know is a 13 year old is dead and a senior citizen did it- about as bleak a fact pattern as one will find even by today’s standards.
I agree with progressives that non-Blacks shouldn’t think they can kill young Black men with impunity despite a recent history of just that in America.
I agree with conservatives who note with painful honesty that Black communities are often conspicuously silent when Trayvon Martin and Darius Simmons peers are killed by other Black people. That’s a point I not only agree with but take light years further to consider these killers nothing more than chocolate klansmen.
With race factoring into a heated presidential election and nerves frayed over the Trayvon Martin case the question of whether Darius Simmons is the next Trayvon Martin has possibly historic consequences.
Darius Simmons supporters have their work cut out for them- as do proponents of his being at fault.

Both sides should consider the consequences of rash actions with the fate of a nation literally hanging in the balance. 


NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK promotes creative crime prevention.

 

The Challengers

August 10, 2011
by Jerry Luterman
altruism: the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others
Near midnight I stand alone in the parking lot of Gordon Park in Milwaukee.  Some time passes and then a car pulls up next to me.  From a darkened window a voice asks, “ Are you waiting for a certain group of people?”  Eyes cast downward, I answer that yes, I am.  There is anonymity at work here, and I mean to respect it.  I point to a spot in the distance and tell them to meet me there when they are ready.  I’m photographing them as part of the Portfolio section of the Wisconsin Trails September/October issue.  In a few minutes five men approach in the darkness.    Their names are the Watchman, Blackbird, Charade, the Crimson Crusader, and Electron. They are all in costume.  They are all Real Life Super Heroes.  Collectively the group is known as the Challengers.    They stand against what might be man’s most virulent kryptonite: apathy.  While most of us are falling asleep to the blue flicker of a television, the Challengers patrol the neighborhoods of Milwaukee and Madison, serving as an extra set of eyes and ears for the police while their presence acts as a deterrent to crime. They also bring food and other supplies to homeless people throughout the city and help out some local charities.  Before you scoff at the idea of men dressed up as super heroes, ask yourself this question: What have I done to better my street, my community, or for people less fortunate than me? “  I know that when I asked that question of myself, my answer fell far short of where I would have liked it to be.
Here are some answers to questions I asked of the Challengers.
The Challengers

Challengers photo by Jerry Luterman

What inspired you to do this?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               “There are two things I have always loved, superheroes and helping people, I think doing this was natural evolution of self for me. At some point I just decided the world really needs superheroes, and although I may never actually be a superhero, I figured I could at least try. “  -The Watchman

I have friends on every side of politics and work in a kind of place where people bitch about politics and race issues and all the things that people think they can’t control and make them upset.  I see this as an active approach to making your world better or doing your part.  It’s one thing to get mad about someone breaking into a car on your block, it’s another to go out and look out for this. Who does that? ” -Blackbird

Blackbird

Blackbird


The Watchman

The Watchman


Electron

Electron


” A while back, one of my best friends got robbed through his car and shot in the face. He lived, but suffered extensive damage including the loss of one eye. I’ve always pondered the idea of making non-lethal weaponry and defensive technology, but it wasn’t until then that I realized I had to do something more than just draw and wish I could make a difference. It was then that I discovered Electron, the hero I’ve always wanted to be. However, since then there have been a number of reasons to continue my work and I’m sure a number of reasons yet to be discovered. “  -Electron
” I had ideas of donning a mask and patroling the streets for around seven years now, but it didn’t seem like a realistic idea until I heard about the Real Life Superheroes. Even before the mask, I was often told that I have a “hero complex.” I’ve always admired guys like Robin Hood, Zorro, and Batman; the guys without any superpowers that still try to make the world around them a better place. And that’s exactly what I’m hoping to do.” – The Crimson Crusader

What do you typically do on patrol?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ” Patrols have changed, we used to ‘nest’ a lot and watch for things going on by just staying still and paying attention to high traffic areas.  We do a lot on mobile patrols now and mix it up.  Checking the homeless areas that we’re aware of is a high priority too, the cops don’t know about them and they’re working hard to survive so we help them with food and supplies that we imagine they need when we observe their site. “  -Blackbird

