Riverwest Rising
It’s hard to say where it started. The first “event” could be marked as the racist rally downtown last November. Add to it an undercurrent of widespread frustration stemming from innumerable social ills: a dismal economy; a confusing, seemingly interminable “war on terrorism”; continually decreasing funds for education; a less than successful attempt at welfare reform; long term high unemployment, with hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of Americans having exhausted both benefits and their savings. The list, as they say, goes on and on.
In the Riverwest neighborhood, where Vital Source has its offices (as well as sister businesses Bremen Café and The Guardian), signs of unrest have been building over recent months. We’ve come a long way since the early 90s, with areas along Center, Locust and Clarke, as well as pockets throughout the area, blossoming with successful businesses, due in large part to the dedication of early pioneers like Fuel Café and Linneman’s. Home owner occupation is at decades-high levels; property values have (legitimately) increased. Children of all races play along the sidewalks as hipsters, artists and working class Joes walk the streets.
The gauntlet of hate is thrown down.
So, as a community, we’ve been collectively horrified over the last several weeks by disturbing events, which, until very recently, have been passed over by both the mainstream media and, if you ask people around here, the serious attention of law enforcement officials. First it was a series of dumpster/garbage can fires set by arsonists with gasoline. Then the now publicized beatings of several residents by groups of youth, often on bicycles. Scean Rose, owner of Riverhorse, a club in the 700 block of E. Center, has reported “frequent” incidents of purse snatchings and worse outside his bar, in plain sight of patrons. In the words of John Mellencamp, it’s hard times for an honest man.
People are understandably shaken. And in the midst of the crisis, the gauntlet of hatred has been thrown down. On Saturday, July 12, racist flyers were distributed throughout Riverwest by a group calling itself RAM- the Riverwest Anti-Nigger Movement. The handbill called for “you niggers to vacate all white premises IMMEDIATELY!” There’s more, and it’s even worse. In fact, it’s obscene. It was meant to frighten, to breed hostility and paranoia, to pit neighbor against neighbor. But it has backfired.
Riverwest will be walking. And watching.
On July 14, two meetings were held. Notice of the first, held at Onopa Brewing Co., spread by word of mouth for less than a day. Over 50 people attended, even though the meeting was held in the afternoon before many people were home from work. It was mostly younger people, and action was the agenda. Led by Rose, the group began to organize a volunteer neighborhood patrol, seven days a week, from early evening to the wee hours of the morning. Dozens volunteered their time. Local politicians, including Alderwoman Marlene Johnson-Odom, Alderman Mike D’Amato and County Supervisor Willie Johnson were in attendance, as were a few members of the media.
The frustration of both residents and business owners was evident. “Where are the police when we call?” asked one, leading to a barrage of anecdotes about slow response times and general apathy on the part of uniformed officers. D’Amato attempted to calm frayed nerves with a plea to continue to “use proper channels,” and a promise that his office would make sure that all complaints of which he was made aware would receive proper attention. He went on to say that 5th District Capt. Vince Flores had been invited to attend, but “must have had another commitment.” Eyes rolled and quiet expressions of irony sounded from the assembled group. If anything, it confirmed residents’ conviction to be proactive, not to wait for law enforcement to make it all better. We know, as D’Amato quickly pointed out, that we are in a heavily patrolled area. But we share our district with affluent Brady and Water Streets, as well as areas with high violent crime rates, and that makes it tough for a fledgling community vying for equal time.
So get ready for Dog Walk, Riverwest’s answer to self-empowerment. As proposed, volunteers will walk in groups of two or three, with their dogs, patrolling Humboldt to Holton, from Locust to Meinecke. They’ll carry cell phones, walk people home, and generally keep an eye on things after the sun goes down. Area businesses and homes will also post signs to let it be known they are watching. It may be effective. It may escalate tensions. But it’s action. And that’s what’s needed.
The people mobilize.
The mood was positive, with numerous testimonials from neighborhood folk. Actions were proposed, from a yard sign campaign to the creation of a Riverwest-specific anonymous tip line. And the best part? These people were serious about turning rhetoric into results. After the meeting, subcommittees formed around picnic tables in the four corners of the shelter. Names were exchanged, more meetings set.
Will these small deeds create big change? Will a neighborhood mobilized kick the seeds of hate from the soil before they can grow? According to Martin, “Riverwest is a positive, growing, evolving and diverse community. And we came together as a community tonight to offset this evil message of racism, to build this positivity and to show our commitment as a community to build a neighborhood that celebrates our diversity.”
A benefit to raise money for the proposed programs is scheduled for August 14th. Call Peace Action Network at 414.964.5158 for more information.