Charade

Charade


” I typically just walk around and keep an eye out for trouble. I talk to people when approached. I focus on teens since I am only recently turned 18, I can understand them better than most of the other heroes. “ -Charade
” We first look and listen to get a feel for the general atmosphere of the location we’re patrolling that night. We are looking to see how much traffic there is, both foot and vehicle, and listen to determine the general mood
people seem to be in. That gives us a good idea of what we can expect the night to be like.  As we patrol, we look for signs of any problems, such as evidence of break-ins or vandalism, and we listen for sounds that could be arguing, screeching tires, banging, breaking glass, or calls for help.  As we walk, we also talk to people and explain to them what we are doing in hopes it it may inspire others to do more to help others. “ -The Watchman
Best memory of being a Real Life Superhero?
 ”I have a gigantic portrait hanging in a French airport right now, Watchman has a huge one hanging in France at a movie theater.  That’s pretty cool, we’re just a couple of guys in Wiscons
in, but our alter-egos are nationally known. ” -Blackbird
“  Every time I suit up. It’s a great feeling to get together with like-minded people and trying to make things better in the world.” – The Crimson Crusader
Crimson Crusader

Crimson Crusader

Advice for others who might want to go down the same road?

” I think people need to do it for the right reason, there’s a fine line between an rlsh ( Real Life Super Hero ) wanting to do right and a sociopath that want’s to make up for their personal shortcomings with aggressive behavior towards people. “ -Blackbird

The Challengers are part of the Portfolio section called ” The Guardians ” within the September/October issue of Wisconsin Trails magazine.  Featured within it are portraits and stories of Wisconsin people who are making a difference.

Milwaukee GLA Toy Drive

Date: December 17, 2010
Where: People Serving People.
614 South Third Street  Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415
From Razorhawk:

The GLA toy drive is taking monetary donations at our site www.glhg.info there is a donation button on the left side of the screen. All donations recieved will be split between the Minnesota and Wisconsin branches of the team. We are accepting donations up until Dec. 10th as the Minnesota group consisting of Geist and I, hopefully Legacy and Celtic Viking as well will need to deliver the toys to People Serving People on December 17th.

References:
http://www.therlsh.net/bulletin-board-f23/milwaukee-gla-toy-drive-news-t6531.htm
http://heroesinthenight.blogspot.com/2010/11/watchman-goes-to-campus-2.html
 

Costumed crime fighter watches Milwaukee

Originally posted: http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/10/04/Costumed-crime-fighter-watches-Milwaukee/UPI-51441286227453/
MILWAUKEE, Oct. 4 (UPI) — Somebody in Milwaukee is on a personal anti-crime crusade — and he’s got the costume to prove it, observers say.
Armed with a flashlight and pepper spray, the Watchman — he won’t give his real name — patrols the streets of Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood dressed all in black except for a bright red face mask and a large yellow W on his shirt, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
“I’m what people refer to as a real-life superhero,” the 6-foot, 200-pound, 30-something crime fighter says.
“Somebody needs to do something,” explains the Watchman, who says he thought about becoming a police officer before donning his mask.
“While most reactions to what I do are positive, there are a few negative responses,” he says, adding that the disguise protects his family — a wife and two young sons — from any of that.
“I’m the one who decided to do this, not them,” he says. “They should not have to suffer for it.”
Despite the pepper spray, he says his cellphone is his weapon of choice, the newspaper said.
“It’s about reporting it,” he says. “Contacting police, or getting an ambulance out here if it’s a medical situation.”
Super powers? None, he says. “I’m just a guy. I may look a little funny, but I’m just a guy. And I’m out here to let everybody know that they can do their part.”

GLHG Toy Drive 2009

Before you read the body of the text below, I am unable to post a link to our website that will allow you to click on the link and go there from this bulletin. You will need to copy and paste it into your browser if you would like to help us out. The link is: http://www.glhg.webs.com/psptoydrive.htm
I also want to let everyone know that again we will be adding to our efforts with our team members in Wisconsin and Florida to also make an impact there. In Wisconsin, the Watchman will be helping out the Gingerbread House
And in Florida we will hopefully be helping at the Pregnancy Care Center in Zephyr Hills.
Now we have had some wonderful donations from a couple of our good friends, but we need more. We want these kids at these locations to have a wonderful holiday! And sometimes the only way we can do this is by helping out with even $1. I tell you if every one of our respective friends donated just $1 we would have an awesome haul of toys to affect kids in all three states!
People Serving People in Minnesota.
The Gingerbread House in Wisconsin
The Pregnancy Care Center in Florida
These are all places where people who have been hit hard by the world go for help. The people that donate their time at these places do what they can and do a wonderful job, but they don’t have the resources to have collection boxes in every Wal*Mart or Target. They all rely on word of mouth, and right now that word of mouth is ours. I am still trying desperately to get at least one local store to allow us to put up a collection box expressly for the People Serving People part of the drive, but have had no response from the owner of the place. But I will keep trying. Its early, but I would like to work at this now, knowing that the closer we get to Christmas, the harder it is for anyone to help.
Thank you for your time in reading this, and remember, if you can donate $1 or if you can donate in the package toys, please contact Jack about donating the actual toys, he can accept them being sent to Hero Gear. You can contact him at [email protected] or at myspace.com/herogeardotnet
Lets rock the world this year and show everyone that we can make one heck of an impact!
RazorHawk
Great Lakes Heroes Guild

 

Milwaukee's Real-Life Superhero

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – Move over, Spiderman!  Here comes “the Watchman.”
He’s a real-life super-hero, keeping his eyes on Milwaukee.
“The Watchman” looks out for people who could be getting themselves in trouble — who mistakenly walk into a dark alley or a badly lit area and become an easy target.
He’s especially active around the time when bars close.
“Real-life super heroes” is a growing movement.
They now have an estimated 300 members patrolling cities across the country.
http://www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11544222

32nd annual Briggs & Al's Run; Walk for Children's Hospital Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009

Message from Razorhawk:
A friend of mine, whom some members of the GLHG know as well, asked me to participate in a great charity event for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. It is the Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, or simply “Al’s Run”. I agreed instantly because I am well aware of the good that this hospital has done. However, several people involved know me and aren’t aware that I am The Watchman. Therefore, I will be participating in this one as my-civillian-self. I have gotten a few other folks who are involved in the RLSH community in some form on board as well. Despite doing this one sans masks, we are hoping that all of you will contribute what you can. Don’t be fooled by the name, the good done by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is not limited to one state. Many people come from all over the country for the care provided by this hospital.
Here is just is an example provided by the leader of the team I’ll be walking for:
_____ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____
Hello Everyone-
For a little background story – our daughter Katie, who is now 3, was diagnosed in utero with hydrocephalus, a condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid does not flow correctly out of the brain, through the spinal cord, and then eventually is excreted from the body. Hydrocephalus blocks this flow from the brain, resulting in increased intracranial pressure, which can quickly lead to brain damage, coma, and if left untreated long enough, death. Hydrocephalus is a serious neurologic condition, and many people with it have life long effects with mental disabilities and motor skill impairment.
Katie was born at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin , and was a patient in the NICU there. She had a shunt put in at 2 days old which diverts the excess fluid from her brain, and drains it into her belly. She was discharged home from the hospital 2 days later, and has lived an absolutely normal and happy life, with none of the mental or physical handicaps that we were told she would almost certainly have.
Katie’s life was great until January of this year when she began experiences frequent, severe headaches. To make a long, long story a little shorter, it culminated in Katie have 6 surgeries to revise her shunt in just a 6 week period of time this year, from March 31 – May 20. Without her shunt and Children’s Hospital managing her care, Katie could be severely handicapped right now, or even worse. A person with hydrocephalus cannot survive this condition without a shunt and sometimes frequent medical care.
Children’s Hospital is obviously very important to us – they have saved or child’s life and have greatly increased her quality of life. Things could very easily be quite different for Katie. Chances are, if you live in Wisconsin or even Illinois , you probably know some child that was helped through Children’s. This is not just for us and our child, but this will benefits thousands of children throughout the country. Families even travel from throughout the United States and even other countries because the care at Children’s is so awesome.
Here is some info on the walk, and if you cannot attend please donate to our donation site, it doesn’t matter how little the donation is – anything will help. We have an ambitious goal of $1000 for our first year – please help us meet that goal for the kids!
Event Info:
Join us for the 32nd annual Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.
START LINE: 12th Street and Wisconsin Avenue on the Marquette University campus
Wheelchair: 10:15 a.m.
Only self-propelled manual wheelchairs. Assemble in front of the start line.
Runner mass start: 10:30 a.m.
Elite runners line up at the front of the pack. All other runners, line up according to your estimated pace.
Walkers: Immediately follow runners
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
One part that she did not mention is that there was a balance amount of over $6,000 which her family’s health insurance didn’t cover for the multiple nuerosurgeries. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin wiped it clean so they owe nothing out of pocket. They do the same for many other famillies.
We at the GLHG have also set up a donation page so if you’d like to help out, and we hope you all will, go to:
http://www.firstgiving.com/razorhawk
She has a goal of raising $1,000 between members of her team, but she’s not counting on us. Let’s see if we can beat that.

32nd annual Briggs and Al's Run; Walk for Children's Hospital Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009

Message from Razorhawk:
A friend of mine, whom some members of the GLHG know as well, asked me to participate in a great charity event for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. It is the Briggs and Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, or simply “Al’s Run”. I agreed instantly because I am well aware of the good that this hospital has done. However, several people involved know me and aren’t aware that I am The Watchman. Therefore, I will be participating in this one as my-civillian-self. I have gotten a few other folks who are involved in the RLSH community in some form on board as well. Despite doing this one sans masks, we are hoping that all of you will contribute what you can. Don’t be fooled by the name, the good done by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is not limited to one state. Many people come from all over the country for the care provided by this hospital.
Here is just is an example provided by the leader of the team I’ll be walking for:
_____ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____
Hello Everyone-
For a little background story – our daughter Katie, who is now 3, was diagnosed in utero with hydrocephalus, a condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid does not flow correctly out of the brain, through the spinal cord, and then eventually is excreted from the body. Hydrocephalus blocks this flow from the brain, resulting in increased intracranial pressure, which can quickly lead to brain damage, coma, and if left untreated long enough, death. Hydrocephalus is a serious neurologic condition, and many people with it have life long effects with mental disabilities and motor skill impairment.
Katie was born at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin , and was a patient in the NICU there. She had a shunt put in at 2 days old which diverts the excess fluid from her brain, and drains it into her belly. She was discharged home from the hospital 2 days later, and has lived an absolutely normal and happy life, with none of the mental or physical handicaps that we were told she would almost certainly have.
Katie’s life was great until January of this year when she began experiences frequent, severe headaches. To make a long, long story a little shorter, it culminated in Katie have 6 surgeries to revise her shunt in just a 6 week period of time this year, from March 31 – May 20. Without her shunt and Children’s Hospital managing her care, Katie could be severely handicapped right now, or even worse. A person with hydrocephalus cannot survive this condition without a shunt and sometimes frequent medical care.
Children’s Hospital is obviously very important to us – they have saved or child’s life and have greatly increased her quality of life. Things could very easily be quite different for Katie. Chances are, if you live in Wisconsin or even Illinois , you probably know some child that was helped through Children’s. This is not just for us and our child, but this will benefits thousands of children throughout the country. Families even travel from throughout the United States and even other countries because the care at Children’s is so awesome.
Here is some info on the walk, and if you cannot attend please donate to our donation site, it doesn’t matter how little the donation is – anything will help. We have an ambitious goal of $1000 for our first year – please help us meet that goal for the kids!
Event Info:
Join us for the 32nd annual Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.
START LINE: 12th Street and Wisconsin Avenue on the Marquette University campus
Wheelchair: 10:15 a.m.
Only self-propelled manual wheelchairs. Assemble in front of the start line.
Runner mass start: 10:30 a.m.
Elite runners line up at the front of the pack. All other runners, line up according to your estimated pace.
Walkers: Immediately follow runners
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
One part that she did not mention is that there was a balance amount of over $6,000 which her family’s health insurance didn’t cover for the multiple nuerosurgeries. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin wiped it clean so they owe nothing out of pocket. They do the same for many other famillies.
We at the GLHG have also set up a donation page so if you’d like to help out, and we hope you all will, go to:
http://www.firstgiving.com/razorhawk
She has a goal of raising $1,000 between members of her team, but she’s not counting on us. Let’s see if we can beat that.
 

Briggs & Als Run Walk for Children's Hospital Update

To make a donation, please visit the Great Lakes Heroes Guild donation page at: http://firstgiving.com/razorhawk
Message from Razorhawk:
Pledge to make a difference
I am participating in the Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 because I want to make a difference in the life of a child. Please help me reach my pledge raising goal by making a tax-deductable donation today. Your support will help Children’s continue to provide the top-notch care kids deserve. Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk for Children’s Hospital is the oldest run & walk in the state of Wisconsin and one of the largest combined 8K events in the United States. Because of outstanding community support, corporate sponsorships and active pledge raising, the event has raised more than $10.3 million over the past 30 years.
Children’s is growing up
Pledges raised this year will benefit our west tower addition. As one of the nation’s busiest pediatric hospitals, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is growing faster than expected. Children’s needed additional beds and clinic space to continue to provide the best care for kids. The12-story tower opened in March 2009 and includes 60 new private rooms, with space for additional rooms in the future. It also allowed us to convert ALL patient rooms to private spaces. In planning the tower, Children’s recognized the need to make each room warm, comfortable and welcoming. The new patient rooms have many features designed to make each family’s stay as easy as possible.